Abstract: A motor-vehicle suspension having oscillating arms, in which one of the arms is formed by the casing of a rotational shock-absorber, wherein the oscillating piston of the shock-absorber is connected to the structure of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the casing of the rotational shock-absorber is also used for the anchorage of a respective end of a leaf spring, which constitutes the elastic element of the suspension.

Abstract: An air-distribution system for the dashboard of a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of auxiliary ducts that branch off in parallel from a manifold. Associated to each auxiliary duct is an additional and independent unit for regulating the flow rate and/or the temperature of the air flow that traverses the respective auxiliary duct. Each auxiliary duct branches off into a number of terminal ducts and is provided with means for the distribution of the air to the terminal ducts, which are preferably of the type comprising means of deviation of the air by the Coanda effect.

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: 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: 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 lighting device is described herein, for example in the form of a table lamp, a floor lamp, a wall lamp or the like, comprising shape memory actuator means that move the supporting structure of the lamp from a configuration of minimum bulk to an operative configuration.

Abstract: Controlled oscillating damper, comprising: a housing (12) provided with a cavity (14), an oscillating element (18) moving sealingly within said 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 said damping chamber (44) into two sections of variable volume (44a, 44b) communicating one with the other through said passage (52).

Abstract: Described herein is an air-distribution device which uses means designed for causing deviation, by Coanda effect, of a flow of air coming from an inlet duct into a plurality of outlet ducts. The invention is applicable both to a motor-vehicle air-conditioning assembly, which incorporates a conveyor with a heating element, and to a motor-vehicle dashboard.

Abstract: The flying machine includes a supporting structure including a central rotational support having a vertical axis connected to an essentially horizontal, preferably annular, peripheral support part, coaxial with the central support, at least one upper rotor including a central hub rotatable about the axis of the central support of the supporting structure, an outer channel-section ring supported by the peripheral part of the supporting structure by contactless suspension means, preferably magnetic suspension means, and a plurality of blades which extend from the hub to the channel-section ring and which are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane; and motor devices carried at least partially by the peripheral part of the supporting structure and operable to cause rotation of the rotor with respect to this structure in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A lock for doors, for example doors of homes, offices, hotel rooms or similar, as well as doors of motor vehicles, includes a lock opening control assembly having a control device located at a distance from the lock and a mechanical transmission connecting the control device to the lock. A shape memory actuator is arranged in between the mechanical transmission, so that the lock can be opened both by operating the shape memory actuator, and by operating the control device, in which case the shape memory actuator works simply as a mechanical transmission element.

Abstract: A release device for a component of a motor-vehicle seat comprises a shape-memory actuator which can be actuated either electrically or manually as a tie-rod.

Abstract: VTOL aircraft comprising a first and a second ducted rotor positioned at the ends of a vertical fuselage and whose propellers are driven to rotate in mutually opposite directions. Control flaps for orientation and transverse flight are operatively associated at least to the lower ducted rotor.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of a fluid in one or more conduits in an electrical appliance, particularly in a dishwasher machine, comprises at least a control member, movable between two or more positions, and shape memory actuator means of said control member.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle dashboard incorporating an air distribution system that includes suitable means for controlling the deviation of airflow in the various ducts (3) associated with the outlet vents (2) on the dashboard, using the Coanda effect.

Abstract: An actuator including a shape-memory flexible cable with a flexible sheath can be used, by controlling it both electrically and mechanically using the sheath as element for applying a mechanical tensile force. The shape-memory flexible cable is provided with a coating made of synthetic or elastomer material moulded thereon and adherent thereto, which favors rapid return of the shape-memory cable into its resting configuration after its activation both on account of its elastic return and owing to the fact that it favors cooling of the cable. Preferably, the coating is obtained by means of a process of co-extrusion with the shape-memory cable.

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 fluid distribution system comprised of an inlet duct (1) and two outlet ducts (6 and 7) including deviating means for directing the inlet flow into one or the other outlet ducts (6 and 7) composed of a mobile wall (2) suitable for making the flow adhere to the walls of one duct or the other due to the Coanda effect. In a first position, the mobile wall (2) is incorporated into the side wall (3) of the inlet conduct (1) that extends into one of the two outlet ducts. From this position, the mobile wall (2) can be moved to a second position where its upstream end protrudes inside the duct to create a step-like irregularity (4) on the duct's internal surface.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator includes a shape memory actuator element for biasing an actuated member from an initial rest position to an operative position against the action of return spring means. Holding means are associated with the actuator element for holding the actuated member in its operative position even when the shape memory actuator element is deactivated. These holding means can be deactivated with a subsequent activation of the shape memory actuator element, allowing the actuated member to return to its rest position.

Abstract: VTOL aircraft comprising a first and a second ducted rotor positioned at the ends of a vertical fuselage and whose propellers are driven to rotate in mutually opposite directions. Control flaps for orientation and transverse flight are operatively associated at least to the lower ducted rotor.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises a flexible cable (2) and opposite ends (4, 5), one of which is connected to a control member and the other to a controlled member. At least one portion of the flexible cable (2) is made of a shape-memory material in such a way that the device can be used both as a mechanical element of flexible transmission between the control member and the controlled member, and as a shape-memory actuator, designed to operate the controlled member following upon a variation in length of said shape-memory portion.