Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for controlling the charge of an accumulator (4), as a function of the time during which said accumulator (4) has been on a charger (2), said accumulator (4) being intended to power an horological function and one or more auxiliary functions (14), this method being characterized in that it includes the steps of: incrementing a step counting signal during the charge time during which the accumulator (4) is on the charger (2); causing the accumulator (4) charge to stop when the counting signal has reached a previously defined maximum value corresponding to the nominal charge of said accumulator (4); and decrementing the step counting signal during the discharge time during which the accumulator (4) is not on the charger (2), the counting signal being decremented by a first step when only the horological function is being used, and by a second step which differs from the first and which depends on the auxiliary function or functions (14) used.

Abstract: A device for single usage for sampling liquids consisting of a hollow mounting tube closed at one end by a base which has a needle mount and into which can be slid a sampling tube. The sampling tube has a cap which has a diameter in the section of the cap projecting from the tube greater than the diameter of the tube to thereby form a shoulder. The mounting tube consists of a head into which the cap of the sampling tube slides, a body to guide the sampling tube, and internally projecting studs to retain the cap in the mounting tube. A breaking point is formed where the head and body join which must be broken in order to withdraw the sampling tube from the mounting tube after a sample has been taken.

Abstract: To coat a substrate with a thin layer of pure platinum oxide, an insulating and transparent substance, recourse is had to a cylindrical magnetron comprising means for generating an axial magnetic field in an enclosure containing rarefied oxygen, an axial cathode at least coated with platinum and a cylindrical grid forming an anode and coaxially surrounding the cathode so as to reserve an annular zone outside the grid. The substrate is placed in the said zone so that its surface to be coated by the thin layer is shielded from the impact of electrons. This shielding can be obtained by a particular shape given to the bars constituting the grid or by the positioning of obstacles in the said zone. It then suffices to heat the thin layer, whether or not locally, to above 250.degree. C., to convert it into conducting and opaque platinum.

Abstract: A combined analogue and digital display device having a plurality of individually energizable display elements arranged symmetrically with at least some of the elements common to both displays. Several of the elements are disposed so as to form groups of segments or zones, each group representing one digit of the digital display. Several others of the elements are disclosed radially to form an analogue display for simulating a parameter, such as time, by representing an hours hand and a minutes hand.

Abstract: A timing device comprises an oscillator a time base, a time display device and a control device intermediate between the oscillator and the display. In addition, it comprises a pickup for low-frequency pulses radiated by a conventional television receiver, and a treatment circuit having one input connected to the pickup, and one output connected to a means for regulation of the control device, for producing rate regulation and/or resetting.

Abstract: An electric wrist watch including a case containing a timekeeping module, an electrical storage device, and a display device. The case also includes a thermoelectric generator in contact with two heat exchangers. The two heat exchangers are arranged such that they are at least temporarily at different temperatures, with one of the heat exchangers being in contact with the surrounding air.

Abstract: A quartz crystal thermometer in which a standard frequency is generated by a first oscillator circuit incorporating a quartz crystal element and in which a frequency which varies with temperature is generated by a second circuit incorporating the same quartz crystal element. Two electrode pairs are provided on the single quartz crystal element in order to excite two different modes of vibration of the quartz crystal element, with the metallization being on only one or on both of the major faces of the quartz crystal element. In accordance with preferred embodiments, an AT- or a BT-cut quartz crystal plate is utilized. The ratio of the said two frequencies provides an accurate measure of the temperature.

Abstract: A frequency generator comprises a quartz crystal controlled oscillator subjected to at least one variable physical parameter such as temperature and has an arrangement for calibrating the frequency with respect to a standard signal with simultaneous compensation for variations of the physical parameter(s). This arrangement comprises a first set of selectable memories storing values to control the division ratio in a dividing chain. These memories are inscribed in a learning period for a few values of the physical parameter(s); simultaneously, digital values supplied by at least one probe, each value corresponding to a range of values of the parameter, are stored in a second set of memories associated with the probe(s).