Abstract: A load-carrying structure for a vehicle body, the structure extending radially to the longitudinal axis of the body and being suitable for being associated with structural elements parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, the load-carrying structure constituting a flat frame member and including at least one flat strip, wherein the structural elements are suitable for being inserted in said frame member by a mechanism of notches for receiving them. The device also relates to a segment of body structure and to a vehicle body including such structures.

Abstract: A swivel coupling for coupling together two vehicles, in particular two rail vehicles. The swivel coupling rests on a shared bogie between the two vehicles and has a rotation function and a shock-absorbing function. Each of these functions is performed by distinct elements of the swivel coupling structure.

Abstract: A tilting apparatus for tilting a body (4) of a vehicle, the apparatus being disposed in a bogie underframe, and secondary suspensions (3) being disposed under the body (4) of the vehicle, the tilting apparatus being characterized in that it includes first and second tilt-control actuators (1, 2) disposed rigidly and vertically in the bogie, the secondary suspensions (3) lying under the body (4) of the vehicle and on the tilt-control actuators (1, 2), a re-centering actuator (5) secured via one of its ends to the bogie underframe (6) and via its other end to the body (4) of the vehicle, and an anti-roll bar (7) disposed under the body (4), the tilting apparatus being provided neither with an inclination cross-member, nor with cross-member suspension connection rods.

Abstract: An energy absorber device for use in vehicles, in particular railroad vehicles, is of generally parallelepipedal shape and can be inserted between a driver's cab and a coach-body. The larger opposite faces of the parallelepiped are disposed in a plane formed by the rear face of the driver's cab and in a plane formed by the front face of the coach-body, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-active damper controlled by a control circuit including a direct control loop made up of an inverse model of the damper. The inverse model of the damper determines an ideal value for an electrical current i.sub.th for controlling a compression controlled-restriction valve and an expansion controlled-restriction valve on the basis of a measured value for a relative speed y between the two ends of the damper and on the basis of a force reference value Fc. The semi-active damper of the invention is applicable as a transverse secondary suspension for a passenger rail vehicle.

Abstract: A train set includes a plurality of cars each having a flat designed to receive storage units equipped electrically-powered equipment. The train set includes: a connector for connecting the set to an electricity source which delivers electrical power at a high voltage greater than the rated operating voltage of the equipment; transfer apparatus for transferring electrical power at a high voltage to each car; a voltage step-down circuit connected to the transfer apparatus and from which electrical power is delivered at a low voltage in the vicinity of the rated operating voltage of the equipment; and a distributor for distributing the low-voltage electrical power to each item of electrically-powered equipment. It is also possible to provide a stand-alone generator providing, in particular, redundancy for the electrical power supply for the distributor. The train set is particularly applicable to transporting liquid or solid perishable goods, as well as chemicals, under controlled temperature.

Abstract: A method of renovating a cabinet for electronic card drawers, the method inculding the following steps creating an unpluggable electronic drawer having connectors on its back face; mounting an adapter intermediate mechanical support in the cabinet to be renovated, which support supports a set of floating backplane connectors for the unpluggable electronic drawer; creating a free zone Z between the back support for the backplane connectors of the cabinet, and the intermediate support; and fitting adapter wiring between the back support and the intermediate supports.

Abstract: A direct current to direct current power converter device includes a transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding. A first inverter is connected to the terminals of the primary winding of the transformer. At least one second inverter is connected to the terminals of the secondary winding of the transformer or of each secondary winding of the transformer. The first inverter or the at least one second inverter assures the inverter function when a voltage to be converted is applied to its terminals and the rectifier function when the voltage to be converted is applied to the at least one second inverter or to the first inverter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic driver system comprising:means for recording a plurality of precalculated reference situations giving the time required to reach a target point as a function of the position of a vehicle on a track and of speed limits that apply to various lengths of the track; andat least one fuzzy inference system SIF.The present invention also relates to a method of generating a speed reference in an automatic driver system, the method constituting in the present situation of a vehicle is evaluated relative to a plurality of precalculated reference situations giving the time required to reach a target point as a function of the position of a vehicle on a track in such a manner as to generate the travel time of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a device with inflatable members for protecting vehicles against impacts, once inflated, the inflatable members are disposed alongside each other so as to have a general shape substantially identical to the general shape of the area of the vehicle to be protected. The inflatable members each have a general shape enabling them to be interleaved laterally with the two directly adjacent inflatable members.

