Abstract: In this equilibrating apparatus, the shaft 19 supporting the face-plate 20 for receiving the wheel is rotatively mounted in bearings 18 which are mounted in annular end parts 16, 17 of a tubular body 13. The median part 15 of the latter is fixed to the frame 11, 12 of the apparatus and connected to the end parts by resiliently deformable devices 25, 26 which are deformable in a direction located in a measuring plane which is an axial plane of the shaft and of the tubular body. Measuring detectors are fixed on the resiliently deformable devices 25, 26. The arrangement eliminates any parasitic force which is liable to have a disadvantageous effect on the measurement and consequently permits the use of a simple gear drive for the shaft.

Abstract: A device for measuring the relative position of two objects by variation of capacitance. The device comprises a capacitive detector of the differential type which has at least two first electrodes adapted to be mechanically connected to one of the objects and at least a second electrode adapted to be mechanically connected to the other object and forming with the first electrodes two capacitances which vary as a function of the relative position of the objects. These two capacitances are in a ratio which is only a function of this relative position. There is provided a circuit for determining the values of these capacitances. The measuring device further comprises switching means for selectively connecting said capacitances to the input of said value determining circuit so as to measure successively said capacitances and also the parasitic capacitance inherent in the measuring system.

Abstract: The apparatus for testing a device controlling the ignition of an engine comprises rotary driving means for driving the device and simulating the driving of the device in normal operation; an angular encoder mechanically coupled to the driving means for providing a series of clock pulses the frequency of which is a function of the speed of rotation of the driving means; means for producing a pulse signal representing the ignition initiating signal delivered by the device when it operates in the course of its use with the internal combustion engine; at least one circuit for measuring an angular parameter of operation of the device, the measuring circuit being connected to the encoder and to the pulse signal producing means for producing a measurement signal formed by a series of measurement pulses each of which occurs respectively in the course of a revolution of the driving means, each pulse representing the angular parameter to be measured and a display device for displaying the number of clock pulses occurr