Abstract: Location of a firearm firing projectiles is accomplished by using an acoustic detection antenna that includes at least three microphones spaced apart from one another to detect and record signals and time offsets of the signals which are representative of the muzzle noise of the firearm and/or the soundwave emitted by the mach cone generated by a projectile that has supersonic muzzle velocity, and processing the signals and their time offsets in such a manner as to determine at least the direction in which the firearm is located.

Abstract: The miniaturizable sensor comprises an insulating substrate (10) supporting first measurement electrode (24) and comprising a flexible measurement arm (18) of conductive or semiconductor material, one end of which is secured to the substrate (10) and the other end of which constitutes a second electrode facing the first electrode. The first end of the measurement arm is secured to the substrate via a beam (16) having a bending modulus at least ten times greater than that of the measurement arm (18) and substantially parallel to the measurement arm and via a foot (14) rigidly secured to the substrate (10) and situated between the two ends of the measurement arm, the connections of the beam (16) to the measurement arm (18) and to the foot (14) being of the fixed-end type.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring variations in the capacitance of a variable capacr forming part of a sensor includes an oscillator which generates an alternating signal which is supplied to two branches of a detection bridge. The first branch includes the variable capacitor connected in series with a variable capacitance diode. The second branch includes a capacitor connected in series with a variable capacitance diode. A differential stage has each of its in puts connected to the common point of a respective one of the branches. Synchronous demodulation means connected to the oscillator, are connected to the output of the differential stage for delivering a DC unbalance voltage Ve which is injected by a feedback line to the common point of the first branch, thereby continuously balancing the detection bridge.

Abstract: A method of assembling a mechanical part on a support includes making a projecting thickening situated substantially over a connection face of an anchor block of the part; depositing a layer of one of the components of a eutectic on at least one fixing zone of the support; using a tool for holding the thickening to move the part so that its connection face co-operates with the fixing zone of the support; raising the temperature of the eutectic point of the eutectic; exerting localized force on the thickening; and simultaneously subjecting the part or the support to mechanical stresses. The invention is particularly applicable to assembling a capacitive sensor. The invention is also directed to a mechanical part for carrying out the assembly method, as well as a tool for grasping the mechanical part.

Abstract: A mechanical magnitude sensor integrated on silicon, and a method of manufacture. The sensor comprises a bendably deformable conductive blade (4) whose free end (43) constitutes the first plate of a variable capacitor whose fixed second plate (24) is constituted by a conductive zone formed on the silicon substrate. A JFET type structure is formed in the vicinity of the anchor point (41) of the blade (4) with a gate zone (21) situated beneath the anchor portion (41) and with drain and source zones (22, 23) being provided on either side of the gate zone (21) in order to amplify a signal representative of variations in the position of the flexible blade (4). The sensor may be used as an accelerometer or as a pressure sensor.