Abstract: A double-clutch gearchange presenting: two primary shafts; a secondary shaft; a plurality of pairs of gear wheels, each of which couples mechanically the primary shaft, to the secondary shaft, defines a respective gear speed, and has a primary gear wheel mounted on the primary shaft and a secondary gear wheel that is mounted on the secondary shaft and meshes permanently with the primary gear wheel; a plurality of synchronizers, each of which is mounted coaxial to a shaft between two gear wheels of two pairs of gears and is designed to be actuated for engaging alternatively the two gear wheels to the shaft; a plurality of forks, which actuate the synchronizers and are divided into two distinct groups, each of which is associated to a respective primary shaft; two fingers, each of which is associated to a set of forks for actuating all and exclusively the forks of the set of forks themselves; a single control shaft; and a single gear actuator connected to the control shaft.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission unit for a motor vehicle is adapted to transmit the movement to an automatic gear change provided with two ranks of gears; the transmission unit has a rotary movement input member adapted to be driven in rotation by the engine of the motor vehicle and two output shafts which are adapted to be rigidly connected to respective input shafts of the gear change and bear respective clutch devices which are adapted to receive the movement from the rotary member and are each associated with a relative rank of gears of the gear change; one of the clutch devices is disengaged and the other is engaged in sequence by an actuator device provided with a single actuator and a movement sleeve coaxial with one another.

Abstract: A dual clutch transmission unit for a motor vehicle is adapted to transmit the movement to an automatic gear change provided with two ranks of gears; the transmission unit has a rotary movement input member adapted to be driven in rotation by the engine of the motor vehicle and two output shafts which are adapted to be rigidly connected to respective input shafts of the gear change and bear respective clutch devices which are adapted to receive the movement from the rotary member and are each associated with a relative rank of gears of the gear change; one of the clutch devices is disengaged and the other is engaged in sequence by an actuator device provided with a single actuator and a movement sleeve coaxial with one another.

Abstract: Device for controlling a clutch, which is connected to an actuator, which can activate the clutch itself; the control device comprises a position sensor, which can detect the position of the clutch, in order to supply a measuring position signal to a main control device, which receives as input information signals, and generates as output a control signal to control the actuator, a monitoring circuit, which can detect a state of malfunctioning of the position sensor, in order to supply a malfunctioning signal, and an auxiliary control device, which can be activated in the presence of a malfunctioning signal, in order to transfer control of the actuator from the main control device to the auxiliary control device.

Abstract: A transmission unit for a vehicle has a clutch unit provided with a flywheel adapted to be coupled to a drive shaft of the vehicle, and a motion output shaft adapted to be connected to an input shaft of a gear change, the transmission unit further comprising a braking device of the output shaft and a single actuator unit common to the clutch unit and the braking device in order to actuate this braking device when the clutch unit is in a disengaged condition.

Abstract: Gear selector device of an automatic transmission in which a first lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an down-shift of the gear and a second lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an up-shift of the gear engaged. The first and the second lever produce respective second operating positions to control the following operations: the engagement of reverse gear; the selection of an automatic mode of operation of the automatic transmission; and the selection of a ‘sports’-type of mode of operation of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a clutch of a vehicle wherein an actuator is connected to and provides for operating the clutch, the work position of which is determined by a position sensor which supplies a measured position signal to a control device receiving an information signal and supplying a control signal for the actuator; the control device has a monitor circuit for determining malfunctioning of the position sensor and supplying a fault signal; and a virtual sensor device for estimating the work position of the clutch to supply the control device, in the presence of the fault signal, with a virtual position signal instead of the measured position signal.

Abstract: Gear selector device of an automatic transmission in which a first lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an down-shift of the gear and a second lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an up-shift of the gear engaged. The first and the second lever produce respective second operating positions to control the following operations: the engagement of reverse gear; the selection of an automatic mode of operation of the automatic transmission; and the selection of a ‘sports’-type of mode of operation of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a clutch of a vehicle wherein an actuator is connected to and provides for operating the clutch, the work position of which is determined by a position sensor which supplies a measured position signal to a control device receiving an information signal and supplying a control signal for the actuator; the control device has a monitor circuit for determining malfunctioning of the position sensor and supplying a fault signal; and a virtual sensor device for estimating the work position of the clutch to supply the control device, in the presence of the fault signal, with a virtual position signal instead of the measured position signal.

Abstract: Device for controlling a clutch, which is connected to an actuator, which can activate the clutch itself; the control device comprises a position sensor, which can detect the position of the clutch, in order to supply a measuring position signal to a main control device, which receives as input information signals, and generates as output a control signal to control the actuator, a monitoring circuit, which can detect a state of malfunctioning of the position sensor, in order to supply a malfunctioning signal, and an auxiliary control device, which can be activated in the presence of a malfunctioning signal, in order to transfer control of the actuator from the main control device to the auxiliary control device.

