Abstract: A device for sealed attachment of an oval or circular interchangeable member in an oval or circular chamber ring including a mechanical system for secure immobilization of the interchangeable element through the retaining ring mounted on a wall of a containment cell. The attachment device includes an oval or circular retaining ring supporting the interchangeable member. The integral retaining ring includes at least three recesses and the chamber ring includes at least three bolts able to penetrate into the recesses in order to lock the retaining ring on the chamber ring. The retaining ring receives a set of keys supporting the interchangeable element.

Abstract: A device for sealed attachment of an oval or circular interchangeable member (24) in an oval or circular chamber ring (8) including its own mechanical system for secure immobilisation of the interchangeable element through the retaining ring mounted on a wall (2) of a containment cell. This attachment device includes an oval or circular retaining ring (20) supporting the interchangeable member (24). The integral retaining ring (20) includes at least three recesses (26) and the chamber ring (8) includes at least three bolts (28) able to penetrate into the recesses (26) in order to lock the retaining ring (20) on the chamber ring (8). The retaining ring (20) receives a set of keys (22) supporting the interchangeable element.

Abstract: A method to mount handling equipment on an interface of a confinement chamber that is to contain a sterile environment. In the method a unit including the handling equipment is prepared and sterilized, and the chamber and a hidden part of the interface are sterilized after coupling impervious tooling to a chamber flange and partially opening the chamber door. The unit is then coupled to the interface. Finally, the double door formed by the equipment door and the chamber door connected to one another is opened, using a handle provided for this purpose on the equipment door.

Abstract: A method to mount handling equipment on an interface of a confinement chamber that is to contain a sterile environment. In the method a unit including the handling equipment is prepared and sterilized, and the chamber and a hidden part of the interface are sterilized after coupling impervious tooling to a chamber flange and partially opening the chamber door. The unit is then coupled to the interface. Finally, the double door formed by the equipment door and the chamber door connected to one another is opened, using a handle provided for this purpose on the equipment door.

Abstract: Cover to place on a door (5) with unlocking by means of rotation as to slightly open it and making it possible to appropriately sterilize the entire inside of the receptacle it closes, whilst enabling bactericide vapors to easily reach the surfaces adjacent to the door. In order to do this, the cover includes a fixed dome portion (20) flanged on the receptacle around the door, and a handling device (40 to 42) created through the dome and able to grip the door so as to slightly lift it up without breaking its imperviousness.

Abstract: To ensure the disconnectable connection of two components with a non-circular outline, in particular an oval outline, a rotatable ring of oval shape is fitted on a first component, cooperating with a second component by a bayonet system. Rotation of the ring is made possible by positioning at least four arc of a circle shaped segments along the desired outline with a space between the ends of adjacent segments. The link between these ends is made by articulated components.

Abstract: In order to transfer fluid products such as powders between a storage container (10) and a mobile container (18) an interface device comprising a tight chamber (24) is proposed. This tight chamber contains mechanisms making it possible either to seal an access opening (30) to the mobile container (18), or place a transfer tube (36) between the containers (27, 30). The transfer tube is formed by at least two sections (38, 40) having an internal cross-section which is substantially uniform and identical, so that a product can be transferred in any random orientation, without any risk of product being retained. The two sections (38, 40) can in particular be installed on the same tilting arm (42).

Abstract: In a double door device for the tight transfer between two closed volumes a centralized control mechanism (28) having incorporated safety means is proposed. This mechanism (28) comprises a mobile control member (36), placed opposite to a hinge of one (22) of the doors and facing a part (42) connected to said door (22). The mechanism integrates four mechanical bolts (48,62,78,92). Two of them (48,62) prevent any opening manipulation when a second door is not present and when a second flange is not entirely connected to the flange carrying the control member (36). A third bolt (78) prevents any disconnection between the two flanges after the control member (36) has cleared an intermediate locking position. Finally, a fourth bolt (92) prevents the return of the control member (36) to its initial position when the doors are open. In a certain number of industrial fields, e.g.

Abstract: For transferring products from a contaminated enclosure (12) into a second enclosure (16) without contaminating the latter, it is proposed to engage on the contaminated enclosure a transportation container (20), in which is placed an empty transfer chamber (22). After removing the coupled doors (C,F,H) of the contaminated enclosure, the container and the transfer chamber, the products to be transferred are introduced into the latter, without the space surrounding the chamber within the container communicating with the enclosure. This is followed by the reclosing of the coupled doors (C,F,H) and the disconnection of the container (20), in order to transport it and engage it on the second enclosure (16). The coupled doors (B'C', F) of said second enclosure and the container (20) are then opened in order to introduce into said second enclosure the transfer chamber (22) containing the products.

Abstract: An interchangeable member (38), such as a glove, collar or bag, is fixed in a cell flange with the aid of a supporting ring (36) formed of two sections bearing an extremity flange (50) of the member (38) and also with the aid of a safety ring (72) secured to the flange (16) and to the supporting ring (36) by two bayonet links and rotational immobilized by two blocking members (82, 78) with respect to the flange and the supporting ring. A mounting tool (100) is equipped with an indexing part (136) which makes it possible to retract the blocking members when the safety ring is mounted.

Abstract: A telescopic manipulation arm includes a module formed by two segments and a toggle joint. All movements of the toggle joint are transmitted across the module by identical mechanisms in such a way that the friction and inertia are the same for each movement. These mechanisms incorporate shafts positioned equidistantly of an axis in the lower segment and shafts positioned equidistantly of the axis in an upper segment. Shafts are provided for carrying identical pinions, which engage on identical toothed gears, and which are also engaged on substantially identical pinions rotatable with the shafts.

