Abstract: Switching network unit formed of a plurality of N identical elementary nodal switching networks having addresses from O to (N-1). If N is chosen smaller than or equal to f.sup.p, f and p being two predetermined integers, each elementary nodal switching network is connected to 2p other elementary nodal switching networks through internodal links. The interconnection pattern allows the switching network capacity to be increased nodal switching network by nodal switching network. When adding to the unit an additional nodal switching network, p internodal links are cut out and the free ends thus obtained are connected to the additional nodal switching network.

Abstract: The plasma matrix display unit comprises a plurality of cathodes perpendicular to a scan anode and to at least one display anode in a gastight enclosure. All the cathodes are positioned on a rear plate. A front plate is transparent at least at the level of points aligned in parallel in the proximity of the display anode. In order to avoid fluctuations of distance between an anode and a cathode during heating operations, longitudinal insulating strips are disposed on the rear plate and form grooves therebetween. The grooves extend under the point lines of the front plate. Each anode is supported on an upper slot of an insulating strip and interacts electrically with the portion of the cathodes emerging from the adjacent groove. The cathodes, insulating strips and anodes are obtained by successive deposition and masking on the rear plate before any further heating. This display unit is designed particularly for the display of large-scale luminous patterns.

Abstract: The system combines first and second composite video signals into a resulting composite video signal. The first composite video signal represents a foreground scene having a first trichromatic moving picture region which envelopes a second trichromatic backing region through a trichromatic transition region. The second composite video signal represents a background scene. A gain controlling circuit produces from first component video signals first and second analog signals (1-.alpha.), (.alpha.) which control in proportion the amplifications of the first and second composite video signals to obtain second output composite video signals. The first analog signal has first and second levels when the first component video signals are representative of the first and second picture regions and has intermediate levels lying between the first and second levels when the first component video signals are representative of the transition region.

Abstract: Cavity resonator arrangement for single mode laser. A double Michelson interferometer is substituted for one of the mirrors of a conventional Fabry-Perot interferometer. The positions of the three mirrors of this double Michelson interferometer are positioned with respect to the mirror limiting the cavity resonator through D.C. controlled piezoelectric shims.

Abstract: A unitary package for water treatment for attachment to a home hot water heater, boiler and the like which is adapted to be easily serviced and installed by the home owner. The water treatment device is constructed to provide free and unobstructed flow of water with no restriction and provides a long-lasting life with very little maintenance. The water treatment device comprises an electromagnetic coil energized by D.C. which completely encircles a control conduit pipe. This pipe is provided at the inlet thereof with a T-shaped fitting having an inlet; the pipe is also provided at the outlet thereof with a similar T-shaped fitting having an outlet. Each of the T-shaped fittings is provided with a male plug at opposing ends for supporting a bearing bushing beyond the inlet and outlet openings of the T-shaped fittings. Each of the bearing bushings supports a solid helical impeller and shaft which rotates only when water flows through the central pipe.

Abstract: A generally rectangular flexible flat wallet-like carrying case produced from a single sheet comprising an adjacent single sheet thickness front and back panel formed by folding one end of said single sheet over and adjacent a portion of the remainder of said single sheet, said panels secured together at opposing side edges and open at the top to form a single pocket between said front and back panels, said back panel being folded adjacent to the open pocket so as to lie flat on top of the front panel to form a long, flexible closure flap with respect to the width of the carrying case, releasable fastening means extending beyond and overlying the mid-portion of the pocket for securing said closure flap in the closed position, and a plastic liner within said pocket, so that upon releasing the fastening means will facilitate insertion or withdrawal of a tampon or sanitary napkin held between the front and back panels in flat condition, preventing attention being directly called to the opening and closing operat

