Patents by Inventor Stefano Cassani

Stefano Cassani has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220371823
    Abstract: An automatic warehouse (1), comprising: a frame (2), defining a prismatic-shaped containment volume (V), with a vertical axis (X); an elevator (3), arranged inside the containment volume (V), comprising a flat bed (4), movable along a vertical direction; a locking device (101), interposed between the frame (2) and the elevator (3), which is operable between a locking configuration, in which the elevator (3) is constrained to the frame (2) with respect to the vertical movements and cannot move vertically, and a release configuration, in which the elevator (3) can move vertically. The locking device (101) can be activated on command from a predetermined zone of the frame (2), which can be positioned with great flexibility, based on any access needs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: MODULA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Franco STEFANI, Stefano CASSANI
  • Patent number: 11155407
    Abstract: A seismic isolation device for structures of the type in which the structure to be isolated is provided with at least one support leg is constrained to the same structure, includes at least a support element or pad adapted to rest on a sliding surface with a deformation, and includes a contact area in contact with said sliding surface whose extension is variable and depends on the load resting on the support. The sliding surface is rigid and the contact area in contact therewith has a variable extension and depends on the load resting on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MODULA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Franco Stefani, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 10344642
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a valve for directing an exhaust gas stream through an exhaust duct having a first after treatment device and a second after treatment device in an exhaust system. The method includes receiving sensor signals from a sensor coupled to the second after treatment device. The method includes processing the sensor signals to determine a temperature of the second after treatment device, and determining a position for the valve based on whether the temperature exceeds a pre-defined threshold for the temperature of the second after treatment device. The method includes outputting a control signal to move the valve to a first position in which the exhaust gas stream flows through a first portion of the first after treatment device or a second position in which the exhaust gas stream flows through a second portion of the first after treatment device based on the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Montinaro, Andrea Dutto, Claudio Ciaravino, Andrea Arnone, Stefano Cassani
  • Publication number: 20190077596
    Abstract: A seismic isolation device for structures of the type in which the structure to be isolated is provided with at least one support leg (2) is constrained to the same structure, includes at least a support element or pad adapted to rest on a sliding surface (3) with a deformation, and includes a contact area in contact with said sliding surface (3) whose extension is variable and depends on the load resting on the support. The sliding surface (3) is rigid and the contact area in contact therewith has a variable extension and depends on the load resting on the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Franco STEFANI, Stefano CASSANI
  • Publication number: 20180347433
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a valve for directing an exhaust gas stream through an exhaust duct having a first after treatment device and a second after treatment device in an exhaust system. The method includes receiving sensor signals from a sensor coupled to the second after treatment device. The method includes processing the sensor signals to determine a temperature of the second after treatment device, and determining a position for the valve based on whether the temperature exceeds a pre-defined threshold for the temperature of the second after treatment device. The method includes outputting a control signal to move the valve to a first position in which the exhaust gas stream flows through a first portion of the first after treatment device or a second position in which the exhaust gas stream flows through a second portion of the first after treatment device based on the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni MONTINARO, Andrea DUTTO, Claudio CIARAVINO, Andrea ARNONE, Stefano CASSANI
  • Patent number: 10138783
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method are provided for thermally regulating an injector injecting a reducing agent into an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. A pump is activated to deliver a coolant in a coolant circuit having a portion in heat exchange relation with the injector. A value is determined for a mass flow rate of the coolant delivered by the pump. A value is calculated for a temperature of the injector as a function of the determined value of the mass flow rate. A difference is calculated between the calculated value of the injector temperature and a predetermined set-point value thereof, and the mass flow rate of the coolant delivered by the pump is adjusted on the basis of the calculated difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michele Bilancia, Giorgio Sticchi, Luis Daniel Guerrero Cruz, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 10125511
    Abstract: An anti-seismic device (1) for load-bearing structures or machines for example automated warehouses, comprises at least one supporting foot (3) suitable for being fixed to a load-bearing structure of the automated warehouse. The supporting foot (3) is configured for resting and sliding on a support and sliding surface (5), so as to allow relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). At least one abutment element (10) is suitable for being solidly constrained with the support and sliding surface (5). At least a spring device (12) is suitable for being interposed between the abutment element (10) and the automated warehouse. The spring device (12) is configured to generate a return action (force and/or torque) of the automated warehouse as a result of the relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). The spring device (12) has a non-linear, preferably progressive elastic characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MODULA S.P.A. CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventors: Franco Stefani, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 10053287
