Eltek S.p.a.

Mauro Zorzetto

Giorgio Martinengo

Marco Pizzi

Matteo Rondano

Paolo Colombo

Domenico Cantarelli

Costanzo Gadini

Marco Bigliati

Alberto Barbano

Enrico Chiesa

Fabio Cavalli

Piercarlo Merlano

Fabio Nebbia

Luca Vercellotti

Marco Bizzarro

Luca Costa

Daniel Verner Mueller

Giorgio Fagnola

Massimo Zanin

Stefano Allera

Fulvio Cerutti

Mirco Arata

Marco Molinaro

Luiz Wagner Main

A semifinished product of an electric heater device () has a structure that extends in a length direction (L) and that comprises: —two connection bodies (), which substantially extend alongside one another or parallel to one another in the length direction (L) and are at least in part flexible or deformable in the length direction (L); and —a plurality of heating bodies (), each heating body () including a material having a PTC effect. The heating bodies () are set at a distance from one another in the length direction (L) and generally extend in a direction transverse to the length direction (L). The material having a PTC effect is a polymer-based material that is in electrical contact with the at least two connection bodies (). Each of the at least two connection bodies () comprises electrical- and mechanical-connection parts (), which have a mesh structure that is at least partially embedded or englobed in the polymer-based material.

Semi-finished product of an electric heater device

A level sensor comprises an electrical-connection structure and a level-detection structure. The level-detection structure comprises a plurality of elongated electrodes, which include at least three measuring electrodes. The elongated electrodes extend at least partially in side-by-sidey positions in a length direction of the level-detection structure and each have a proximal end and a distal end relative to the electrical-connection structure. The level-detection structure is divided, in the length direction, into a succession of detection sections, each of which includes two effective portions of two respective measuring electrodes, the two effective portions extending to a prevalent extent substantially parallel and equidistant, at a first predetermined distance from each other, in the length direction. In the detection sections there also extends, in the length direction, a non-effective portion of one further elongated electrode other than the two measuring electrodes that define the two effective portions of the corresponding detection section, the at least one further elongated electrode being one measuring electrode or else a reference electrode. The elongated electrodes are shaped in such a way that, at one or more of the detection sections, the non-effective portion of the at least one further elongated electrode extends to a prevalent extent at respective second predetermined distances from the corresponding two effective portions, the second predetermined distances being greater than the first predetermined distance.

Level sensor for detecting the level of a medium

A capacitive level sensor comprises a control circuit, a supporting structure and a detection structure on the supporting structure. The detection structure comprises a plurality of electrodes, each including a connection part and a plurality of detection parts which extend in a transverse direction relative to a length direction of the sensor, the detection parts of a first electrode being interdigitated with respect to the detection parts of a second electrode. The detection structure includes a plurality of detection sections, which extend in succession in the length direction and include an upper section and one or more underlying lower sections. Each detection section includes respective first and second electrodes, which are electrically insulated from one another and with respect to the first and second electrodes of the other detection sections. The control circuit is prearranged for selectively applying an electrical potential difference between the first and second electrodes of a corresponding detection section, for detecting a value of electrical capacitance therebetween, and deriving therefrom the level of a medium.

Capacitive sensor for detection of the level of a medium

An optical sensor device () for a fluid substance (LS) comprises a device body () having a detection portion (), associated to which is a sensitive optical part that comprises at least one of an emitter () and a receiver () of an optical radiation (R, R). The detection portion () is made of a material transparent to the optical radiation (R, R) and has an inner surface () and an outer surface (), the outer surface () being designed to be in contact with the fluid substance (LS) and the inner surface () being designed to be isolated from the fluid substance. The at least one of the emitter () and the receiver () of the sensitive optical part is optically coupled to the inner surface () of the detection portion (), in such a way that the optical radiation (R, R) is at least in part propagated through the detection portion (), in particular with an angle and/or an intensity that is variable as a function of a characteristic of the fluid substance. The optical sensor device () comprises a protection arrangement, configured for preventing possible deformation of the detection portion () caused by an increase in volume of the fluid substance (LS), in particular deformation of at least one of its inner surface () and its outer surface (). The protection arrangement comprises at least one compensation element () having an elastically deformable body, which is able to contract, for compensating thereby a possible increase in volume of the fluid substance (LS) or else for enabling a reversible displacement of the detection portion () following upon a possible increase in volume of the fluid substance (LS).

