Abstract: The sensor unit consists of a scale model of the vehicle mounted on the roof of the vehicle itself. The sensor unit measures the amount of energy exchange necessary to obtain the desired air-conditioning in its interior environment and generates a signal, which is of a predictive nature, indicating the amount of energy exchange necessary to obtain the corresponding air-conditioning in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring techniques, such as angular movement monitoring techniques, in which an element with at least one peripheral irregularity is moved relative to a magnetic circuit so as to induce a variation in the reluctance in the magnetic circuit which can be detected externally. A device is disclosed including two magnetic elements defining respective magnetic circuits symmetrical with each other. Between the two magnetic members a gap is formed of approximately the same size of a peripheral irregularity, consisting of a notch or a tooth of a moving member, which is passed in front of the two magnetic circuits to cause a corresponding variation in reluctance in the magnetic circuits which produce a disturbance in the characteristics of symmetry, detectable by a sensor preferably a Wiegand-effect sensor.

Abstract: A system for connecting sensor devices to actuating devices, the system substantially comprising a cable having a given number of signal conducting lines, a number of interface units each designed for assembly between the lines of the aforementioned cable and a respective sensor device or actuating device, and processing means designed to circulate, in the aforementioned cable, signals enabling data to be transmitted between the devices and the processing means.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electromagnetic actuator which is provided with an electromagnet and a movable core which can be attracted by the electromagnet. The electromagnet is formed by a small plate having on its front surface facing the core a plurality of grooves in which are housed respective substantially rectilinear conductor elements. The conductor elements are electrically connected together in such a way as to define on the surface a plurality of elementary magnets disposed alongside one another and having alternately opposite polarity.

Abstract: A method is described for the non-destructive testing of a joint obtained by the electrical spot-welding of two sheets of substantially the same material joined together in a local zone with the formation of a weld core which has a thermal diffusivity substantially different from the thermal diffusivity of the material of the two sheets before welding, such a core being obtained only when the welding is of a good quality.The testing is effected by a device the main characteristic of which is an electrode which delivers heat and a detector electrode located at two conveniently chosen points on one surface or opposite surfaces of the two welded sheets. The detector electrode is connected through an amplifier and an analog-digital converter to a computer which processes the signal to provide an indication of the weld quality on the basis of the measured value of the thermal diffusivity.

Abstract: A shutoff device for a fluid with a body having a conduit in which, in use, the fluid flows, a plunger arranged slidingly in a seat formed in the body and provided with an end portion suited to shut off said conduit, and means controlling the movement of the plunger into said seat. The control means comprise at least in particular a member having a hollow shape, made in piezoelectric material and arranged inside a chamber formed in the body and communicating with part of the surface of said plunger. Into the chamber is contained a liquid which is subjected to pressure changes as a consequence of the volume changes induced in the piezoelectric member; said liquid causes the movement of the plunger and consequently the shutoff of the conduit.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided which includes:a plurality of power outlets connected to the supply conductors of the system and enabling the connection of a corresponding plurality of electrical loads to the system; anda control unit connected by control conductors to the power outlets and arranged to monitor both the power suppliable by the system and the power required by the electrical loads for their operation.Each power outlet includes a switching arrangement with two operating states. In its first state, the switching arrangement enables a load connected to the power outlet to be measured by the control unit, this switching arrangement being thereafter switched into its second state by the said control unit to enable the load to be supplied with the power required for its operation only if this power does not exceed the yet-unused electric power capacity of the system.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic converter of the type comprising a concentrating optical system and a transducer for solar radiation provided with at least one lens and with at least one photovoltaic cell is described.The principal feature of this converter is that the aforementioned transducer comprises at least a radiator having an irradiating surface substantially facing the sensitive surface of the photovoltaic cell and a selective filter disposed between the photovoltaic cell and the aforementioned radiator.

Abstract: The method is intended for heating water used in an appliance connected into a domestic water circuit comprising a feed branch for continuously feeding hot water to said appliance and a discharge branch for discharging the water from the appliance; it comprises a first stage in which a first quantity of heat withdrawn from the water passing through a first portion of said discharge branch is transferred to the water passing through a first portion of said feed branch, said first stage being carried out by means of a first heat exchanger traversed by the water of said feed and discharge branches, and a second stage in which a second quantity of heat given up by a fluid traversing the condenser of a heat pump is transferred to the water passing through a second portion of said feed branch which is downstream of said first portion, said second stage being carried out by means of a second heat exchanger traversed by the water of said feed branch and by said fluid, said second quantity of heat being partly supplie

Abstract: An air heating system comprises a duct housing an air-cooled internal combustion engine which drives a fan to cause air to be drawn in through an inlet mouth of the duct and blown through the duct to a utilizer. The exhaust gases from the engine are fed as heating fluid to a heat exchanger through which they pass in a helical path concentric with the axis of the duct. Pre-heating of the air drawn into the duct can be achieved by providing a second heat exchanger through which air must flow before entering the duct inlet. The heating fluid for the second heat exchanger comprises a mixture of the used air from the utilizer and the exhaust gases leaving the main heat exchanger in the duct.