Abstract: The transfer modulation measuring system is made up of an adjustable multifrequency generator, a laser emission circuit, an optical detector and a spectrum analyzer. The generator includes oscillators at predetermined frequencies belonging to a discrete frequency distribution. Component signals at selected predetermined frequencies may be time-division multiplexed or frequency-division multiplexed into an electrical composite signal which modulates the laser emission. The system comprises also two optical fiber connectors and a so-called priming optical fiber which excits uniformly the propagation modes at the entrance end of the optical fiber to be measured. During a calibration phase, the connectors are joined end-to-end and aligned optically. The spectral lines at predetermined frequencies are successively adjusted to a same predetermined level on the screen of the spectrum analyzer by means of potentiometers adjusting the amplitudes of the component signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting whether a measured dimension deviates from a nominal value by a predetermined increment. It comprises a feeler for following the surface of a component and a variable area window controlled by said feeler. Two pairs of photoelectric receivers are located behind the window and the photoelectric receivers of each pair receive differential illumination through the window.

Abstract: Multiplex time division switching network unit comprising a plurality of P groups of N incoming and outgoing multiplex highways and P incoming and outgoing supermultiplex highways each formed of N multiplex highways and having 2aN time slots where a is the number of time slots in a multiplex highway. The supermultiplex highways are multiplexed two by two and with themselves to form double supermultiplex highways each having 2aN time slots. It results that there exists a double supermultiplex highway simultaneously containing any time slot assigned to a calling party and any time slot assigned to a called party whatever be these time slots. The buffer stores of the switching network unit can thus be rendered bidirectional and their number is P(P+1)/2 instead of P.sup.2 in the prior art.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a resistor in function of the amplitude of a direct current or the frequency and the amplitude of an alternating current. When the direct current equipment of this apparatus is used, the direct current signal flowing through the resistor is generated from an adjustable direct current generator and produces between terminals of the resistor a direct voltage signal which is chopped and amplified into a recurrent rectangular signal having a predetermined frequency and an amplitude proportional to the resistance value of resistor and included within a predetermined measurement interval. When the alternating current equipment of this apparatus is used, a first alternating current signal flowing through the resistor is generated from an adjustable frequency generator, an adjustable amplitude attenuator and a voltage-to-current converter.

Abstract: An arrangement for traffic analysing for public telephone stations which are served from a telephone exchange. The exchange transmits charging pulses to the telephone stations through telephone subscriber's lines, when calls are requested from the telephone stations. A charging pulse counter is accessed through a charging pulse detector when a call is made. The counter counts the number of detected charging pulses during an observation period allocated to the calling telephone station. An analysis initializing circuit includes time recording data delivering means for periodically reading-out the charging pulse number in the counter and for resetting the counter after the observation period. A traffic analyzing circuit is connected selectively to charging pulse counters and compares the charging pulse number of each counter to at least two predetermined charging pulse number values specific to the telephone station at the end of each observation period allocated to the telephone station.

Abstract: A variable-reluctance electric motor with teeth of uniform pitch and poles whose number is a multiple of 4, which includes means for varying the magnetic permeability of the poles in dependance upon the relative positions of the poles and teeth from a zero value to saturation value reached when a tooth faces the middle portion of a pole, passing through intermediate values when a tooth faces the edge portions of a pole. In a first embodiment, the poles are made up of a mixture of magnetic and non-magnetic material, the ratio of magnetic material to non-magnetic material decreasing from the middle portion of the pole to the edge portions. In a second embodiment, the poles are distributed in sectors each containing a central pole and two equal numbers of lateral poles. In a sector, the pitch of the poles is non-uniform, the pitch of the lateral poles being slightly less than the pitch of the teeth.

Abstract: A bit-by-bit time-division digital switching network switches a plurality of incoming and outgoing isochronous digital data channels having rates which are different but sub-multiples of a given low rate. After phasing said incoming digital channels, bits having a predetermined binary state are detected. Previously stored address words of said outgoing digital channels to be switched to said incoming digital channels are read-out and correspond to switched incoming channels whose detected bits have said predetermined binary state. Then the read outgoing channel address words are multiplexed into a multiplex digital highway at high rate. In the transmission part of each outgoing digital channel address words of said outgoing digital channel are detected. A bit at said predetermined binary state or a bit in the other binary state is transmitted on the outgoing digital channel in response to the detection or failure of detect the address word of said outgoing digital channel.

