Abstract

Method for monitoring the strain and/or stress of at least one portion of a structure in composite material (10) having a body adapted to define a neutral axis (N) when loaded, comprising the steps of providing at least two fibre-optic strain sensors (11, 12), so as to provide a pair of fibre-optic strain sensors; embedding both fibre-optic strain sensors (11, 12) of the pair within the body of the structure in composite material, said fibre-optic strain sensors of the pair being mutually flanked and arranged opposite with respect to the neutral axis (N) of the structure in composite material; obtaining strain measurements from each of the fibre-optic strain sensors (11, 12) of the pair; computing, based on the obtained strain measurements, a strained configuration of the at least one portion of the structure in composite material (10) and/or the extent of applied load (F).

IPC Classes  ?

• G01L 1/24 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis
• G01M 5/00 - Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or aircraft wings
• G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A preload and retraction device (10, 10') of a wheel assembly comprises a linear guide (11), an internal slider (12) and an external slider (13) movable along the linear guide (11), a linear elastic member (14) arranged to connect the two sliders (12) (13), a first wheel support arm (15) integral with the internal slider (12) and a second wheel support arm (19) integral with the external slider (13), with the external slider (13) carrying a weight support wheel (20) that is actuated and the internal slider (12) carrying a traction wheel (16) that comes into contact with a rolling surface with a preload force that is a function of the geometry of the system. The use of the device (10, 10') is particularly advantageous for supporting the wheels in a self-propelled cart (100) of the type suitable for moving along a railway track for the inspection of the underbody of railway vehicles as it greatly facilitates and at least partially automates the installation of the self-propelled cart (100) on the track.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 15/12 - Railway inspection trolleys power-propelled

Abstract

A self-propelled cart (100) of the type suitable for moving along a railway track for the inspection of the underbody of railway vehicles comprising a substantially flat frame (10) provided with support and movement members on wheels comprising active support means (20) and passive support means (30) retractable transversely and dimensioned to support said frame (10) below the upper rolling surface (S) of said rail (R) and adapted to avoid interference with fastening members of said rails (R) even in the presence of railway vehicles on said tracks. The self-propelled cart is peculiarly provided with a positioning device (5) that allows the positioning and vertical and transverse centring of the self-propelled cart (100) with respect to the rails (R) during the passage in operative configuration of the active support means (20) and passive support means (30).

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 15/12 - Railway inspection trolleys power-propelled

Abstract

The invention concerns a miniaturised device (10) suitable for deploying substances into the leaves (F) of plants comprising an array of anchoring micro-elements (12) made of a soluble material. The device also comprises sensors (23), so that it is possible to simultaneously deploy substances on both the abaxial and the adaxial side of the leaf (F) and simultaneously monitor the effects thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01G 7/06 - Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants

Abstract

It is provided a positioning device (1) for ultrasound probe (10) comprising a membrane (2) configured to adhere to a knee (100) of a user, defining one or more at a choice of a reference point (2a) configured to be positioned at the centre of the patella of the knee (100) and a reference line (2b) configured to be positioned at the rear bend line of the knee (100), and including a plurality of openings (3, 3', 3", 3"') each defining an amplitude configured to allow the probe (10) to be brought into contact with the knee (100) exclusively through the opening (3, 3', 3", 3") and a centre (3a, 3a', 3a") positioned at a predetermined point relative to the reference point (2a) or reference line (2b) to allow the probe (10) to investigate specific points of the knee (10) in a controlled manner.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 8/08 - Clinical applications
• A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

The invention concerns a novel phase generated carrier demodulation method for homodyne interferometers which is robust to modulation depth variations and source intensity fluctuations. By digitally mixing the waveform with a multitone synthetic waveform (a linear combination of harmonics of the modulating signal), distortion can become negligible even in presence of large variations of modulation depth. The method only requires two mixers and can also provide the DC component of the phase in real time, without needing any previously recorded data or ellipse-fitting algorithms.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 9/02 - Interferometers
• H04L 27/22 - Demodulator circuitsReceiver circuits

Abstract

A semiautomatic (1) sensorized apparatus for the execution of inspections of the railway pantograph (P) is detachably associated to a railway pantograph and allows the execution of two distinct tests in succession: i) the first one, which monitors the functional properties of the pantograph, based on the characterization of the thrust force generated by the main suspension; ii) the second, which aims to identify global and local defects, adopting the principle of inspection by means of vibration analysis.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01M 17/08 - Railway vehicles
• B60L 13/10 - Combination of electric propulsion and magnetic suspension or levitation