Abstract: A solar energy absorber comprises a thermally-insulated duct housing a plurality of longitudinally-extending absorbing plates and having a slit located at the focal axis of an elongate, optical focusing system. The plates are parallel to the plane of symmetry of the optical system and are spaced apart such that focused energy incident through the slit falls upon an entire surface of each plate, any reflected energy being returned to the plates by a plane mirror located on the opposite side of the plates from the slit and by internal reflecting surfaces of the duct such that substantially all the energy is absorbed: this energy is given up to an air flow through the duct, in use.

Abstract: A solar energy converter is provided in the form of a unit for assembly together with other similar units to build up a solar-energy conversion installation. Each unit includes a fixed support structure, a mounting element articulated on the support structure, and an optical concentrator carried by the mounting element. The optical concentrator consists of a plurality of coplanar, spherical lenses the centers of which are located at the vertices of a polygon. The center of the polygon lies on a line extending perpendicularly to the plane of the lenses through the point of articulation of the mounting element on the support structure. Each unit further includes a plurality of converter modules located at the foci of respective ones of the spherical lenses and carried by respective connecting legs which extend from the mounting element. Each converter module includes a photo-voltaic cell and means for transferring the heat dissipated in the photo-voltaic cell to a liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for the combined production of heat and electrical energy comprising an internal combustion engine driving an electricity generator and enclosed in a thermally insulated housing with heat exchangers for extracting heat from the engine coolant, the engine oil, the exhaust gases from the engine and from the electricity generator, and for transferring this heat to an external heating circuit, in which all the components are carried by a rectangular or cubic supporting framework to which the thermal and acoustic insulation panels are attached by quick-release fastenings, the engine and generator being connected together to form a rigid unit which is suspended from the framework while the ignition equipment of the engine is housed externally of the framework and cooled by the incoming air being drawn into the engine flowing through a housing in which it is supported.

Abstract: A power plant has an electrical generator driven by an internal combustion engine in which engine coolant circulates in a gas/liquid heat exchanger to take up heat from engine exhaust gases and then through a liquid/liquid heat exchanger to give up heat to a secondary water circuit, the electrical generator being cooled by a circulation of water in the secondary circuit through a surrounding cooling jacket after the water has given up heat in a heating unit.

Abstract: A low-cost solar panel is fabricated from three laminated plastics layers, the upper two layers being transparent to luminous and infra-red solar radiation and the bottom layer being opaque; in one version water to be heated flows first between the upper two layers and then between the lower two layers to be further heated in flowing over the bottom layer.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system suitable for use on motor vehicles where electric current is to be supplied selectively to one or more electric power consuming devices, wherein there is provided a main power carrying conductor and a plurality of signal carrying lines which energize one or more of a plurality of actuators to interconnect the power line to a selected electrical device, in which the power line is in the form of a metal strip of sufficient rigidity that the actuators can be mounted thereon by a mounting which also makes electrical contact thereto.

Abstract: An electromagnetic angular speed or angular position transducer comprises a permanent magnet with closely spaced pole faces and a ferromagnetic core magnetically connected to the magnet and carrying a coil. The transducer cooperates with a toothed wheel the teeth of which are moved past the pole faces and the core in such a way that two magnetic circuits are completed by the teeth, one passing through the teeth and the two pole faces, and the other passing through the teeth and the core. The two magnetic circuits are in parallel with one another and the reluctance of each changes as the teeth move therepast. The circuit through the two pole faces ensures that the magnet is operated with a high leakage flux so that small changes in the reluctance cause relatively large flux changes and thus a relatively high electromotive force in the coil wound about the core.

Abstract: A method of attaching terminals to the wires of a cable having a plurality of wires all insulated from one another with separate insulating layers is disclosed, wherein the wires are surrounded, in the region where a terminal is to be connected, by a liquid conductive material. After the outer cover of the cable has been removed (if it has one), a terminal element is positioned in contact with the liquid conductive material adjacent the wires of the cable at the said region. A rising voltage is then applied between the terminal and one end of the wire which is to be connected to the terminal. The voltage continues to rise until the occurrence of dielectric breakdown of the insulation surrounding the wire to be connected allowing a spark to jump from the wire to the terminal and to burn a hole through the insulating layer allowing the liquid conductive material to flow in and make contact with the wire. Subsequent solidification of the liquid conductive material makes the connection permanent.