Abstract: In an information transmission device and method for systems using radiating waveguides along which a mobile travels, an unmodulated carrier wave is injected into the radiating waveguide. Some of the energy of the unmodulated carrier wave is sampled locally along the radiating waveguide. A local modulation signal representing information addressed to the mobile modulates the unmodulated carrier wave. The modulated carrier wave is radiated to the mobile.

Abstract: A method of protection against impacts between two vehicles by means of an member, in which each of the vehicles includes an inflatable member adapted to be deployed under control of a signal commanding opening of the inflatable member, the method including the steps of detecting from a first vehicle an impending collision of the two vehicles, transmitting from the first vehicle a first signal commanding opening of the inflatable member associated with the first vehicle; receiving the first signal commanding opening of the inflatable member associated with the first vehicle, by the second vehicle, and transmitting to the second vehicle a second signal commanding opening of the inflatable member associated with the second vehicle. A device for implementing the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for grounding shielding braids of shielded cables. The device includes a longitudinal support of generally channel-shaped cross section, with a gasket covered in a sheath disposed in the bottom thereof. The support is suitable for receiving a cover on the top face thereof, the support including, in the upper portion thereof, a series of holes suitable for receiving the shielded cables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of renovating a cabinet for electronic card drawers, the method comprising steps consisting in:creating an unpluggable electronic drawer having connectors on its back face;mounting an adapter intermediate mechanical support in the cabinet to be renovated, which support supports a set of floating backplane connectors for the unpluggable electronic drawer;creating a free zone Z between said back supports for the backplane connectors of the cabinet, and said intermediate supports; andfitting adapter wiring between said back supports and said intermediate supports.

Abstract: A regulating apparatus and a regulating method for regulating the internal pressure P.sub.i of a ventilated, closed volume subjected to variations in external pressure P.sub.e, the apparatus including at least two compensation circuits enabling the intake air flow rate q.sub.1 and the extraction air flow rate q.sub.2 to be adjusted in real time so that the difference between these two flow rates algebraically compensates for the leakage flow rate q.sub.f, and maintains the internal pressure P.sub.i inside the volume at a constant level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a link tilt device for a tilting cross-member suitable for being disposed in a bogie frame in such a manner as to be suspended from the bogie frame by means of the links, secondary suspensions being disposed between the tilting cross-member and the vehicle body, wherein the middle cross-members of the bogie frame, the links, and the tilting cross-member form an assembly such that the angular stiffness between the bogie frame and said vehicle body is a characteristic that is predetermined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an axle, or a pair of axles forming a bogie, motorized and having wheels that rotate independently, which axle is connected to a body or a corridor connection of a vehicle either via a load-bearing cross-member, or directly via the suspension systems, the wheels of the axle being mounted to rotate independently, wherein the entire set of members that transmit motion between the motor(s) and the wheels is disposed in a load-bearing axle assembly referred to as a "stepdown gear assembly" which simultaneously performs the functions of bearing the load, of driving the axle, and of transmitting the motor torque, wherein the motor or each of the motors has its axis parallel to the axis of the axle, and wherein a large amount of modularity exists between the single-motor version and the one-motor-per-wheel version.

Abstract: A multilevel converter including, in particular, a capacitor for each of its cells, and control means comprising means for evaluating the mean voltage across the terminals of each of the capacitors, means for measuring any difference on each of said capacitors between the evaluated mean charge voltage and the nominal mean charge voltage of the capacitor, and additional control means changing the time positions of the converter control signals in a direction such that the measured difference is reduced.

Abstract: A system enables two vehicles to tilt at different angles, wherein one of the vehicles includes a supporting end and the other vehicle includes a supported end, where the vehicle having the supporting end and the vehicle having the supported end are associated with a bogey. A supported ring is used with the supported end of the vehicle in such a manner that rotation is possible between the supported ring and the vehicle having the supported end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stack device comprising a stack of gate turnoff thyristors GTO, of freewheel diodes DRL, and of diodes D, for a semiconductor circuit, said stack device including power supply electrical connection terminals +HT and -HT, and an output terminal PM, together with electrical connection terminals Cs and Cc between said diodes Ds and Dc and a protection circuit P, wherein the geometrical organization of the wiring of said electrical connection terminals +HT, PM, and -HT is predetermined so as to enable the disposition of said thyristors GTO and of said freewheel diodes in said stack to be modified in order to obtain different electrical functions for the semiconductor circuit.