Abstract: A door for a motor vehicle of the type without frame for the side window is provided with a device for controlling a slight movement of the window from and into its completely raised position upon opening and closing of the door. Said device comprises shape-memory actuating means.

Abstract: An outer-rearview-mirror unit for a motor vehicle comprises an electrical switching device with a number of positions, which controls electrical supply of a plurality of shape-memory wires that control oscillation of the reflecting plate of the mirror. The electrical switching device has a single control lever with a number of positions projecting from a support, which, in the mounted condition of the mirror, is in a position coinciding with that of the base of the mirror, on the inside of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system for the cab of a lorry comprises a rotational damper preferably of a magneto-rheological type.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator device, comprising of a shape memory cable assembled through a sheath and susceptible of being supplied with an electric current to cause it to heat up. The sheath is placed in such a way to allow a manual activation of the controlled mechanism, acting as a transmission element, alternatively to the electric activation through the shape memory cable. Means are foreseen to detect the stop end position of the shape memory cable following its heating up in order to disconnect the electricity supply to such cable and to protect it from the risk of overheating. It is possible to foresee more shape memory cables placed parallel between them.

Abstract: A discrete step rotary actuator (1) comprises a stator (2), a rotor (3) and at least an actuating element (10) made with a shape memory active material, the actuating element (10) having a first portion (11) anchored to said stator and a second portion with a terminal element (12). The rotor has a sequence of seatings (14) arranged as a circumference, into which the terminal element (12) can engage in a sequential way. Elastic means (13) placed between the actuating element (10) and the stator (2) induce the shift of the terminal element (12) between two consecutive seatings (14), during the passage of the active material from its shortened to its extended configuration. The passage of the active material from the extended configuration to its shortened configuration imparts the rotor (3) a rotation couple with respect to the stator (2).

Abstract: A stop device with a shape memory actuator includes two stop elements sliding within a fixed support structure and usually hold in their mutual distant position by cam means pushed through spring means. A shape memory actuator is started through an electric current passage for causing the displacement of the cam means in a position wherein they permit the backward movement of the two stop elements towards a mutual close position.

Abstract: A shape-memory actuator device comprises means for interrupting electrical supply to a shape-memory element when the axial load applied to said element exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A valve for gases, liquids or powdery material, comprises a diaphragm shutter element having a central part and a peripheral edge connected, respectively, to a central support and to a peripheral support. Said supports can be displaced axially with respect to one another between a first relative end position and a second relative end position corresponding, respectively, to the open condition and to the closed condition of the valve, or vice versa. The relative displacement in the axial direction of said first and second supports is controlled by shape-memory means, preferably formed by a first shape-memory wire and a second shape-memory wire set on the two opposite faces of the diaphragm shutter element.

Abstract: A system for the distribution of air to a row of seats in a passenger compartment of a means of transport, such as for example an aeroplane, train or bus, or in the room of a building, comprises a main duct and a series of outlets. The outlets are without valves for opening and closing, and the flow of the air through the outlets is controlled by control means associated to each outlet that exploit the Coanda effect.

Abstract: A discrete step rotary actuator (1) comprises a stator (2), a rotor (3) and at least an actuating element (10) made with a shape memory active material, the actuating element (10) having a first portion (11) anchored to said stator and a second portion with a terminal element (12). The rotor has a sequence of seatings (14) arranged as a circumference, into which the terminal element (12) can engage in a sequential way. Elastic means (13) placed between the actuating element (10) and the stator (2) induce the shift of the terminal element (12) between two consecutive seatings (14), during the passage of the active material from its shortened to its extended configuration. The passage of the active material from the extended configuration to its shortened configuration imparts the rotor (3) a rotation couple with respect to the stator (2).

Abstract: Described herein is a Coanda-effect air distributor for distributing a flow between a number of ducts set downstream. Provided in the area that separates the initial ends of two ducts set downstream is the inlet of a recirculation duct that creates an air circulation that masks the entrance of a duct set downstream when the flow is deviated into the other duct.

