Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes: a dual clutch transmission having first and second sub-transmissions having respective first and second clutches and first and second synchronizers, and an electric motor rotationally coupled to the second sub-transmission for common rotation therewith; and a control system including a hybrid controller and a transmission controller with the HCP being a supervisory controller, wherein the control system is configured to execute an engine clutch start procedure using the electric motor, and wherein the procedure eliminates hard vehicle speed limits, provides smooth wheel torque during the procedure, and increases a number of transmission gears available for the procedure.

Abstract: A mild hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine; a low voltage electric starter/generator motor of a belt-driven starter/generator (BSG) unit connected to a crankshaft of the engine, wherein the electric starter/generator motor is powered by a low voltage battery system; a hybrid dual clutch transmission (DCT) coupled to an output of the engine, wherein the DCT includes an electric traction motor; and a control system configured to control the engine, the dual clutch hybrid transmission and the electric traction motor to charge the high voltage battery system while the vehicle is in a standstill condition or a neutral gear state and the low voltage motor of the BSG unit is not used to charge the high voltage battery.

Abstract: An emissions control technique for a mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV) includes determining a constant torque level to be generated by an engine for optimal heating of a catalyst to a light-off temperature, controlling the engine to maintain the constant torque level when an electric traction motor is capable of satisfying a driver torque request, wherein the electric traction motor is connected to a driveline of the MHEV and is temporarily disconnected from the engine, and when the electric traction motor is incapable of satisfying the driver torque request, controlling the engine to temporarily increase or decrease its torque output from the constant torque level to assist the electric traction motor in satisfying the driver torque request.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor, a motor/generator, and a transmission. A launch control system includes a controller having one or more processors programmed to (A) operate the HEV in a vehicle launch preparation phase while the HEV is at a standstill, including (i) commanding the internal combustion engine to an engine speed launch target, (ii) performing a spark retardation on the internal combustion engine to limit wheel torque and generate an engine airflow torque reserve, and (iii) commanding zero torque to the electric traction motor; and (B) operate the HEV in a vehicle launch phase, including (i) reducing or removing the spark retardation, and (ii) commanding the electric traction motor to operate at a predetermined torque, to thereby utilize the engine airflow torque reserve in combination with the electric traction motor to provide increased vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a transmission having shiftable gears, an electric motor coupled for common therewith, and a synchronizer controllable for coupling the transmission to a driveline; friction brakes; a control system including a hybrid control unit, a brake control unit and a transmission control unit, wherein the hybrid control unit functions as a supervisory controller over the transmission control unit and the brake control unit and wherein the hybrid control unit is configured to coordinate control among the transmission control unit and brake control unit to compensate for unavailability of electric motor regeneration torque during an upcoming transmission gear shift event and blend in the friction brakes to provide a continuous and smooth deceleration of the electrified vehicle during the transmission shift event.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for finishing surfaces comprises a support body (10) configured to removably engage a finishing member (20), and a displacement device (40) configured to move the support body (10) in space according to at least one degree of freedom. The apparatus (1) provides at least one shaping station (250) at which the raw member (20?) is positioned to give it a predetermined shape, in such a way to obtain a finishing member, in particular a finishing member (20) which is, therefore, positioned at the three-dimensional surface to be finished to finish the same.

Abstract: A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional object includes delivering, using a delivery system, a biocompatible fluid substance comprising a plurality of particles towards a support body having a matrix surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness configured for coating the matrix surface, generating a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the support body and the delivery system, and removing from the support body any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer. The support body is coated with the biocompatible fluid substance to obtain a three-dimensional object having an object surface corresponding to the matrix surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for carrying out the replacement of an abrasive element (20) in a machine (100) for finishing surfaces, comprises a support body (10) configured to reversibly engage the abrasive element (20). The support body (10) and the abrasive element (20) provide, at respective engagement surfaces (15,25), mutual engagement members of removable type (16,26) configured to move from an engagement position to a disengagement position by rotating about a rotational axis (110) in a first sense of rotation e, from the disengagement position to the engagement position, by rotating about the rotational axis (110) in a second sense of rotation opposite to the first one. The apparatus furthermore, comprises a displacement device (40) for moving the support body (10) in the space according to at least 1 degree of freedom.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying the presence, or the absence, of an abrasive element in a machine for finishing surfaces comprising a support body configured to removably engage the abrasive element. The support body and the abrasive element are, respectively, provided, at respective engagement surfaces with first and second engagement elements configured to move from an engagement configuration to a disengagement configuration, and vice versa. Furthermore, a displacement device is provided to move the support body in the space according to at least 1 degree of freedom. The apparatus, furthermore, provides at least a control station equipped with a control device comprising a control element having a control surface provided with third engagement elements configured to engage with the first engagement elements of the support body, and a detection device configured to detect if an engagement between the control element and the support body has taken place.

Abstract: A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional object includes delivering, using a delivery system, a biocompatible fluid substance comprising a plurality of particles towards a support body having a matrix surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness configured for coating the matrix surface, generating a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the support body and the delivery system, and removing from the support body any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer. The support body is coated with the biocompatible fluid substance to obtain a three-dimensional object having an object surface corresponding to the matrix surface.