Abstract: Optical fibre coupler comprising at least three branches of the optical fibre type. A three-branch coupler comprises first and second optical fibres having two end frustoconical portions which are fastened to one another. The two frustoconical portions are terminated by a first common spheroidal end centered on their common generatrix and having a diameter substantially greater than the sum of the core diameters of their small end bases. The third branch of the three-branch coupler is constituted by a third optical fibre whose end lies opposite the first spheroidal end. In the case of a four-branch coupler, the fourth branch is constituted by a fourth optical fibre. The ends of the third and fourth optical fibres are formed as two frustoconical portions which are fastened to one another and terminated by a second common spheroidal end analogous to the first spheroidal end. The first and second spheroidal ends lie opposite each other.

Abstract: A calibrating unit for pipe sections is provided with calibrating jaw means and brake means, the jaw means measuring the inside and outside diameter of the pipe which is used in combination with feed rolls and tilting tables which move the pipe sections into the calibrating unit. The feed rolls are synchronized with the brake means and are swivelably connected in the vertical plane onto the tilting tables with the calibrating jaw means located on both sides of the horizontal plane of said tables through which the pipe sections are moved by the feed rolls and in which horizontal plane these pipe sections are aligned by said calibrating jaw means.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive rod filter whose attenuation versus frequency curve has a resonance as the conventional magnetostrictive rod filters but also a pole at a frequency near the resonance frequency. The filter comprises a freely vibrating magnetostrictive rod, two windings symmetrically located with respect to the rod center and surrounding the rod, ferrimagnetic material sheaths surrounding the windings except on the parts thereof facing the rod and means for applying a d.c. magnetic field to the rod. The pole of the attenuation curve is due to a demagnetizing field created by portions of the rod externally projecting beyond the windings and by apertures in those parts of the sheaths facing these rod projecting portions.

Abstract: A screw fastened clamping neck attachment for an electrical hand operated drill. The electrical motor of the drill is of the neckless type and has a short rotary shaft extending from the housing. The screw fastened clamping attachment is in the form of two semi-cylindrical bushings adapted to be clamped together at their base portion to form a neck, these bushings, in clamped condition, encasing an extension shaft therebetween which is to be connected to the short shaft of the electrical motor. Preferably the extension shaft has a connecting sleeve end threaded internally with the short shaft threaded externally to provide a threaded connection. Bearings are provided for the extension shaft of the attachment within the semi-cylindrical bushings. Fastening arms extend rearwardly from the bushings to support the attachment on the housing and to resist torsion.

Abstract: A battery operated portable thawing device for frozen locks has an electrically heated thawing stick sized for insertion into the key hole of a frozen lock. The stick is thinner than the lock key and comprises a hollow metal body inside which is located a thin resistance heating wire. The resistance wire is located between the middle and the end of the stick inserted into the keyhole in a relatively short length (20-30%) of the thawing stick. For use, the stick is slidable out of a protective housing adapted to be gripped in the hand. The housing carries a battery for energizing the stick and a light bulb for illuminating the keyhole. The metal body of the stick serves as one terminal for supplying current to the resistance wire. The circuit between the battery and resistance wire made automatically made when the stick is moved out of the housing for use and broken when the stick is returned into the housing.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine fitted with ignition means for the fuel air mixture delivered to the cylinders comprising a rotor having an output rotor shaft, a housing forming the outer shell of the engine which is fitted with intake and exhaust openings for fuel and exhaust gases, the openings located in the outer periphery of the housing wherein the rotor housing comprises a rotatable support for the motor shaft and includes an irregularly shaped cavity which surrounds the periphery of the rotor. A plurality of radially disposed vanes are mounted in the rotor for radial reciprocating movement relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. Novel interconnecting cam means are provided between the outer shell of the housing and the vanes to initially actuate the vanes radially outwardly upon rotation of the rotor to positively position and maintain the outer ends of the vanes in close operative proximity to the inner peripheral surface of the irregularly shaped cavity.