Abstract: A protection device for metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitors are described. In an example, an electronic assembly includes a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric layer is on the semiconductor substrate. A conductive via is in an opening in the dielectric layer, the conductive via in direct contact with the semiconductor substrate. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure is electrically coupled to the conductive via.

Abstract: The self-ventilated motor (10) comprises a casing (12) having an air inlet opening (18) and an air outlet opening (20) and delimiting an air passage between the air inlet opening (18) and the air outlet opening (20), drive means (13) comprising a shaft (22) housed in the casing (12), a ventilation propeller (24) connected to the shaft (22) upon rotation and housed in the air passage, and a noise reduction device (26). The noise reduction device (26) comprises a first noise reduction member (28), attached to the casing (12) at the air inlet opening (18), a second noise reduction member (30) arranged on the ventilation propeller (24), and a third noise reduction member (32) fixed to the casing (12) at the air outlet opening (20).

Abstract: The electric motor includes a frame defining an inner volume (VI) wherein is accommodated a rotor, a stator and a fan, the frame comprising a first aperture placing the inner volume (VI) of the frame in fluidic communication with the outside of the frame, a second aperture placing the internal volume (VI) of the frame in fluidic communication with the outside of the frame along a radial axis (R) substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation (X) of the rotor. The fan being positioned in proximity to the second aperture and being configured for generating a gas fluid flow (F), at least one acoustic attenuation device is accommodated in the second aperture so as to partly close the second aperture.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a gear shifter operable to shift a manual transmission. An actuator is connected to the shifter and actuatable to bias the shifter to at least a first or second neutral position. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to bias the shifter, via the actuator, to one of the neutral positions based on a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying the volume of an engine intake system to increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine. In one example, a resonance system may be coupled to the engine intake system and a position of a movable element in the resonance system may be varied to vary the volume of the chamber in accordance with engine speed. The intake system provides improved volumetric efficiency for the engine.

Abstract: The electric motor includes a frame defining an inner volume (VI) wherein is accommodated a rotor, a stator and a fan, the frame comprising a first aperture placing the inner volume (VI) of the frame in fluidic communication with the outside of the frame, a second aperture placing the internal volume (VI) of the frame in fluidic communication with the outside of the frame along a radial axis (R) substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation (X) of the rotor. The fan being positioned in proximity to the second aperture and being configured for generating a gas fluid flow (F), at least one acoustic attenuation device is accommodated in the second aperture so as to partly close the second aperture.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a gear shifter operable to shift a manual transmission. An actuator is connected to the shifter and actuatable to bias the shifter to at least a first or second neutral position. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to bias the shifter, via the actuator, to one of the neutral positions based on a speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying the volume of an engine intake system to increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine. In one example, a resonance system may be coupled to the engine intake system and a position of a movable element in the resonance system may be varied to vary the volume of the chamber in accordance with engine speed. The intake system provides improved volumetric efficiency for the engine.

Abstract: A frontal structure for a motor vehicle includes a deployable air dam movable from a stowed position to one or more deployed positions., wherein the. The frontal structure is configured such that when a collision event is detected, predicted or anticipated, the deployable air dam is deployed into a first deployed position in which an edge of the deployable air dam forms the lowest point of the frontal structure and the edge also extends to a point of the frontal structure that is at least as far forward as any other part of the frontal structure of the vehicle in the same vertical plane.

Abstract: An air connector is described mountable opposite an intake or exhaust port in an associated intake or exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine to allow the port to communicate selectively with the associated pipe and with a compressed air storage tank. The connector comprises a stopper mounted on a rod movable by an actuator between an open position in which the port communicates with the associated pipe and a closed position in which the stopper seals around the entrance of the port to isolate the port from the associated pipe. An air passage is provided in the stopper and the rod to allow communication between the port and the compressed air storage tank when the stopper is in the closed position, and a check valve is arranged in the air passage and biased in a direction to prevent escape of air from the compressed air storage tank in all positions of the stopper.

