Abstract: A method of printing a graphic on an electronic memory card comprised of a card body, made of a thermoplastic material and having two main faces that are substantially mutually parallel, and an electronic module carrying electrical contacts on a contact face thereof, which contacts are connected to a semiconductor chip. The electronic memory card is molded by injecting the thermoplastic material in a molten state into a mold having a cavity defining the shape of the card body, and solidifying the molten material in the presence of the electronic module in the mold. The memory card is unmolded, and the graphic is then printed on the card body.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter of the Fabry-Perot interferometer type for electromagnetic radiation having spectral density that is modified by a gas. The filter comprises a body which is transparent to said electromagnetic radiation, at least in its part through which the radiation passes. Said part comprises at least two portions possessing two facing surfaces that are mutually parallel and substantially plane. A "first" one of said portions is movable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the pair of facing surfaces. The filter further comprises: means for moving said facing surfaces between two extreme positions under the action of an electromagnetic field, and means for limiting adhesion between said surfaces in at least one of said positions in which said surfaces are at a distance apart which is small compared with the mean wavelength of the radiation passing through them.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement device measures a volume-related quantity of a fluid flowing from a first zone to a second zone of the device. The device includes two ultrasound transducers emitting and receiving ultrasound signals and each disposed in one of the zones to define between them an ultrasound measurement path in the fluid. The device also includes a measurement electronics block that drives emission and reception of ultrasound signals by transducers, measures a physical magnitude characteristic of the propagation speed of said signals in the fluid and deduces the volume-related quantity of the fluid from these measurements and the geometry of the device. This determines the volume-related quantity of the fluid on the basis of measurements of a physical magnitude that is characteristic of the propagation speed of ultrasound signals in the fluid.

Abstract: At least one live conductor and one neutral strap are provided for an electricity meter, the respective inlets and outlets of the live conductor and of the neutral strap being disposed inside the meter housing parallel to one another and being coplanar. A metal bar connected to neutral is disposed inside the meter housing in the vicinity of and at a short distance from the inlet and/or the outlet of the live conductor to define a gap in which a controlled arc between the live conductor and the metal bar can propagate in the event of a surge.

Abstract: A method of writing information securely in a portable information medium fitted with a firmware electronic component. According to the invention, information is written in at least two stages on at least two distinct sites, with information depending on the chosen second site being written in a first step at the first site, and with information necessary for operation of medium being written in a second step at the second site. Application to protecting portable media for electronic transactions against theft.

Abstract: An apparatus measures the flow rate of a fluid. The apparatus comprises a fluidic oscillator provided with an elongate slot in a direction Oz and suitable for forming a jet of fluid that oscillates in a plane Oxy perpendicular to the Oz direction, and an obstacle located upstream from the slot to modify the distribution of speeds in the flow. The obstacle is in the flow at least in the central portion thereof and is implemented in the form of a substantially plane plate.

Abstract: Security device for preventing access to confidential information stored in a semiconductor chip, or protected chip. The security device comprises a second semiconductor chip, or protective chip, with the two chips facing each other and being coupled to each other by communication terminals. The protected chip is coupled to external circuits via the protective chip, and the two semiconductor chips are separated by a semiconductor resin having a non-homogeneous electrical resistivity. The protective chip is provided with means for measuring a plurality of resistances through the semiconductor resin and with means for determining, at least from the measured resistances, an encryption key intended to be communicated to the protect chip to protect the confidential information.

Abstract: An electronic payment card includes a support of standardized thickness and an electronic module having a semiconductor component, the module being designed to be incorporated in the support. The electronic module is included in a miniature card of thickness equal to the standardized thickness, the support having an opening for receiving the miniature card. The opening and the miniature card have complementary parts for removably installing the miniature card in the opening and suitable, firstly, for preventing the miniature card from being positioned incorrectly in the opening and, secondly, for integrating the miniature card exactly in the thickness of the support. The card is applicable to the field of electronic transactions requiring the use of a memory card.

Abstract: A recovery system for recovering hydrocarbon vapor given off by motor vehicle tanks while they are being filled with liquid fuel via at least one dispensing pipe. According to the invention, said recovery system comprises a recovery pipe associated with said dispensing pipe, a power pump placed on said recovery pipe, and a metering pump driven by a motor at an angular velocity that is substantially proportional to the volume flow rate of liquid fuel delivered by the dispensing pipe, said metering pump being mounted in series with said power pump via a differential pressure expander-regulator suitable for maintaining a pressure difference that is small between the outlet and the inlet of the metering pump so as to obtain a vapor volume flow rate that is substantially proportional to the angular velocity imparted by said motor. Application to dispensing liquid fuel.

Abstract: An electronic micropackage for an electronic memory card, particularly applicable to large-sized semiconductor chips. The micropackage includes a semiconductor chip disposed on a first face of an insulating support, and electrical contact zones extending along a plane defined by a second face of the insulating support. The semiconductor chip is connected to the electrical contact zones via connection wires. A metal strip is provided with cut-outs defining the electrical contact zones. A strip of insulating material is disposed on one face of the metal strip, the strip of insulating material constituting said insulating support, and leaving uncovered, at least in part, the electrical contact zones. A housing for the semiconductor chip, surrounding the insulating support and obstructing those cut-outs in the metal strip which are inside the housing and which are not obstructed by the insulating support.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a security device containing secret information, of the type comprising a memory area of an integrated circuit receiving said information and protection means covering and fastened at least to the memory area. The protection means comprise at least a second integrated circuit. The device further includes interactive connecting means between the two integrated circuits and means for destroying the secret information if the connection is interrupted or disrupted.