Abstract

A support (1) is provided comprising a culture chamber (2) for a cell culture; a film (3a, 3b) defining two first surfaces (2b) of the chamber (2), being opposite to each other with respect to the chamber (2) and designed to be crossed by ultrasound; a base body (4) defining second surfaces (2c) of the chamber, which are complementary to the first surfaces (2b); and mechanical attachment means (5a, 5b) attaching said film (3a, 3b) to said base body (4), thereby enabling said at least one film (3a, 3b) to be tensioned and said chamber (2) to be sealed.

IPC Classes  ?

• C12M 1/00 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
• C12M 3/00 - Tissue, human, animal or plant cell, or virus culture apparatus
• C12M 1/12 - Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology with sterilisation, filtration, or dialysis means
• C12M 1/42 - Apparatus for the treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic wave

Abstract

A semiautomatic (1) sensorized apparatus for the execution of inspections of the railway pantograph (P) is detachably associated to a railway pantograph and allows the execution of two distinct tests in succession: i) the first one, which monitors the functional properties of the pantograph, based on the characterization of the thrust force generated by the main suspension; ii) the second, which aims to identify global and local defects, adopting the principle of inspection by means of vibration analysis.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01M 17/08 - Railway vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for the ex vivo intraoperative analysis of a biological tissue sample (C) comprises supporting means (11) to which said sample (C) can be stably associated, ultrasound sensors (103), tactile sensors (101), vision sensors (102), moving members (12) of said supporting means (11) with respect to the various data acquisition bodies (10), and a control unit (13) for receiving data from the acquisition bodies (10), the processing of the same and the control of the data acquisition bodies (10) themselves and of the moving members (12), so that the ex-vivo intraoperative analysis of the biological tissue sample can take place automatically in or near the operative compartment with a pathologist who can manage the apparatus and remotely analyze the results, also through a teleoperation and telepalpation system connected to a haptic interface.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 33/483 - Physical analysis of biological material
• A61B 8/08 - Clinical applications
• G02B 21/00 - Microscopes
• G01N 1/00 - SamplingPreparing specimens for investigation
• A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
• A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
• A61B 34/00 - Computer-aided surgeryManipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery

Abstract

A wearable assisted-walking device (1) adapted to be worn by a user, comprising one lower attachment body (2) to the foot defining a lower anchoring point (2a) at the heel of the foot of a leg of the user; an upper attachment body (3) to an upper part of the leg proximal from the knee defining, for each the lower attachment body (2), an upper ventral anchoring point (3a) and an upper dorsal anchoring point (3b) arranged on the opposite side of the coronal plane of the user; and, for each the lower attachment body (2), an intermediate attachment body (5) comprising an attachment (51) integrally constrained to the leg of the user, a kinematic storage mechanism (52) defining, at the leg, a first intermediate anchoring point (5a) movable with respect to the attachment (51) and a second intermediate anchoring point (5b) respect to the attachment (51); the kinematic storage mechanism (52) being adapted to store the energy taking advantage of a motion of the intermediate anchoring point (5a) respect to the attachment (51) and to release the energy causing the movement of the intermediate anchoring point (5b) with respect to the attachment (51), a locking system (53) defining, at the leg, a third intermediate anchoring point (5c) movable with respect to the attachment (51); the locking system (53) defining a locking position in which the locking system (53) prevents the kinematic storage mechanism (52) from releasing the energy and a releasing position in which the locking system (53) allows the kinematic storage mechanism (52) to release the energy, a loading cable (54) connecting the upper dorsal anchoring point (3b) to the first intermediate anchoring point (5a) allowing the kinematic storage mechanism (52) to store the energy on the basis of a first motion between the upper body (3) and the intermediate body (5), a discharging cable (55) connecting the lower anchoring point (2b) to the second intermediate anchoring point (5b) allowing the kinematic storage mechanism (52) to release the energy causing a motion of the lower body (2) and a releasing cable (57) connecting the upper ventral anchoring point (3a) to the third intermediate anchoring point (5a) so as to control the switching of the locking system (5) from the locking position to the releasing position on the basis of a second motion between the upper body (3) and the intermediate body (5).

IPC Classes  ?