    Abstract: A retrieval/storage apparatus (2) for warehouses (1), including: a support frame (8) having a retrieval/storage surface (9) for at least one article which must be retrieved from a respective warehouse (1) or stored in the warehouse (1); the frame (8) defining a housing space (10) of a drawer (4) for containing one or more articles; and an access device (11) operatively active on the retrieval/storage surface (9) so as to open/close at least one opening (12) through which it is possible to access the housing space (10), inside the drawer (4); the access device (11) includes a first and a second wall (13, 14) both mobile along the retrieval/storage surface (9), and at least a third wall (15) mobile along the retrieval/storage level (9) in a direction transversal to the direction of movement of the first and second walls (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MODULA S.P.A. CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventors: Franco Stefani, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 9835064
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system for an internal combustion system includes an exhaust duct, an oxidation catalyst disposed in the exhaust duct and a particulate filter disposed in the exhaust duct downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The internal combustion engine is operated to perform a regeneration process of the particulate filter. A first value of exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust duct between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter is determined. A second value of exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust duct downstream of the particulate filter is determined. A malfunctioning of the oxidation catalyst is determined when the first value of exhaust gas temperature is below a first predetermined threshold value thereof and contemporaneously the second value of exhaust gas temperature is above a second predetermined threshold value thereof during the regeneration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stefano Cassani, Paolo Francesco Carminati, Nicola Pio Sacco
  • Publication number: 20170284119
    Abstract: An anti-seismic device (1) for load-bearing structures or machines for example automated warehouses, comprises at least one supporting foot (3) suitable for being fixed to a load-bearing structure of the automated warehouse. The supporting foot (3) is configured for resting and sliding on a support and sliding surface (5), so as to allow relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). At least one abutment element (10) is suitable for being solidly constrained with the support and sliding surface (5). At least a spring device (12) is suitable for being interposed between the abutment element (10) and the automated warehouse. The spring device (12) is configured to generate a return action (force and/or torque) of the automated warehouse as a result of the relative movement of the automated warehouse with respect to the support and sliding surface (5). The spring device (12) has a non-linear, preferably progressive elastic characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: FRANCO STEFANI, STEFANO CASSANI
  • Publication number: 20170044951
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method are provided for thermally regulating an injector injecting a reducing agent into an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. A pump is activated to deliver a coolant in a coolant circuit having a portion in heat exchange relation with the injector. A value is determined for a mass flow rate of the coolant delivered by the pump. A value is calculated for a temperature of the injector as a function of the determined value of the mass flow rate. A difference is calculated between the calculated value of the injector temperature and a predetermined set-point value thereof, and the mass flow rate of the coolant delivered by the pump is adjusted on the basis of the calculated difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michele BILANCIA, Giorgio STICCHI, Luis Daniel GUERRERO CRUZ, Stefano CASSANI
  • Publication number: 20160290196
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system for an internal combustion system includes an exhaust duct, an oxidation catalyst disposed in the exhaust duct and a particulate filter disposed in the exhaust duct downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The internal combustion engine is operated to perform a regeneration process of the particulate filter. A first value of exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust duct between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter is determined. A second value of exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust duct downstream of the particulate filter is determined. A malfunctioning of the oxidation catalyst is determined when the first value of exhaust gas temperature is below a first predetermined threshold value thereof and contemporaneously the second value of exhaust gas temperature is above a second predetermined threshold value thereof during the regeneration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stefano CASSANI, Paolo Francesco CARMINATI, Nicola Pio SACCO
  • Publication number: 20160214796
    Abstract: A retrieval/storage apparatus (2) for warehouses (1), comprising: a support frame (8) having a retrieval/storage surface (9) for at least one article which must be retrieved from a respective warehouse (1) or stored in said warehouse (1); said frame (8) defining a housing space (10) of a drawer (4) for containing one or more said articles; and access means (11) operatively active on said retrieval/storage surface (9) so as to open/close at least one opening (12) through which it is possible to access said housing space (10), inside the drawer (4); the access means (11) comprise a first and a second wall (13, 14) both mobile along the retrieval/storage surface (9) in reciprocal approaching/distancing, and at least a third wall (15) mobile along the retrieval/storage level (9) in a direction transversal to the direction of movement of the first and second walls (13, 14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Franco Stefani, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 9352280