Abstract: In order to place in sealed communication two reactor containments provided with openings capable of having a displacement between their axes, an assembly (12) is placed between the flanges (B.sub.1, B.sub.2) delimiting these openings, said assembly comprising two mobile linking parts (30a, 30b) according to a common axis, these parts bearing lip seals (36a, 36b) coming to take sealed support on the flanges under the action of a control (52) and springs (44) mechanism. Two double doors (14a, 14b) can be placed inside the openings and the linking parts in order to ensure separation of the containments. These double doors are formed of doors (16a, 18a, 16b, 18b) interconnected by means of magnets (62a, 64a, 62b, 64b) authorizing a certain relative sliding.

Abstract: In order to permanently ensure the confinement of two closed volumes with respect to the outside atmosphere, while permitting the linking of said volumes, use is made of two gaskets, each having in section an approximately circular and generally hollow part, as well as a part forming a member. One of the gaskets is mounted by its member in a groove formed in a door received in a flange of the volume, whereas the member of the other gasket is fixed in a groove formed in a flange in which is received a door of the other volume. During engagement, the circular parts of the gaskets are in tight contact with one another and on V-shaped inclined surfaces formed within the flange and on the periphery of the door.

Abstract: A device for the disconnectable coupling of a support toggle joint of a gripper to the end of a slave arm of a remote manipulator. The arm and toggle joint each have a case in which are located means for transmitting movements to the gripper. The coupling device comprises at least two latches pivotably mounted on one of the cases and which are able to occupy a coupling position in which they bear against pins fixed to the other case. This couples the toggle joint to the end of the arm and the latches can also occupy a position in which they are disengaged from the pins in order to disconnect the toggle joint. The retractable locking means normally immobilizes the latches with respect to the case supporting them when the latches occupy the coupling position. The invention also provides a disconnection support for the coupling device.

Abstract: A telescopic remote manipulator includes a rotary passage block which passes through a partition, a telescopic master arm having upper and lower segments, and a telescopic slave arm having upper, intermediate and lower segments. The arms are articulated by their upper segments on the passage block by pins. A control handle and gripping member are respectively mounted on the free ends of the master and slave arms. Means are provided for transmitting to the gripping member movements of the handle and include cable means associated with the master arm and cable means associated with the slave arm, both coacting with a rotary shaft in the passage block to transmit the handle movements to the gripping member. The slave arm cable means pass over pulleys carried by a mobile carriage positioned externally of the slave arm and then on pulleys mounted on the slave arm in the vicinity of its shoulder pin.

Abstract: A telescopic telemanipulator of the master-slave type, wherein the slave arm is equilibrated by means of at least one counterweight mounted on a link articulated to the traversing block on the master arm side, the counterweight moving along the link when an offsetting is introduced between the length of the slave arm and that of the master arm; at least a second counterweight is mounted adjacent the first counterweight on another link, such counterweight moving along the link when a variation in the length of the slave arm is controlled from the master arm.The telemanipulator has application for the remote-controlled handling, among other things, of radioactive products.

Abstract: A radiation-tight coupling arrangement for coupling a machining laser to a hot cell containing radioactive material, comprising a cell flange integrally formed on the confinement wall which defines a cell opening, a cell door formed to interlock tightly with the cell flange, thereby closing the cell opening, an elongated container movably arranged in the sleeve and having a container flange defining a container opening and connected by a sealing bellows, a container door formed to interlock tightly with the container flange and to interlock with the cell door when the container flange interlocks with the cell flange, and a machining line translationally arranged in the container. When the container is in a retracted position, a radiation blocking drum intervenes between the cell opening and the container opening. The radiation blocking drum is rotated to allow the container to translate toward the cell.

Abstract: Master-slave manipulator having a master arm provided with a control handle and a slave arm controlled by the master arm and provided with a tool, said arms being connected by a shaft mounted in pivotal manner about its axis with respect to a fixed support, the master arm having at least one so-called shoulder articulation between itself and the shaft and perpendicular to the shaft axis, said slave arm being of the articulated type and having an upper arm articulated about a shoulder axis perpendicular to the shaft axis and a lower arm articulated with respect to the upper arm about an elbow axis parallel to the shoulder axis, wherein it comprises means for defining a first point occupying a homothetic position in a homothetic transformation of negative ratio relative to the shoulder axis of the arm of the control handle and means for transmitting position information from said point to the slave arm, said means comprising at least two rods, the first of said rods being articulated to the said point about an

Abstract: Bidirectional joining device with an integral passage between a first enclosure having a flange serving as a seat for a first plug provided with a first gasket and a second enclosure having an opening, a second plug and a second gasket, whereby the first gasket is able to form the sealing between the first plug and the gasket and the first plug and the second plug when the latter are joined together, wherein the second enclosure has an opening provided with a lateral edge, the second plug has a peripheral edge perpendicular to the axis of the two plugs, a side wall having a convex portion and a bottom, the second gasket has an external lateral face, an internal lateral face and an upper face turned towards the outside of the second enclosure, said external lateral face being sealingly and not-detachably fixed to the lateral edge of the second enclosure, said inner lateral face having a first bead able to cooperate with the convex portion of the second plug to ensure the joining together of said second plug an

Abstract: The container consists of a shielded body having an internal cavity and of a capsule which can be inserted into the cavity and is capable of sliding motion along the axis of this latter. The front face of the capsule is sealed by means of a removable door and the rear face is attached to an operating rod. The cavity is sealed beyond the front face of the capsule by means of a shielded element for positioning a cover opposite to the removable door of the capsule. The cover cooperates with means for permitting leak-tight coupling or uncoupling of the cover and the capsule by displacing these latter in relative motion.