• A61H 3/00 - Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
• A61H 1/02 - Stretching or bending apparatus for exercising
• A61F 2/68 - Operating or control means
• A61F 5/01 - Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces

Abstract

The device (1) for generating electric current by means of the sea waves, comprises a rigid box- shaped structure (3) immersed in the sea (M), which defines an insulated chamber (4) closed at the top by the elastic membrane (2) of a dielectric elastomeric generator, whose upper side (2A) is subjected to the wave action. In the insulated chamber (4) it its present a pressurized compressible fluid (6), whose pressure can be regulated during operation by means of dynamic response variator means (5), comprising members (51, 52) for the inflow and the outflow. The particular geometry of the device results in the combination of a negative hydrostatic stiffness effect (the hydrostatic forces tend the more to deform the membrane (2) downwards, the more the membrane (2) itself is deformed) which is opposed to the intrinsic positive elastic stiffness of the elastic membrane (2), allowing the natural frequency of the device to be tuned to the typical frequency of the sea waves through an appropriate selection of the design parameters. By increasing or reducing the pressure of the compressible fluid (6) in the insulated chamber (4), moreover, they are increased or decreased the stiffness of the elastic membrane (2) and its deformability level under the action of said wave motion, thus optimizing the energy efficiency of the device in the different sea conditions and ensuring its safety in extreme conditions.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
• F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore

Abstract

The method involves the printing, in advance, of two lens elements (1, 2) made of polymeric material, each to be placed in a respective half mold (91, 92), within respective housing seats (91A, 92A). It is then positioned a disc-shaped piezoelectric transducer (4) and two electric wires (3, 5), so that they remain interposed between said lens elements (1, 2) at the closure of the half molds (91, 92). In the mold (9) thus formed is injected polymeric material, which incorporates the sandwich¬ like capsule (C) formed by the lens elements (1, 2) in a disc-shaped member (95), from two opposite faces (101, 102) from which they protrude respective spherical caps defined by convex central portions (12A, 22A) of said lens elements (1, 2). From the disc-shaped member (95) protrude the remaining portions of the electric wires (3, 5); the set thus obtained defines an encapsulated transducer (100) suitable for haptic interfaces (200) having, for example, bracelet structure (210).

IPC Classes  ?

• B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction

Abstract

Optical solutions to address and overcome the issues of superseding/replacing electrical interconnection networks have generally exploited some form of optical space switching. Such optical space switching architectures required multiple switching elements, leading to increased power consumption and footprint issues. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for new optical, e.g. fiber optic or integrated optical, interconnection architectures to address the traditional hierarchal time-division multiplexed (TDM) space based routing and interconnection to provide reduced latency, increased flexibility, lower cost, and lower power consumption. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to exploit networks operating in multiple domains by overlaying mode division multiplexing to provide increased throughput in bus, point-to-point networks, and multi-cast networks, for example, discretely or in combination with wavelength division multiplexing.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04J 14/04 - Mode multiplex systems
• G02B 6/293 - Optical coupling means having data bus means, i.e. plural waveguides interconnected and providing an inherently bidirectional system by mixing and splitting signals with wavelength selective means
• G02B 6/12 - Light guidesStructural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings of the optical waveguide type of the integrated circuit kind
• H04J 14/02 - Wavelength-division multiplex systems
• H04Q 11/00 - Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
• H04B 10/2581 - Multimode transmission

Abstract

The device (1) takes up the basic structure and operation of the McKibben type artificial muscles and similar, in which is provided a hollow cylindrical chamber (2), of resilient material, which is inflated in the active phase (K).The chamber (2) interacts with a braided sleeve (3), consisting of threads (31, 32), almost inextensible, arranged in crossed helical paths having a characteristic angle of inclination ß with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the device (1). The sleeve (3) is connected at the ends with two rigid head members (4 A, 4B) provided to be mechanically connected to external bodies. The invention provides adjusting means (5), associated to said rigid head members (4 A, 4B) adapted to vary their distance (D) at rest, so as to require a proportional and consistent change in the angle of inclination ß: if the latter is exactly 54.7°, the device (1), in the active phase (K) stiffens without dimensional changes, if the angle ß is greater an axial extension is obtained, if the angle ß is smaller an axial contraction is obtained.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 2/74 - Operating or control means fluid
• B25J 9/14 - Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by positioning means for manipulator elements fluid
• F15B 15/10 - Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to anotherGearing associated therewith characterised by the construction of the motor unit the motor being of diaphragm type
• A61F 2/68 - Operating or control means
• A61F 2/50 - Prostheses not implantable in the body

