Abstract: A foundation machine for drilling the ground includes a base machine having a structural frame and a movable assembly for moving the machine. A mast mechanically connects to the base machine, whereon operating equipment is adapted to be mounted in order to drill the ground. At least one video camera mounts to the base machine and is oriented to frame a field of view to be monitored. A control system operatively connects to the at least one video camera in order to receive a signal representative of images acquired by the video camera. The control system includes a neural network trained to recognize a human figure in the images acquired by the video camera. If the neural network recognizes a human figure, the control system controls the foundation machine to perform predetermined functions.

Abstract: An excavation tool for making ground excavations for panels and diaphragms includes at least one rotary excavation drum. At least one frame is adapted to support the excavation drum. At least one pump is adapted for suction of an excavation fluid. A brushless electric motor is adapted to put in rotation the at least one excavation drum. At least one mechanical reducer is operationally connected to the electric motor and the at least one excavation drum. The electric motor is installed in the frame and coaxial to the at least one excavation drum. The at least one mechanical reducer is coaxial to the electric motor and the at least one excavation drum. The at least one mechanical reducer is adapted to transfer rotary motion from the electric motor to the at least one excavation drum.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring an excavation site is described having a supporting frame, at least one profile measuring apparatus, associated with the supporting frame, facing a corresponding lateral wall of the excavation site. Each profile measuring apparatus has a feeler element arranged to remain in contact with the excavation site lateral wall. A sensor system associated with the supporting frame is provided having rotation sensors, and translation sensors. A data processing system, based on the rotation and translation data measured by the sensor system, is provided for calculating the actual profile of the lateral wall of the excavation site.

Abstract: A system and method detect at least one mechanical locking position of a drill string in a soil drilling machine. According the system and method, there are: a sensor apparatus which is configured to detect first data indicating the position assumed by the top of the drill string and second data indicating the position assumed by the bottom of the drill string. A control unit calculates the estimated length of the drill string based on the data and to compare the estimated length with a reference length value. A pair of kelly rods is in a mechanical locking position; and a signaling apparatus is configured to signal when the estimated length corresponds to a reference length value.

Abstract: An excavation tool for making ground excavations for panels and diaphragms includes at least one rotary excavation drum. At least one frame is adapted to support the excavation drum. At least one pump is adapted for suction of an excavation fluid. A brushless electric motor is adapted to put in rotation the at least one excavation drum. At least one mechanical reducer is operationally connected to the electric motor and the at least one excavation drum. The electric motor is installed in the frame and coaxial to the at least one excavation drum. The at least one mechanical reducer is coaxial to the electric motor and the at least one excavation drum. The at least one mechanical reducer is adapted to transfer rotary motion from the electric motor to the at least one excavation drum.

Abstract: A system and method detect at least one mechanical locking position of a drill string in a soil drilling machine. According the system and method, there are: a sensor apparatus which is configured to detect first data indicating the position assumed by the top of the drill string and second data indicating the position assumed by the bottom of the drill string. A control unit calculates the estimated length of the drill string based on the data and to compare the estimated length with a reference length value. A pair of kelly rods is in a mechanical locking position; and a signaling apparatus which is configured to signal when the estimated length corresponds to a reference length value.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring an excavation site is described having a supporting frame, at least one profile measuring apparatus, associated with the supporting frame, facing a corresponding lateral wall of the excavation site. Each profile measuring apparatus has a feeler element arranged to remain in contact with the excavation site lateral wall. A sensor system associated with the supporting frame is provided having rotation sensors, and translation sensors. A data processing system, based on the rotation and translation data measured by the sensor system, is provided for calculating the actual profile of the lateral wall of the excavation site.