Abstract: An air-distribution device based upon the Coanda-effect comprises two mobile elements that move in synchronism and in phase opposition for distributing an air flow into two ducts.

Abstract: A household appliance comprises a cabinet, a door and a door block/release device. In normal conditions, the device is actuated by electrically powered actuator means whilst in case of need the device can be actuated by means of a release system. The device comprises an actuation element, preferably made of shape memory material, inserted within a movable body. The device is capable of passing from the condition of blocking to that of releasing the door both by means of a movement of the actuation element caused by the electrical power supply control of the actuator means and by means of a manual actuation, using the housing body as an element of manual mechanical transmission.

Abstract: An electrical energy generator device comprising an array of micro-fans each associated to a respective dynamo-electric generator by means of a respective connecting shaft, further comprises, for at least some of the micro-fans (3), a lug element (6) associated to the respective connecting shaft (4) which mechanically co-operates at each revolution with a piezoelectric element (7), for the production of additional electrical energy. In addition or instead of the aforesaid arrangement, it is possible to provide plates (10) made of piezoelectric material which vibrate in the flow of air that invests them, thereby producing electrical energy.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator device, comprising of a shape memory cable assembled through a sheath and susceptible of being supplied with an electric current to cause it to heat up. The sheath is placed in such a way to allow a manual activation of the controlled mechanism, acting as a transmission element, alternatively to the electric activation through the shape memory cable. Means are foreseen to detect the stop end position of the shape memory cable following its heating up in order to disconnect the electricity supply to such cable and to protect it from the risk of overheating. It is possible to foresee more shape memory cables placed parallel between them.

Abstract: Controlled oscillating damper, comprising: a housing (12) provided with a cavity (14), an oscillating element (18) moving sealingly within the cavity (14), in which the housing (12) and the oscillating element (18) have respective walls defining at least one chamber (44) filled with magneto-rheological or electro-rheological damping fluid, and at least one electrically controlled excitation device (46) equipped with at least one fluid passage (52) which a fluid flow gets through during the motion of the oscillating element (18). The excitation device (46) is stationary with respect to the housing (12) and is arranged so as to divide the damping chamber (44) into two sections of variable volume (44a, 44b) communicating one with the other through the passage (52).

Abstract: An air-distribution system comprises a fluid device that enables deviation of a flow of air that traverses a main duct (6S; 6D) into a first secondary duct (7S, 7C) and a second secondary duct (7C, 7D), exploiting the Coanda effect. The system may be applied in vehicles in general, in particular motor vehicles, or for example in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Abstract: A shape memory bistable actuator includes an element movable mounted on a fixed support structure, having an intermediate position of dead center and two end positions. Spring means tend to return the movable element towards either end positions, depending on that it is on either part with respect to the dead center position. Shape memory means are provided for causing a displacement of the movable element from either end positions, against the action of the spring means, at least until the dead center position is exceeded. After this exceeding, the activation of the shape memory means can be stopped, as the spring means provide to proceed the movable element toward the new desired working position, and to hold it in such a position, despite the shape memory means are deactivated.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a collection device that can be carried by disabled persons, comprising a section of duct, destined to be connected to the rectum of the person, an expansible container, connected to said section of duct, and a shutter device interposed in the aforesaid section of duct and controlled by actuator means, for example shape-memory or electromagnetic means, activated by the signal of a sensor.

Abstract: A lock (1) comprises at least a bolt (7) actuated by means of a flexible shape memory element (14), which can take an extended and a shortened configuration as a result of heating. Constraint means (P, 10, 17) cause the arrangement of at least an intermediate portion of the shape memory element (13), within which portion said element is associated to the bolt (7); the constraint means (P, 10, 17) are in such relative positions that said intermediate portion of the shape memory element (14) takes a substantially V-shaped arrangement at least when the first controlled element (7) is in its operating position.