Optical sensor device for fluid substances having a protection arrangement for compensating increase in fluid volume or pressure

An electrical heating device comprises: a first electrode layer (), made of electrically conductive material; a second electrode layer (), made of electrically conductive material; and a heating layer, made of a material having a PTC effect, wherein the first electrode layer () and the second electrode layer () face one another, with at least one part of the heating layer that is set between the first electrode layer () and the second electrode layer (), in contact with them. At least one region () of the at least one from among the first electrode layer (), the second electrode layer (), and said at least one part of the heating layer has a plurality of electrically non-conductive sites (), which are prearranged for bringing about: &#x2014;an emission of heat by the heating device () in said at least one region () that is different from the emission of heat by the heating device () in at least one other region () of the at least one from among the first electrode layer (), the second electrode layer (), and said at least one part (') of the heating layer (); and/or &#x2014;an emission of heat by the heating device () at the first electrode layer () that is different from the emission of heat by the heating device () at the second electrode layer ().

Electrical heating device, in particular with PTC effect

A capacitive level-sensor device, for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, is configured for being installed on the outside of the container, in a position substantially resting against a wall of the container that is made at least in part of an electrically insulating material. The circuit support has, in a sensing region thereof, at least one first plurality of first capacitive elements, which comprise at least one first array of first electrodes, preferably set at a distance apart from one another along a level-detection axis, the first electrodes being made of an electrically conductive material and being arranged at least in part in a position corresponding to at least one first side of a supporting structure of the circuit support. The first electrodes are covered with at least one insulation or protection layer made of an electrically insulating and sealing material, which is selected from materials that include silicon, or its derivatives or compounds, and materials that include fluorine derivatives or compounds.

Device for detecting the level of a medium

A capacitive level sensor device, for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, comprises a circuit support, which extends longitudinally substantially according to level-detection axis. The circuit support has, in a detection region thereof, at least one first plurality of first capacitive elements, which comprise at least one first array of first electrodes, preferably spaced from one another along the level-detection axis, which are arranged in a position corresponding to at least one first side of a supporting structure of the circuit support. The sensor device has a casing body which comprises an electrically insulating and fluid-tight detection portion, which covers the detection region of the circuit support. The detection portion of the casing body comprises an overmoulded outer coating, made of a first electrically insulating polymeric material, which defines an outer surface of the casing body designed to be in contact with the medium the level of which has to be detected. Between the overmoulded outer coating and the first electrodes there is set at least one intermediate layer made of an electrically insulating material different from the first material. The at least one intermediate layer comprises a layer made of a material selected from among materials that include silicon, or derivatives or compounds thereof, and materials that include fluorine derivatives or compounds.

A capacitive level sensor device, for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, comprises a circuit support, which extends longitudinally substantially according to level-detection axis. The circuit support has, in a detection region thereof, at least one first plurality of first capacitive elements, which comprise at least one first array of first electrodes (J), preferably spaced from one another along the level-detection axis, which are arranged in a position corresponding to at least one first side of the circuit support. The sensor device has a casing body which comprises an electrically insulating and fluid-tight detection portion, which covers the detection region of the circuit support. The detection portion of the casing body comprises an overmoulded outer coating, made of a first electrically insulating polymeric material, which defines an outer surface of the casing body designed to be in contact with the medium the level of which has to be detected. The first electrodes (J) are enclosed within the supporting structure of the circuit support at least at the detection region thereof, and, at least at the detection region, between the overmoulded outer coating and the supporting structure of the circuit support there is set at least one intermediate layer made of an electrically insulating material different from the first material.

An optical sensor has a body including a transparent interface wall having an outer surface in contact with a liquid, to define therewith a reflection interface. An optical module is coupled at an inner surface of the interface wall, to detect a characteristic of the liquid substance via light reflection. The optical module includes a light emitter and a light receiver facing respective inclined surfaces of the interface wall. The optical module also includes a supporting structure which is elastically flexible, to enable the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical module to vary a relative position thereof and with respect to the inclined surfaces of the interface wall, when the supporting structure is secured to the inner surface of the interface wall.

Sensor device for containers of liquid substances

A capacitive level-sensor device, for detecting the level of at least one medium contained in a container comprises: The control circuit is prearranged for carrying out a sequential sampling of the inputs of the plurality of first inputs and for comparing a value representing the capacitance associated to each electrode with at least one corresponding reference threshold. The detection part further comprises at least one temperature sensor, connected to at least one respective second input of the control circuit. The control circuit is moreover prearranged for carrying out a compensation of at least one of the following: according to information representing at least one temperature value acquired on the at least one second input.