Abstract: A control device for a gear change of a vehicle comprising a support structure, a control member borne by the support structure such that it can move in translation along a first axis and rotate about this axis in order to carry out a maneuver to select the row of gears and a maneuver to engage or disengage these gears, an actuator cooperating with the control member in order to rotate it about the first axis and dispose it, for each row of gears, in a neutral position and two engagement positions of respective gears, and a cam and tappet unit interposed between the support structure and the control member which can be selectively actuated in order axially to displace the control member by a predetermined amount during the actuation of the actuator; the cam and tappet unit comprises a tappet member borne by the support structure and a guide member rigid with the control member and provided with a series of cams parallel to one another and each adapted to be selectively engaged by the tappet member in order to

Abstract: For a transmission group comprising a gearbox and an actuating group coupled to the gearbox for commanding engagement/disengagement of the gears, the method comprises the steps of generating at least one command signal for the actuating group having, during a first operating step of a gear change manoeuvre, a width the time pattern of which comprises at least one first section wherein the width of the command signal increases in substantially linear fashion according to an increase coefficient from an initial value to an intermediate value; and of calculating the increase coefficient and the initial and intermediate values in relation to at least one first operative reference value representing the shift of gear to be effected during the gear change manoeuvre and a correction value representing the style of driving the vehicle.

Abstract: A control device for a gearbox of a vehicle is provided with fixed support. A control element carried by the fixed support is able to move along a first axis to carry out a gear rank selection operation and also able to rotate about the first axis to carry out a gear engagement/disengagement operation. An actuator having an output element movable along a second axis is orthogonal to the first axis and cooperating with the control element to rotate it about the first axis. An engagement element carried in an integral manner by the control element is also provided. A cam which can be activated selectively and is suitable for cooperating in a sliding manner with the engagement element to displace the control element axially by a predetermined quantity during the rotation of the control element about the first axis is included. Selective activation of the cam during the gear selection operation is possible.

Abstract: Control device for a transmission unit comprising a clutch and a gear shift which are coupled respectively to a first and a second actuator unit in order to operate the actuation of the clutch and the selection and engagement/disengagement of the gears. The device comprises a transmission control circuit in which a main microprocessor formulates control signals for the first and second actuator unit and an auxiliary microprocessor determines a state of malfunctioning of the main microprocessor in order to transfer the control of the transmission unit to the auxiliary microprocessor in the event of a fault.

Abstract: The detection device engages with a selector rod able to move in axial translation and in angular rotation to select the row of the gear and engage/disengage the gear in a vehicle gearbox. The detection device comprises a rotary sensor provided with an activating member and able to output a signal correlated with the angular position of the activating member, and a motion conversion device interposed between the activating member and the selector rod and able to convert the movements of both translation and rotation of the selector rod into a rotation of the activating member. The motion conversion device comprises a supporting part fixed on the selector rod and having a cam defining a striker surface extending along a portion of a helix, and a follower fixed on the activating member and having a contact portion able to slide along the aforesaid striker surface.

Abstract: A fluid-controlled actuator assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle. The actuator is provided with a four-position mobile element, with a first and a second chamber separated in a sealed manner from the mobile element, and with auxiliary positioning elements suitable for determining a stop position of the mobile element. Also included are first and second solenoid valves suitable for supplying pressurized fluid respectively to the first and to the second chamber and for discharging it from them, such that when the fluid is supplied into both the chambers, the mobile element is maintained by the auxiliary positioning elements in the stop position. When the fluid is supplied into one of the chambers and is discharged from the other, the mobile element adopts one of two lateral positions with respect to the stop position.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling a motor vehicle drive unit, which system comprises a hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a control member controlling selection and engagement of the gears on the vehicle transmission; a hydraulic actuator for actuating a control member controlling the clutch; and an electronic control system for processing input signals relative to operating parameters of the drive unit and vehicle in general, and for controlling the actuators to varying degrees of automation. In particular, the control system produces variable control signals for respective porportional solenoid valves controlling the actuators, so as to vary hydraulic supply to the actuators and consequently the actuating force of the same, for simulating operation by a skilled driver; the aforementioned control system also providing, when shifting gear, for controlling the speed of the engine so as to minimize slippage of the clutch.

Abstract: A generator set includes a prime mover and a three-phase asynchronous electrical machine coupled to this prime mover and acting as a generator. In addition, at least one set of three delta-connected excitation capacitors is provided, the vertices of the delta-connection each being connected to a respective phase of the electrical machine. A respective inductor is connected in series with each of the said capacitors so as to form at least one set of three L-C series resonators. The resonant frequency of the or each set of resonators is substantially equal to a corresponding predetermined odd harmonic of the frequency of the voltage delivered by the generator. In parallel with each phase of the electrical machine there is also connected a saturable reactor acting as a voltage regulator.