Abstract: A method and apparatus for an active discharge of an X-capacitor are provided. A sensor signal, indicative of a voltage at the capacitor, is compared with a lower and upper threshold values. A first value of a smaller one of the lower and upper threshold values is increased to a first new value that is greater than a second value of a larger one of the lower and upper threshold values in response to a first control signal indicating the sensor signal is greater than the upper and lower threshold values. A third value of the greater one of the lower and upper threshold values is decreased to a second new value that is less than the value of the larger one of the lower and upper threshold values in response to a second control signal indicating the sensor signal is less than the upper and lower threshold values.

Abstract: A rim for wheel is described including a measuring system for detecting the vertical load applied to the wheel. The measuring system includes a sensor adapted to detect a deformation of the rim and to transmit a deformation signal to a processing unit. The processing unit receives an output signal of the sensor related to the deformation of the rim detected, and determines the vertical load applied to the wheel.

Abstract: An active flyback converter is transitioned between a plurality of operational states based on a comparison of a control voltage signal to voltage thresholds and a count of a number of consecutive switching cycles during which a clamp switch is kept off. The plurality of operational states includes a run state, an idle state, a first burst state, and a second burst state. Each set of consecutive switching cycles of the first burst state includes a determined number of switching cycles during which signals are generated to turn the power switch on and off and to maintain an off state of the clamp switch, and a switching cycle in a determined position in the set of switching cycles during which signals are sequentially generated to turn the power switch on, turn the power switch off, turn the clamp switch on and turn the clamp switch off.

Abstract: A hub carrier is provided having: a central part for carrying a hub for a wheel of a vehicle; an outer frame adapted to connect the hub carrier to a suspension of the vehicle; at least three spokes interposed between the central part and the outer frame, the at least three spokes being rigidly connected to the central part. The at least three spokes have respective end elements connected to the outer frame and provide respective sliding spherical hinges for the at least three spokes. The hub carrier further includes at least three sensors configured for detecting force and/or moment components acting on the hub.

Abstract: An active discharge circuit discharges an X capacitor and includes a sensor circuit that generates a sensor signal indicative of an AC voltage at the X capacitor. A processing unit generates a reset signal as a function of a comparison signal. A comparator circuit generates the comparison signal by comparing the sensor signal with a threshold. A timer circuit sets a discharge enable signal to a first logic level when the timer circuit is reset via a reset signal. The timer circuit determines the time elapsed since the last reset and tests whether the time elapsed exceeds a given timeout value. If the time elapsed exceeds the given timeout value, the timer circuit sets the discharge enable signal to a second logic level. A dynamic threshold generator circuit varies the threshold of the comparator circuit as a function of the sensor signal.

Abstract: A rim for wheel is described including a measuring system for detecting the vertical load applied to the wheel. The measuring system includes a sensor adapted to detect a deformation of the rim and to transmit a deformation signal to a processing unit. The processing unit receives an output signal of the sensor related to the deformation of the rim detected, and determines the vertical load applied to the wheel.

Abstract: An active discharge circuit discharges an X capacitor and includes a sensor circuit that generates a sensor signal indicative of an AC voltage at the X capacitor. A processing unit generates a reset signal as a function of a comparison signal. A comparator circuit generates the comparison signal by comparing the sensor signal with a threshold. A timer circuit sets a discharge enable signal to a first logic level when the timer circuit is reset via a reset signal. The timer circuit determines the time elapsed since the last reset and tests whether the time elapsed exceeds a given timeout value. If the time elapsed exceeds the given timeout value, the timer circuit sets the discharge enable signal to a second logic level. A dynamic threshold generator circuit varies the threshold of the comparator circuit as a function of the sensor signal.

Abstract: An active discharge circuit discharges an X capacitor and includes a sensor circuit that generates a sensor signal indicative of an AC voltage at the X capacitor. A processing unit generates a reset signal as a function of a comparison signal. A comparator circuit generates the comparison signal by comparing the sensor signal with a threshold. A timer circuit sets a discharge enable signal to a first logic level when the timer circuit is reset via a reset signal. The timer circuit determines the time elapsed since the last reset and tests whether the time elapsed exceeds a given timeout value. If the time elapsed exceeds the given timeout value, the timer circuit sets the discharge enable signal to a second logic level. A dynamic threshold generator circuit varies the threshold of the comparator circuit as a function of the sensor signal.