    Abstract: A method of estimating hydrocarbon storage in a catalytic device of an exhaust gas treatment system includes calculating an amount of hydrocarbons absorbed in the catalytic device per unit volume of exhaust gas over a period of time, calculating an amount of hydrocarbons desorbed in the catalytic device per unit volume of exhaust gas over the period of time, and calculating an amount of hydrocarbons oxidized in the catalytic device per unit volume of exhaust gas over the period of time. The amount of hydrocarbons oxidized in the catalytic device and the amount of hydrocarbons desorbed in the catalytic device are subtracted from the amount of hydrocarbons absorbed in the catalytic device to determine the amount of hydrocarbons stored in the catalytic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Michelangelo Ardanese, Stefano Cassani, Andrea Dutto
  • Publication number: 20150209729
    Abstract: A method of estimating hydrocarbon storage in a catalytic device of an exhaust gas treatment system includes calculating an amount of hydrocarbons absorbed in the catalytic device per unit volume of exhaust gas over a period of time, calculating an amount of hydrocarbons desorbed in the catalytic device per unit volume of exhaust gas over the period of time, and calculating an amount of hydrocarbons oxidized in the catalytic device per unit volume of exhaust gas over the period of time. The amount of hydrocarbons oxidized in the catalytic device and the amount of hydrocarbons desorbed in the catalytic device are subtracted from the amount of hydrocarbons absorbed in the catalytic device to determine the amount of hydrocarbons stored in the catalytic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Michelangelo Ardanese, Stefano Cassani, Andrea Dutto
  • Patent number: 8985930
    Abstract: A plant for storing products including at least a pair of vertical stores (40) facing one another, each being provided with opposite flanks (4) which are provided with pluralities of guides (6) located such that a pair of opposite guides which face one another on the same horizontal plane define end rests for single drawers or trays (5). Housings for the drawers or trays are defined between the pairs of guides and the contiguous pairs of guides, each of which is transferable between a load/unload configuration of the products and a storage configuration in which the drawer or tray is inserted with ends thereof on a pair of opposite guides and vice versa. An elevator (9) is provided, mobile along a development direction (A) of the vertical stores such as to move the drawers or trays. The opposite flanks of the stores are provided with profiled uprights (4a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: System Logistics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Stefani, Stefano Cassani, Federico Calzini
  • Patent number: 8853583
    Abstract: A method for separating a granular synthetic material from a loose mass of various synthetic materials includes: conveying the granular mass along a trajectory having a rubbing surface subjecting the mass falling from the rubbing surface to an electrical field; and collecting at least one of the masses separated by the electrical field. The mass advances in a single layer on the rubbing surface, while maintaining the single layer contact with the rubbing surface, the rubbing surface being subjected to repeated acceleration in opposite directions in the plane of the rubbing surface, or tangential thereto to move the mass on the surface in order to improve the electrostatic charge. The rubbing surface is made of or clad with a material having intermediate triboelectric properties with respect to those of the granular mass, and is clad with a same material as that which it is intended to separate from the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 8746046
    Abstract: A method for the estimation of oil viscosity in an internal combustion engine, the engine subjected to fuel post injections to activate Particulate Filter regeneration processes and to fuel hydrocarbons (HC) evaporation events affecting said oil viscosity. The method includes, but is not limited to determining if the particulate filter is subjected to a regeneration process and, in the affirmative case, calculating an oil viscosity decrease during said Particulate Filter regeneration process as a function of an oil dilution rate, and calculating an oil viscosity increase after said regeneration process as a function of an Hydrocarbon (HC) evaporation rate and of a time during which fuel Hydrocarbon evaporation takes place, where said evaporation time is determined as a function of a time spent in evaporating fuel Hydrocarbon from engine oil in a previous fuel hydrocarbons evaporation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Igor Zanetti, Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 8701614
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling one or more glowplugs in a compression-ignition engine. The controlling of the glowplug involves the prediction of a glow plug temperature to control a power supply to the glowplug. A supplied power to a glowplug and a combustion chamber temperature is determined. A temperature of the glowplug is predicted and the predicted glowplug temperature is used to control a power supply to the glowplug. The predicted glowplug temperature is derived from a numerical solution of a differential equation for the glowplug temperature. The differential equation is nonlinear in the glowplug temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stefano Cassani
  • Patent number: 8676475
    Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating a diesel particulate filter within a diesel engine system that includes, but is not limited to at least a combustion chamber defined by a reciprocating piston inside a cylinder, at least an exhaust valve for cyclically open the combustion chamber towards an exhaust line, and the diesel particulate filter located in the exhaust line, wherein the method comprises injecting an amount of fuel into the combustion chamber by means of least two consecutive after-injection pulses (AIP1-AIP3), each of which starts (SOI) after the piston has passed the top dead center (TDC), and sufficiently near to the latter for the fuel to burn at least partially inside the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stefano Cassani, Davide Mercuri, Simone Barbero, Pierluigi Rellecati