Abstract

Integrated closed-loop real-time limb neuro-prosthetic system comprising an artificial limb, a microprocessor, sensors, a signal conditioner, a stimulator, at least one EMG electrode and at least one sensory feedback electrode, characterized by the fact that said sensory feedback electrode is an intraneural electrode which is adapted to be implanted in an intact and healthy portion of a nerve.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 2/72 - Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• A61N 1/05 - Electrodes for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode
• A61F 2/68 - Operating or control means
• A61F 2/76 - Means for assembling, fitting, or testing prostheses, e.g. for measuring or balancing

Abstract

A robotic device (100) for generating forces to assist or to resist the movement of the human body comprises a frame (110) that has a fixed point (A) and an articulation point (O) arranged at a predetermined mutual distance (a1), and a proximal arm (120), pivotally connected to the frame (110) at the articulation point (O). The proximal arm (120) has a loading point (O' ) arranged at a predetermined distance (L1) from the articulation point (O) along a proximal axis (125) having a predetermined direction (x). The proximal axis (125) is adapted to carry out a first rotation of a predetermined amplitude (θ1) in the plane (n) that contains the fixed point (A) and the proximal axis (125). The robotic device (100) also comprises an elongated resilient proximal element (160) that has a predetermined stiffness (k1) and that is constrained to proximal arm (120) and to the frame (110), in order to generate an interaction moment (Mini) with respect to the articulation point (O). The interaction moment (Min1) acts on the proximal arm (120) and is configured to generate an interaction force (Fin1) on the proximal arm (120) parallel to the direction (y) and applied to the loading point (Ο' ). The robotic device (100) also comprises a carriage (111) that is slidingly arranged on the proximal arm (120) and that has a first balancing point (B) arranged on the proximal axis (125) and arranged at a predetermined balancing distance (b1) from the articulation point (O). The carriage (111) is arranged to move along the proximal axis (125), in order to adjust the balancing distance (b1). An adjusting means is provided (112, 112', 113, 113', 114) arranged to actuate automatically the carriage (111) along the proximal axis (125).

IPC Classes  ?

• B25J 9/00 - Programme-controlled manipulators

Abstract

Scalability and energy efficiency are key issues in data centers imposing tight constraints on the networking infrastructure connecting the servers. Optical interconnection mitigates electronic limitations but the additional flexibility offered by WDM and datarate across a data center interconnection network requires architectural design, photonic technologies, and operating strategies be selected and optimized to meet power consumption requirements. Multi-plane architectures based upon space-wavelength domain architectures have been proposed to overcome scalability limitations. It would be beneficial to extend space and time switching domains with the wavelength domain for additional capacity to increase throughput as well as providing same electro-optic interface. Accordingly, the inventors have established space-time domain interconnection network architectures with wavelength domain overlay overcoming power consumption issues, especially at low utilization, by exploiting all-optical implementations with active elements which act simultaneously as a switch and an amplifier, and the possibility to remain in an idle state when unused.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04J 14/00 - Optical multiplex systems
• H04J 14/02 - Wavelength-division multiplex systems
• H04Q 11/06 - Time-space-time switching
• H04J 14/08 - Time-division multiplex systems
• H04Q 11/00 - Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems

Abstract

A therapeutic agent for the treatment of blood vessels, preferably applied to coronary stents, characterised in that it comprises compounds with a 2,3-diphenyl-4H- pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-one nucleus.

IPC Classes  ?

• C07D 471/04 - Ortho-condensed systems
• A61K 31/519 - PyrimidinesHydrogenated pyrimidines, e.g. trimethoprim ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
• A61P 7/00 - Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid

Abstract

A sensor mat structure for measuring plantar pressures comprises a support base (1) where a plurality of sensors are arranged. Each sensor comprises a deformable cell (20) having a truncated pyramid structure and, together with the support base, defining a housing (25) in which at least one emitter (12) of a light source and at least one photosensitive detector (14) are housed, to measure a changing light intensity owing to the deformation of each cell when it is subjected to the load P. A separation element (13) is located between said emitter and said detector. When the cell is subjected to the load P, the separation element lowers proportionally to the load P and the side walls (23) expand laterally, in order to occupy a deformation space D less than the separation space S. The sensor mat structure may be a sensorized insole configured to fit a shoe.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/103 - Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes