Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100317094 | MILK ANALYSIS MICROFLUIDIC APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MASTITIS IN A MILK SAMPLE - A milk analysis apparatus for detecting mastitis in a milk sample by isolating somatic cells in the form of a pellet using centrifugal sedimentation is described. The apparatus comprises a vessel for holding the milk sample, and a centrifuge for rotating the vessel. The vessel includes an inlet for facilitating charging milk into a body portion of the vessel; and a trap for capturing somatic cells suspended in the milk sample. The somatic cells are biased towards the trap upon rotation of the vessel. | 12-16-2010 |
20110045993 | MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE FOR ASSESSING OBJECT/TEST MATERIAL INTERACTIONS - An object/test material interaction microti iridic device comprising a sample inlet adapted to receive a fluid sample comprising a plurality of objects, an outlet adapted to output the fluid sample from the device, at least one internal surface defining a flow cavity within the device, wherein the flow cavity extends between and is connected to the sample inlet and the outlet for flow of the fluid sample through the flow cavity, the flow cavity comprises a test area to which at least one test material is attached and which is situated in the flow cavity for flow of the fluid sample over the test area, and the flow cavity has an aspect ratio which, when the flow cavity is substantially filled by the fluid sample, provides a substantially constant shear force between the test area and the fluid sample flowing over the test area. The invention further comprises a system incorporating the device, methods of use of the device and system, and methods of analysing interactions. | 02-24-2011 |
20110263452 | PLATELET ANALYSIS - The present invention relates to a method, including a diagnostic method, for characterising platelets. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for characterising platelets by immobilising platelets on a substrate for detection and subsequent characterisation, and to devices on which such a method may be practiced. The method comprises the steps of:—a.contacting a substrate that includes a plurality of discrete platelet- binding zones having a surface area of 7850 μm | 10-27-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090050110 | ACCUMULATION-VOLUME FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE - The injection system comprises a pump designed to send fuel at high pressure to an accumulation volume, for example formed by a common rail, for supplying a plurality of injectors. The pump comprises at least one pumping element actuated with reciprocating motion with a compression stroke at a sinusoidal speed, in synchronism with each step of fuel injection. The injection system comprises at least one by-pass solenoid valve, which is controlled by a chopper control unit for modulating the delivery of the pumping element by varying both the instant of start and the instant of end of delivery during the compression stroke, in such a way that the delivery is synchronous with the injection phase. | 02-26-2009 |
20090071005 | METHOD FOR OBTAINING A FUEL INJECTOR FOR AN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE, AND AN INJECTOR MADE ACCORDING TO SAID METHOD - A fuel injector for an internal-combustion engine comprises an injector body and an injection-control valve, which in turn comprises: an open/close element; an elastic thrust element for pushing the open/close element; and a solenoid actuator, which can be actuated for exerting an action countering the thrust exerted by the elastic element. The solenoid actuator is formed by a monolithic assembly obtained in a mould, in which there is injected, on a core and a coil coupled to one another, a plastic material, which defines, once it has solidified, a body for insulation of the core from the injector body and which forms, once it has solidified, a monolithic assembly with the core and the coil. | 03-19-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120260871 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, WITH A SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ACTUATION OF THE INTAKE VALVES PROVIDED WITH IMPROVED SOLENOID VALVES, AND SOLENOID VALVE FOR THIS ENGINE - An internal combustion engine for motor-vehicles, includes a system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine having a solenoid valve controllable between a closed condition and an open condition wherein it places a pressurized fluid chamber in communication with an exhaust chamber, with the aim of decoupling the intake valve from the respective tappet and causing the quick closing of the intake valve due to the respective return spring. The solenoid valve has a valve element with a cylindrical body having a first conical surface portion and a second conical surface portion. The conical surface portions are defined by the axially opposite ends of a circumferential groove formed on the valve element. The first conical surface portion cooperates with the valve seat. The other conical surface portion has an outer diameter substantially identical to the diameter of the annular edge defining the valve seat. | 10-18-2012 |
20130134337 | SOLENOID VALVE - A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled. | 05-30-2013 |
20140033997 | INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING A SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ACTUATION OF THE INTAKE VALVES, PROVIDED WITH THREE-WAY SOLENOID VALVES, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAID ENGINE - An internal-combustion engine with two intake valves for each cylinder is provided with a system for variable actuation of the intake valves, including a single solenoid valve for each cylinder that controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber of the system with an exhaust channel. The solenoid valve is a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, including an inlet permanently communicating with the pressurized-fluid chamber and with the hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating, respectively, with the actuator of the other intake valve and with the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both of the outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the aforementioned outlet connected to the actuator of an intake valve and does not communicate, instead, with the outlet connected to the exhaust channel, and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. | 02-06-2014 |
20140318484 | INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING A SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ACTUATION OF THE INTAKE VALUES, PROVIDED WITH THREE-WAY SOLENOID VALVES, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAID ENGINE IN "SINGLE-LIFT" MODE - An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140331948 | INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE, WITH SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ACTUATION OF THE INTAKE VALVES PROVIDED WITH A THREE-WAY ELECTRIC VALVE HAVING THREE LEVELS OF SUPPLY CURRENT, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAID ENGINE - An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position control valve with an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating, respectively, with the actuator of the other intake valve and with said exhaust channel. The control valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both of the outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of an intake valve and does not communicate, with the outlet connected to the exhaust channel, and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with the two outlets. The control valve has an electric actuator supplied, only at three different values of electric current to bring the valve into the three positions. | 11-13-2014 |
20140346258 | THREE-WAY THREE-POSITION CONTROL VALVE HAVING A PIEZOELECTRIC OR MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ACTUATOR, AND FUEL-INJECTION SYSTEM COMPRISING THE AFORESAID VALVE - An electrically actuated control valve has three mouths and three operating positions, in which the three mouths includes a first mouth for inlet of a working fluid, and a second mouth and a third mouth for outlet of the working fluid. The three operating positions include a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of said second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled. The control valve includes an electric or electromagnetic actuator for controlling the passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second and third mouths providing the aforesaid three operating positions. | 11-27-2014 |
20150034031 | Internal-combustion engine having a system for variable actuation of the intake valves, provided with an electrically actuated valve having two ways and three positions - An internal-combustion engine includes a system for variable actuation of intake valves, including a control valve for each cylinder, which controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber with a discharge channel. The control valve has at least three different positions, namely, a first completely open position, a second partially open position, and a third completely closed position. Electronic control means are programmed for keeping the control valve in its closed position in operating stages in which the intake valve must remain coupled to the respective cam and for bringing the control valve from its completely closed position to its partially open position or to its completely open position in operating stages in which the intake valve must be uncoupled from the respective cam, selection between the first position and said second position of the control valve being made as a function of one or more operating parameters of the engine. | 02-05-2015 |
20150034193 | Electrically actuated valve having two ways and three positions - An electrically actuated valve includes a first working way and a second working way and a poppet configured for providing a seal on a valve seat set hydraulically between the first working way and the second working way. The poppet includes a first operating position, a second operating position, and a third operating position, and is displaceable by an electrical-actuation device. In the first operating position, a passage area for a hydraulic fluid defined between said valve seat and said poppet has a maximum value. In the second operating position, the passage area is partialized and has a value lower than said maximum value. In the third operating position, the poppet is in contact with the valve seat, and the passage area has a substantially zero value, so that the first working way is isolated from the second working way. | 02-05-2015 |