Device and method for detecting the level of a medium

A capacitive level-sensor device comprises: &#x2014;a circuit substrate made of electrically insulating material () that extends longitudinally according to a level-sensing axis; &#x2014;a first array of electrodes or capacitive elements on a sensing region () of the circuit substrate (), which comprises at least one first series of first electrodes (J-J) coplanar to one another at a major face of the circuit substrate (); &#x2014;a circuit, which comprises circuit components associated to a second region () of the circuit substrate (); and&#x2014;a casing body (-), which comprises at least: a sensing portion (), which is electrically insulating and fluid-tight and coats at least the sensing region () of the circuit substrate (); and a mounting portion (), which coats at least partially the second region () of the circuit substrate () and is configured for fluid-tight fixing at an opening () of a container (). The sensing portion () and at least part of the mounting portion () comprise at least one material (M) overmoulded on at least part of the circuit substrate (). The second region () of the circuit substrate () includes at least one restricted substrate portion (), having a substrate width (Wr) smaller than the substrate width (W) of the sensing region (). At least part of the at least one restricted substrate portion () extends axially in the mounting portion ().

Component of tank of liquid additive of system for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engine, has body positioned in fluid-tight way at opening of the tank and incorporates plurality of functional devices for managing liquid additive to be delivered to treatment system. Body of tank component is moulded using plastic material chemically resistant to liquid additive and is provided with at least one passageway for liquid additive. The plurality of functional devices comprises pump and pressure sensor having pressure-sensitive element. Passageway comprises delivery path for the liquid additive, which is defined at least in part in first wall of body of tank component and has inlet end configured for connection to delivery duct of the pump. Defined at outer side of first wall is at least one seat for positioning at least one part of pressure sensor. Moreover defined in the first wall is at least one passage for setting delivery path for liquid additive in fluid communication with sensitive element of pressure sensor.

Tank component, in particular for exhaust-gas treatment system of internal-combustion engines

A sensor device for a container of a liquid substance comprises a body with a housing portion having a closing structure, the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The housing portion is pre-arranged for assembly on the container, in such a way that a portion of the outer surface of the body faces the inside of the container to be in contact with the liquid substance, and the inner surface of the body is isolated from the inside of the container. Associated to the body is a first arrangement for detection of the level of the substance. Associated to the body of the device is a second arrangement for detection of a characteristic of the liquid substance, which comprises an emitter and a receiver of a given optical radiation. A first portion of the body of the device is made of a material designed for propagation of the given optical radiation, the emitter and the receiver being optically coupled to the inner surface of the body at the first portion. The first portion of the body of the device is shaped to contribute to propagation of the given optical radiation from the emitter to the receiver, in such a way that the given optical radiation is propagated through the first portion of the body of the device towards the receiver, at an angle and/or with an intensity that are/is variable as a function of the characteristic of the liquid substance.

A sensor for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, in particular a tank, comprises: an array of capacitive elements designed to be associated to the container (), in particular so as to extend according to an axis of detection (X) of the level of the medium (L), the array of capacitive elements comprising a plurality of electrodes (J-J), in particular on a face of an electrically insulating substrate () having a generally elongated shape, the electrodes (J-J) being spaced apart from one another, in particular along the detection axis (X), and being preferably substantially coplanar with one another; at least one insulation layer () for insulating electrically the electrodes (J-J) with respect to the inside of the container (); and a controller () having a plurality of inputs. Each capacitive element comprises a set of electrodes connected together in common, in particular in parallel, each set of electrodes being connected to a respective input of the plurality of inputs. The controller () is pre-arranged for discriminating a value of capacitance associated to each electrode (J-J) in order to deduce the level of the medium present container.

Sensor for detecting the level of a medium

A sensor for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, in particular a tank, comprises: an array of capacitive elements designed to be associated to the container (), in particular so as to extend according to an axis of detection (X) of the level of the medium (L), the array of capacitive elements comprising a plurality of electrodes (Ji-Jn), in particular on a face of an electrically insulating substrate () having a generally elongated shape, the electrodes (Ji-Jn) being spaced apart from one another, in particular along the detection axis (X), and being preferably substantially coplanar with one another; at least one insulation layer () for insulating electrically the electrodes (Ji-Jn) with respect to the inside of the container (); and a controller () having a plurality of inputs. Each capacitive element comprises at least one of a single electrode and a set of electrodes connected together in common, in particular in parallel, the single electrode or the set of electrodes being connected to a respective input of the plurality of inputs. The controller () is pre-arranged for discriminating a value of capacitance associated to each electrode (Ji-Jn) in order to deduce the level of the medium present container.

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Casale Monferrato, Italy

Mauro Zorzetto