Abstract: The electromechanical escapement device is associated with an electronic circuit having a quartz oscillator and calculation means suitable for calculating the difference between the period of the quartz oscillator and the period of a mechanical oscillator and releasing an escape wheel, normally controlled by said mechanical oscillator, when the difference between said periods is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: The electromechanical escapement device is associated with an electronic circuit having a quartz oscillator and calculation means suitable for calculating the difference between the period of the quartz oscillator and the period of a mechanical oscillator and releasing an escape wheel, normally controlled by said mechanical oscillator, when the difference between said periods is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: The invention concerns an escapement device comprising a power source capable of delivering a variable torque based on the angle of rotation of a pinion fixed to said power source, said variable torque having at least a stable position and an unstable position. The device further comprises locking means capable of locking power transmission to an oscillator in a stable point of equilibrium and unlocking means capable of unlocking power transmission to said oscillator between a stable point of equilibrium and an unstable point of equilibrium.

Abstract: The invention concerns an escapement device comprising a power source capable of delivering a variable torque based on the angle of rotation of a pinion fixed to said power source, said variable torque having at least a stable position and an unstable position. The device further comprises locking means capable of locking power transmission to an oscillator in a stable point of equilibrium and unlocking means capable of unlocking power transmission to said oscillator between a stable point of equilibrium and an unstable point of equilibrium.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor that uses a resonant oscillatory circuit to detect a target by changes to inductive reaction. The oscillating circuit has primary and secondary windings where a capacitor and load resistance are connected in parallel with the primary winding, the value of the load resistance is selected so that in a state of oscillation the ohmic losses in the load resistance are substantially higher than the ohmic losses in the primary winding, and the primary and secondary windings are disposed so that the mutual flux between the primary and secondary windings is substantially less than the particular flux of each winding.

Abstract: A mechanical-electric energy converter comprising a wheel for transmitting energy which rotates at a low speed. The teeth of the driving wheel shift the rotor of the generator from its position of equilibrium, causing it to oscillate around the wheel. This converter can produce high angular velocities without a speed-increasing gear train.

Abstract: The method and the device for feeding a single-phase stepping motor for a timepiece are adapted to provide the motor (M) with a sequence of chopped voltage pulses of variable duration as a function of load conditions and of feed voltage. The sequence of chopped voltage pulses comprises in particular a supplementary sequence of partial voltage pulses of constant duration (T.sub.4), separated from each other by variable intervals (T.sub.5i) defined by a reference current (I.sub.ref) whose value is adapted as a function of the level of load of the motor.

Abstract: The method is designed to supply the motor with chopped voltage pulses of varying durations as a function of the load conditions and of the supply voltage. The chopped voltage pulse is composed of a plurality of partial pulses of predetermined durations T1, T2, and T3. The feeding circuit comprises a detector of a condition of extreme load defined by k1.multidot.T4<k2.multidot.T5, wherein k1 and k2 are constants, T4 is an interval separating T1 and T2, and T5 is an interval separating T2 and the first pulse T3.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor determines if a metallic object is in close proximity. An inductor is placed near the object. Several switches control the direction of the voltage passing through the inductor. During a first time period, the voltage flows through the inductor to induce a magnetic field in the object. During the second time period, the voltage is reversed in the inductor to quickly eliminate any current in the inductor. The decaying magnetic field in the object induces a voltage in the inductor which is measured during a third time period and compared to a reference value to determine the proximity of the object to the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for sorting used batteries and accumulators on the basis of their chemical constitution based on the analysis of the inductive effect produced by the substances which are contained in the battery or accumulator, and whose ferromagnetic properties differ according to their chemical constitution. The measurement process in which the apparatus is used is based on the consecutive application to the excitation circuit of at least two different voltage amplitudes at the same frequency or two different frequencies at the same voltage amplitude.

Abstract: The driving device comprises two single-phase stepping motors (1, 2), each having a different preferential direction of rotation. The bidirectional drive is achieved by selectively feeding one or the other of the two motors.

Abstract: Method of supplying power to a single phase step motor of a time-piece, adapted to provide the motor with chopped voltage pulses of time-period T.sub.6 variable with respect to the load conditions and to the supply voltage of the motor, characterized in that each said impulsion of chopped voltage is composed of a sequence of elementary pulses of the same polarity and of a constant duration T.sub.4, and in that the durations T.sub.5i separating the said elementary voltage pulses vary according to load conditions and according to the supply voltage of the motor variable with respect to the load conditions and to the supply voltage of the motor.The invention finds a field of application in motors for time-pieces.

Abstract: The method and circuit are particularly suitable for use in timepieces and are adapted to supply the motor with chopped-voltage pulses of variable durations as a function of the load conditions of the motor. A chopped pulse of variable duration T.sub.7 is composed of a partial pulse T.sub.4 of fixed duration and of a constant number of partial pulses T.sub.6i of variable duration, spaced by intervals T.sub.5i which are themselves determined by the duration of current drop between the preceding peak and a reference value. The durations T.sub.6i are proportional to the intervals T.sub.5i.

Abstract: A multipolar rotor (11) is magnetized axially and comprises, in one of its faces situated opposite two pole pieces (1 and 2), alternate north and south poles distributed along its periphery. Each of the pole pieces has a concave inside rim provided with teeth (5) separated by interposed zones (6). A core (3), on which a coil (4) is mounted, magnetically couples the pole pieces to the coil. The pitch .alpha.s of the teeth of the pole pieces is different from the pitch .alpha.r of the poles of the rotor.

Abstract: An assembly having a capsule containing a permanent magnet housed in a casing which is closed by a cover. The cover and the casing are both of ferromagnetic material. The bottom of the casing and the wall thereof are connected to each other by a narrow peripheral partition forming a saturable zone having high magnetic reluctance. The lines of flux developed by the magnet are thus concentrated through the base of the wall of the casing. The assembly is useful inter alia for the retention of dental prostheses.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for a day and date calendar device comprising two Maltese crosses from which one activates the display of the days and the other the display of the dates. One of said Maltese crosses includes a magnetic clutch serving as disconnecting-gear when the date indication only is changed.