Abstract: An ambient light filter includes light emitting circuitry and optical detection circuitry. The detection circuitry is positioned to detect light from the emitting circuitry. A microprocessor is provided to separately control the light emitting circuitry and the optical detection circuitry. The microprocessor determines whether light from the emitting circuitry has been detected by removing a measured component equivalent to the ambient light present at the optical detection circuitry.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator is symmetrical about a longitudinal plane of symmetry in which a longitudinal fluid flow direction is contained. The oscillator generates a two-dimensional jet of fluid that oscillates transversely relative to said longitudinal plane symmetry. An ultrasound signal is generated in the fluid flow travelling from one transducer towards another. The ultrasound signal is received and modulated by the oscillations of the jet of fluid. The received signal is processed to determine a volume-related quantity concerning the fluid that has flowed through said fluidic oscillator. The tow ultrasound transducers are substantially in alignment with the longitudinal plane of symmetry.

Abstract: A pallet device for supporting a fuel dispenser or other movable object comprises a pair of runner elements mounted in parallel and spaced apart relation. Each runner element defines a respective longitudinal channel, which together permit endwise insertion of lifting forks. A pair of side ports extend laterally from the longitudinal channel of each runner element. The respective side ports of the two runner elements are aligned to provide transverse channels for sidewise insertion of lifting forks. Preferably, the two runner elements are made from sheet metal components for consistent and lightweight construction.

Abstract: A protection device (70) for providing a drive system (60) for imparting rotary drive between two mechanical members (28, 44) about an axis by magnetic coupling with protection from an external magnetic field, said drive system including at least two axially magnetized elements (62a, 62b, 64a, 64b) each secured to at least one of said mechanical members and designed to interact with one another, said magnetized elements being axially offset, said protection device comprising two parts (72, 74; 92, 94; 96, 98) of magnetic material surrounding said drive system, each of said parts having a minimum radial extent greater than the radial extent of said magnetized elements, the protection device being characterized in that the two parts (72, 74; 92, 94; 96, 98) of magnetic material leave between them an axial space (76) so as to reduce the gradient of the external magnetic field at the drive system, and have an axial extent such that they encompass said drive system axially.

Abstract: A strainer for use with a dry hydrant having a fluid inlet includes an inlet tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being substantially capped, and the second end being connected to the dry hydrant fluid inlet. A plurality of apertures are formed in the inlet tube and are disposed between the first end and the second end. The apertures are disposed in a substantially v-shaped pattern, whereby an apex of the substantially v-shaped pattern is spaced proximal to the second end. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apertures spaced proximal to the first end of the inlet member have diameters greater than diameters of the apertures spaced proximal to the second end of the inlet member. In operation in a dry hydrant system, the strainer provides for uniform suction zone throughout the inlet pipe, and provides uniform fluid drafting flow.

Abstract: Apparatus for electronically transferring information between an electronic component and a reader. The electronic component is disposed on a substrate of a portable object, which substrate also carries a first antenna connected to the component. The reader includes a second antenna. The electronic information transfer is performed by inductive coupling between the first and second antennas, without electrical contact between the component and the reader. The reader includes a marker device suitable for writing a mark on the substrate in the event of the portable object being placed in the immediate proximity of the reader, and after information transfer is effected.

Abstract: A flame-barrier device has a plurality of openings that are essentially parallel relative to a flow of substance passing therethrough, the device being made up of an assembly of a plurality of pierced disks whose openings co-operate with adjacent corresponding openings to form through channels.

Abstract: A vortex fluid meter (1) includes a pipe (2) having a maximum inside diameter D in which the fluid flows and having an internal profile comprising from the upstream end to the downstream end: a first pipe portion (4) progressively reducing the inside diameter of said pipe to a value D1 and having an inside wall (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) at a continuously varying angle to the general direction of flow of the fluid; a second pipe portion (6) of constant diameter D1 in which is disposed at least one obstacle (8) adapted to generate oscillating fluid vortices; and a third pipe portion (20) returning the inside diameter of the pipe (2) to its original value D and adapted to separate the boundary layer of the fluid flow at a downstream end (6a) of said second pipe portion (6), and means (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 200-221) for detecting the signal corresponding to the oscillations of the vortices and deducing the volume of fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A Coriolis-type fluid flow rate measuring system uses phase locked loop-based signal processing to estimate a tube vibration signal and maintain optimum tube vibrations. Analog sinusoidal sensor signals from the flow meter are digitized and processed through heterodyne mixing as part of phase locked loop tracking of the fundamental vibration or oscillation frequency. Digital signal processing is used to implement filtering and signal manipulation so as to respectively determine phase and frequency estimates for both of the two digitized signals. Frequency estimate data is used to adjust the tracker frequency mixed with the respective sensor signals. Digitally obtained phase and frequency estimate data are used to determine an optimized drive signal for continuing tube vibration. Phase estimate information for the two respective sensor signals is used to determine phase shift data, used in turn to determine a fluid flow rate through the flow meter.