Abstract: An interspinous fusion device includes a central body defining a longitudinal direction and configured to be inserted between two adjacent spinous processes; and a proximal body and a distal body, opposite to each other with respect to the central body and configured to relatively translate towards each other along the longitudinal direction. A pair of proximal jaws and a pair of distal jaws opposite to each other with respect to the central body are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, and have a first end connected by hinges to the proximal body or to the distal body and a second end configured to abut against a spinous process. An actuation system percutaneously actuates the proximal and distal bodies to cause relative translation and rotation of the jaws about the proximal body and the distal body, thereby opening and closing the jaws.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a biocompatible three-dimensional object including at least one delivery unit arranged to deliver at least one biocompatible fluid substance towards a support body having a matrix surface to obtain a coating layer of a predetermined thickness configured for coating the matrix surface. Furthermore, a handling unit is provided arranged to provide a relative movement according to at least 3 degrees of freedom between the support body and each delivery unit. The support body is arranged to be coated by the delivered biocompatible fluid substance, in order to obtain a three-dimensional object having an object surface copying the matrix surface of the support body.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing surgery includes a first link that includes a first end and a second end, a second link that includes a first end and a second end, and an end effector positioned at the first end of the first link. The first end of the second link is coupled to the first link by a hinge. The end effector traces along a surface, which may be spherical or hemispherical. A system that includes the apparatus and an imaging device, such as a CT scanner, is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for carrying out the replacement of an abrasive element (20) in a machine (100) for finishing surfaces, comprises a support body (10) configured to reversibly engage the abrasive element (20). The support body (10) and the abrasive element (20) provide, at respective engagement surfaces (15,25), mutual engagement members of removable type (16,26) configured to move from an engagement position to a disengagement position by rotating about a rotational axis (110) in a first sense of rotation e, from the disengagement position to the engagement position, by rotating about the rotational axis (110) in a second sense of rotation opposite to the first one. The apparatus furthermore, comprises a displacement device (40) for moving the support body (10) in the space according to at least 1 degree of freedom.

Abstract: An interspinous fusion device includes a central body defining a longitudinal direction and configured to be inserted between two adjacent spinous processes; and a proximal body and a distal body, opposite to each other with respect to the central body and configured to relatively translate towards each other along the longitudinal direction. A pair of proximal jaws and a pair of distal jaws opposite to each other with respect to the central body are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, and have a first end connected by hinges to the proximal body or to the distal body and a second end configured to abut against a spinous process. An actuation system percutaneously actuates the proximal and distal bodies to cause relative translation and rotation of the jaws about the proximal body and the distal body, thereby opening and closing the jaws.

Abstract: A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional heart valve includes delivering, using at least one delivery unit, a biocompatible fluid substance towards a mold having a mold surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness that coats the mold surface, where the biocompatible fluid substance includes a plurality of particles; handling the mold and the delivery unit to provide a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the mold and the delivery unit, the mold coated with the biocompatible fluid substance that is delivered to obtain a three-dimensional heart valve having a surface corresponding to the mold surface; removing, using a suction and blowing device, from the mold any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance dispensed to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer; and pressing a counter mold on the coating layer deposited on the mold after delivering the biocompatible fluid substance.

Abstract: Herein is described a plastic package for food or food products which are ready for consumption. The package includes a first container of larger size, for a main food component and a second container, of smaller size, able to separately contain a supplementary food component. The package is characterized by the fact that the first bottom and/or the first closure lid of the first container have a cavity open to the outside and conformed to constitute a housing compartment for the second container by at least partial insertion of said the second container in the cavity of the first container.

Abstract: A method for making a biocompatible three-dimensional heart valve includes delivering, using at least one delivery unit, a biocompatible fluid substance towards a mold having a mold surface to obtain a coating layer of predetermined thickness that coats the mold surface, where the biocompatible fluid substance includes a plurality of particles; handling the mold and the delivery unit to provide a relative movement with at least three degrees of freedom between the mold and the delivery unit, the mold coated with the biocompatible fluid substance that is delivered to obtain a three-dimensional heart valve having a surface corresponding to the mold surface; removing, using a suction and blowing device, from the mold any surplus particles of the biocompatible fluid substance dispensed to make uniform the predetermined thickness of the coating layer; and pressing a counter mold on the coating layer deposited on the mold after delivering the biocompatible fluid substance.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for rehabilitation of an upper limb of a person comprising a base frame (10) and a kinematic chain (100) connected to each other. The kinematic chain (100) comprises a plurality of rigid links (21-25) connected in series one after the other through a plurality of rotational joints (31-34), each of which having a respective rotation axis (131-134) and arranged to rotatably connect two successive rigid links of the series. The apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of actuation groups (70), each of which associated to a respective rotational joint and configured to generate and transmit a predetermined driving power to the rotational joint associated to it.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a biocompatible three-dimensional object including at least one delivery unit arranged to deliver at least one biocompatible fluid substance towards a 3D mold having a matrix surface to obtain a coating layer of a predetermined thickness configured for coating the matrix surface. The three-dimensional object may be a heart valve. Furthermore, a handling unit is provided arranged to provide a relative movement according to at least 3 degrees of freedom between the 3D mold and each delivery unit. The 3D mold is arranged to be coated by the delivered biocompatible fluid substance, in order to obtain a three-dimensional object having an object surface copying the matrix surface of the support body.