Abstract: An active discharge circuit discharges an X capacitor and includes a sensor circuit that generates a sensor signal indicative of an AC voltage at the X capacitor. A processing unit generates a reset signal as a function of a comparison signal. A comparator circuit generates the comparison signal by comparing the sensor signal with a threshold. A timer circuit sets a discharge enable signal to a first logic level when the timer circuit is reset via a reset signal. The timer circuit determines the time elapsed since the last reset and tests whether the time elapsed exceeds a given timeout value. If the time elapsed exceeds the given timeout value, the timer circuit sets the discharge enable signal to a second logic level. A dynamic threshold generator circuit varies the threshold of the comparator circuit as a function of the sensor signal.

Abstract: An active discharge circuit discharges an X. The detection circuit includes a sensor circuit that generates a sensor signal indicative of an AC oscillation voltage at the X capacitor. The detection circuit also includes a processing unit that generates the reset signal as a function of a comparison signal. A comparator circuit generates the comparison signal by comparing the sensor signal with a threshold. A timer circuit sets a discharge enable signal to a first logic level when the timer circuit is reset via a reset signal. The timer circuit determines the time elapsed since the last reset and tests whether the time elapsed exceeds a given timeout value. If the time elapsed exceeds the given timeout value, the timer circuit sets the discharge enable signal to a second logic level. A dynamic threshold generator circuit varies the threshold of the comparator circuit as a function of the sensor signal.

Abstract: A control circuit controls a driving circuit of a discharge lamp. The driving circuit comprises a half bridge and a clock generator that determines the switching frequency of the half bridge. The control circuit comprises a regulator that regulates the value of the switching frequency when the value of the voltage across the lamp exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An elastic joint with a translating spherical hinge, i.e. a spherical hinge with a sliding joint, comprising an elastic articulated plane (13), a support (16) to which the elastic articulated plane (13) is rigidly constrained, and an axial element (14), positioned according to an axis (11) orthogonal to the plane (13), wherein the elastic articulated plane (13) comprises a series of elastic elements (12) arranged with a first end facing and rigidly connected to the axial element (14), and wherein the elastic elements (12) are flexible in any vertical plane comprising the axis (11) and in the horizontal plane (13) to allow four degrees of freedom or, respectively, the translation of the axial element (14) in the direction of the orthogonal axis (11) and the spatial rotation as well as the torsion around the axis (11). The joint according to the invention is particularly suitable for perfecting a force and moment sensor.

Abstract: A device for measuring forces and moments acting on a body comprises a measuring structure (12) made up of one or more elements and provided with a plurality of connection elements or bindings (17, 18, 37) for connecting the elements of the structure (12) and/or a body (11) the stress of which one wishes to measure, such a structure (12) being statically determined or else statically non determined, such a structure (12) also being equipped with means for measuring (14), in one or more locations, the six stress magnitudes from which the force vector and moment vector acting on the body (11) can be worked out mathematically.

Abstract: An elastic joint with a translating spherical hinge, i.e. a spherical hinge with a sliding joint, comprising an elastic articulated plane (13), a support (16) to which the elastic articulated plane (13) is rigidly constrained, and an axial element (14), positioned according to an axis (11) orthogonal to the plane (13), wherein the elastic articulated plane (13) comprises a series of elastic elements (12) arranged with a first end facing and rigidly connected to the axial element (14), and wherein the elastic elements (12) are flexible in any vertical plane comprising the axis (11) and in the horizontal plane (13) to allow four degrees of freedom or, respectively, the translation of the axial element (14) in the direction of the orthogonal axis (11) and the spatial rotation as well as the torsion around the axis (11). The joint according to the invention is particularly suitable for perfecting a force and moment sensor.

Abstract: A control circuit controls a driving circuit of a discharge lamp. The driving circuit comprises a half bridge and a clock generator that determines the switching frequency of the half bridge. The control circuit comprises a regulator that regulates the value of the switching frequency when the value of the voltage across the lamp exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A device for measuring the inertia tensor of a rigid body at least consists of a rigid body (11), the inertia tensor of which is to be measured, at least one suspension means (20) with respect to at least one fixed point which sets at least one degree of fixation, excitation means (30) for causing the movement of the rigid body (11), as well as a movement detection group (40) and a data transmission group (50) to a numerical processor (60) for registering the data and executing a parameter identification procedure based upon a mathematical model of the rigid body suspended like a pendulum, suitable for obtaining the six components of the inertia tensor.