Abstract: An electronic control system for drilling devices, includes at least one pair of data-processing units (2a, 2b); a plurality of data-exchange lines, connected to the data-processing units (2a, 2b) for transmission of signals from and to control devices (4a-4c) of the drilling device; and accessories (5, 9) proper to the drilling device. Each of the data-processing units (2a, 2b) is redundant by the others with one and the same level of hierarchy, and all the data-processing units (2a, 2b) are connected to all the control devices (4a-4c) and to the accessories (5, 9) proper to the drilling device through the electronic data-exchange lines that are redundant in a number equal to the multiplicity of the data-processing units (2a, 2b).

Abstract: An electronic control system for drilling devices, includes at least one pair of data-processing units (2a, 2b); a plurality of data-exchange lines, connected to the data-processing units (2a, 2b) for transmission of signals from and to control devices (4a-4c) of the drilling device; and accessories or sensors (5, 9) proper to the drilling device. Each of the data-processing units (2a, 2b) is redundated by the others with one and the same level of hierarchy, and all the data-processing units (2a, 2b) are connected to all the control devices (4a-4c) and to the accessories or sensors (5, 9) proper to the drilling device through the electronic data-exchange lines redundated in a number equal to the multiplicity of the data-processing units (2a, 2b).

Abstract: A flame retarded resin molding compositions with enhanced weatherable properties, which comprise a polyester and polycarbonate blend modified with an organopolysiloxane-polycarbonate and a glycidyl ester impact modifier for enhancing weatherablity and a flame retarding amount of a halogenated flame retardant.

Abstract: It is possible to manufacture articles out of thermoplastic materials and to metallize the articles at their surface. In this way one can manufacture reflectors and similar articles. Most thermoplastic materials require processing steps prior to the metallization like application of primers, chemical etching and the like. The invention is based on the discovery that a certain type of materials can be metallized without any extra processing steps. The materials involved are polyestercarbonates or blends of polyestercarbonates and polycarbonate. This is quite surprising since polycarbonates can not be metallized in good quality without extra processing steps prior to the metallization step.

Abstract: Activated catalyst for oxidation reactions on the basis of mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus, characterized in that the vanadium has an average valence of less than +3.9. The activated catalyst is produced using a process wherein a mixed oxide, in which the vanadium has an average valence of +3.9 to more than +4, is activated at temperatures of 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. by passing over it a gaseous hydrocarbon component having 2 to 6 carbon atoms with the exclusion of molecular oxygen. The activated catalyst is used for the production of maleic anhydride from straight-chain C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: Activated catalyst for oxidation reactions on the basis of mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus, characterized in that the vanadium has an average valence of less than +3.9. The activated catalyst is produced using a process wherein a mixed oxide, in which the vanadium has an average valence of +3.9 to more than +4, is activated at temperatures of 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. by passing over it a gaseous hydrocarbon component having 2 to 6 carbon atoms with the exclusion of molecular oxygen. The activated catalyst is used for the production of maleic anhydride from straight-chain C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: The process for the production of a mixed-oxide oxidation catalyst which, based on the vanadium and pentavalent phosphorus, has an atomic ratio of phosphorus to vanadium between 1.05 to 1 and 1.10 to 1. The process involves reacting a salt of tetravalent vanadium, dissolved in a non-oxidizing acid aqueous solution, with orthophosphoric acid. The resultant soluble vanadium salt complex, after concentrating the solution is precipitated by adding water. The precipitate is dried. The dried precipitate is put or formed into the desired form. The formed, dried precipitate is subjected to a heat treatment of at least 300.degree. C. A mixed-oxide oxidation catalyst is obtained.

Abstract: The process for the production of a mixed-oxide oxidation catalyst which, based on the vanadium and pentavalent phosphorus, has an atomic ratio of phosphorus to vanadium between 1.05 to 1 and 1.10 to 1. The process involves a salt of the tetravalent vanadium, dissolved in a non-oxidizing acid aqueous solution, with orthophosphoric acid. After the solution is concentrated the vanadium salt complex is precipitated by adding water. The precipitate is dried. The dried precipitate is put or formed into the desired form. The formed, dried precipitate is subjected to a heat treatment of at least 300.degree. C. A mixed-oxide oxidation catalyst is obtained.