Abstract: An actuator combining mechanical and hydraulic forces includes a cylindrical body and a piston that can slide relative to the cylindrical body. The piston and the cylindrical body are connected by a mechanical system for transmitting mechanical power that constitutes a device that permanently controls the position of the actuator, a permanent locking device, and a safety device. The device for transmitting hydraulic power constitutes a load compensator device. The two power transmitting devices operate in parallel. Position control using the drive system at reduced power can be synchronized in a simple way for a plurality of actuators.

Abstract: A device for launching and recovering an underwater vehicle comprises a submersible assembly comprising a lower chassis and an upper chassis, which are connected by a flexible connection so that the distance between them is adjustable. The flexible connection and the lower and upper chassis form a receiving cage provided with an opening, whose vertical dimension can be adjusted. Moving the lower and upper chassis apart makes it possible to enlarge the vertical dimension of the opening. Moving the lower and upper chassis closer together makes it possible to support the underwater vehicle on the lower chassis and hold it in place using the upper chassis.

Abstract: A device for actuating in rotation a mechanism and control stick incorporating the device, which includes, elastic means for applying to a control shaft (10) a reaction torque having a magnitude which is a function of the angle of rotation of the shaft comprise a cam follower structure (18, 24) which is slidably mounted on a reaction lever (22) having an axis Z--Z perpendicular to the control shaft (10) and which is elastically slidably biased so as to cooperate with a confronting cam profile (16) formed on a reaction member (42) relative to which the cam follower structure (24, 18) is moved when the control shaft (10) is rotated, the cam profile (16) extending in a plane perpendicular to the control shaft (10).

Abstract: In this connector for cables having optical fibers of the type comprising a body (19) having a bore (20) in which a female element (1) and a male element (2) are interconnected, the elements (1, 2) each comprise an arrangement (10, 18) for providing a mutual angular positioning of the elements, the female element (1) being covered with a tearable protective hood (13), and a device (24) is provided in the body (19) for immobilizing the hood (13) in the body. The angular positioning arrangement comprises on the male element (2) an inclined surface (18) on a member (17) surrounding the male element, and an inclined surface (10) inclined in a corresponding manner on the cut end of the body (9) of the female element and defining a sharp edge (11) adapted to cut and tear the hood from the interior.

Abstract: In this system, which is of the type comprising at the end of a primary cable (3), a first fish (5) to which is connected a secondary cable (7) towed by a second fish, there are provided, in proximity to the first fish (5), apparatus (18) for measuring the angle between the direction of the relative current and the vertical plane passing through the secondary cable (7), and apparatus for measuring the angle of inclination of the secondary cable (7) to the horizontal, connected to apparatus for automatically steering the second fish so as to bring said angles to predetermined values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an arrangement for aerial observation and/or communication for a submerged submarine. An apparatus (6) equipped with a television camera (15) or with a radio or radar antenna, and connected to the submarine by a cable (8), is initially accommodated in a tube (3) on board the submarine. This apparatus rises at high speed to the surface (27) of the water, because of its high buoyancy and low hydrodynamic drag, when it is released and the cable (8) is unwound by a winch, and then springs vertically out of the water, because of the kinetic energy acquired, for a sufficient time to permit an observation or a communication, which is transmitted to the submarine by the cable (8), and finally the apparatus is brought back into the tube (3) through the rewinding of the cable (8) onto the winch.

Abstract: The invention relates to Stirling engines and provides a modular assembly composed of a cylinder head, a heater, a regenerator, a cooler and a cold duct, and making it possible by mounting a plurality of identical modules on an engine assembly to construct a multi-cylinder double acting Stirling engine of the indirect heating type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for insuring the tight seal of a closed space filled with a gas at high pressure through one wall of which an outlet rod is positioned, said outlet rod being subject to reciprocating rectilinear movement. Between the walls of the closed space and the outlet rod, two dynamic seals and a rolling diaphragm are successively positioned. Between these two seals, the outlet rod has a shoulder such that in combination with two non-return valves, it acts as a pump which sucks the gas from the chamber formed by the intermediate seal and the rolling diaphragm and delivers this gas to the closed space, thereby maintaining a relatively low pressure on the rolling diaphragm despite leakage of the seals and valves. This invention is particularly applicable to Stirling engines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising at the end of a first support and towing cable a first underwater vessel which may or may not be automatically stabilized in altitude relative to the sea bed, whereby from the said first vessel passes a second cable towed by a second stabilized self-propelling underwater vessel which is remotely controlled and carries detection instruments, whereby the first cable is a towing cable and whereby these two cables transmit power generated on the surface craft, remote control signals from the second vessel and detection signals from the second vessel.