Abstract: An air connector is described mountable opposite an intake or exhaust port in an associated intake or exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine to allow the port to communicate selectively with the associated pipe and with a compressed air storage tank. The connector comprises a stopper mounted on a rod movable by an actuator between an open position in which the port communicates with the associated pipe and a closed position in which the stopper seals around the entrance of the port to isolate the port from the associated pipe. An air passage is provided in the stopper and the rod to allow communication between the port and the compressed air storage tank when the stopper is in the closed position, and a check valve is arranged in the air passage and biased in a direction to prevent escape of air from the compressed air storage tank in all positions of the stopper.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing energy consumption in multiple loads, or in single multi-phase loads. The method and system also compensates for unbalance in multi-phase loads. A central controller monitors variable reactances in the loads and identifies situations of power and/or current fluctuation and/or unbalance. It determines appropriate corrective action by the other loads/phases to compensate for the power and/or current change or unbalance due to the problematic load, and it issues control signals instructing variable reactor controllers associated with the other loads to adjust accordingly. The method and system may by applied to electric arc furnace installations. An electrode position controller may be used in place of, or in conjunction with, the variable reactance control system to take corrective action to address power and/or current changes or unbalances. The system and method may be employed to maintain a predetermined level of unbalance in the system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine of the type having an engine cylinder with a reciprocating piston, first and second intake ports for admitting gas from an ambient air supply into the engine cylinder, first and second intake valves each arranged between a respective one of the intake ports and the engine cylinder, a non-return valve arranged in the second of the intake ports at a distance from the second intake valve and oriented to allow gas to flow only towards the engine cylinder, and a variable valve actuating system for controlling the opening and closing of at least the second intake valve. In the method of the invention, in at least one operating mode of the engine, the second intake valve is opened and closed, while the cylinder is fully isolated from the ambient air, to permit gas transfer between the cylinder and an auxiliary chamber temporarily defined by the part of the second intake port lying between the second intake valve and the non-return valve.

Abstract: A programmable control device includes an input unit, a memory unit, an execution unit, a monitor unit and an output unit. The input unit has at least one input terminal for receiving an input signal. The memory unit defines plural feature tables for corresponding functional units, the feature table defining a state of the functional unit and an event to be executed according to an input signal corresponding to the state. The execution unit executes an event corresponding to the functional unit triggered by an input signal, and thus produces a driving signal and/or an output signal. The monitor unit monitors the execution unit to trigger a corresponding functional unit and to use the driving signal as an input signal for the functional unit to execute a corresponding event. The output unit has at least one terminal to output the output signal.

Abstract: A reciprocating gas compressor is described operating according to an extended cycle of 4,6 or more strokes, wherein the first two strokes are sequential induction and compression strokes using a low pressure gas as working fluid and compressing it to a high pressure gas, and the remaining strokes are pairs of sequential filling and emptying strokes using more of the low pressure gas as heat transfer fluid for transferring heat from inside the gas compressor to outside the gas compressor. The gas compressor also contains an in-cylinder heat regenerator for absorbing heat from the compressed gas and releasing heat to the heat transfer fluid thus achieving near-isothermal compression. Using parallel principles, a reciprocating gas expander is also described for achieving near-isothermal expansion.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing energy consumption in multiple loads, or in single multi-phase loads. The method and system also compensates for unbalance in multi-phase loads. A central controller monitors variable reactances in the loads and identifies situations of power and/or current fluctuation and/or unbalance. It determines appropriate corrective action by the other loads/phases to compensate for the power and/or current change or unbalance due to the problematic load, and it issues control signals instructing variable reactor controllers associated with the other loads to adjust accordingly. The method and system may by applied to electric arc furnace installations. In this context, the method and system provide an electrode position controller coupled to the feed rate controller so as to predictively anticipate the introduction of new source material and lower the electrodes so as to prevent arc extinguishment while the variable reactors maintain predetermined power set-points.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing energy consumption in multiple loads, or in single multi-phase loads. The method and system also compensates for unbalance in multi-phase loads. A central controller monitors variable reactances in the loads and identifies situations of power and/or current fluctuation and/or unbalance. It determines appropriate corrective action by the other loads/phases to compensate for the power and/or current change or unbalance due to the problematic load, and it issues control signals instructing variable reactor controllers associated with the other loads to adjust accordingly. The method and system may by applied to electric arc furnace installations. In this context, the method and system provide an electrode position controller coupled to the feed rate controller so as to predicatively anticipate the introduction of new feed material and lower the electrodes so as to prevent arc extinguishment while the variable reactors maintain predetermined power set-points.