Abstract: A steam generating humidifier apparatus (1) comprises a water container (2) with a water inlet (11) and a steam outlet (12) and at least two elongated electrodes (3, 4) arranged vertically within the container. The electrodes have each an upper electrode end (3?, 4?) and a lower electrode end (3?, 4?) and at least one of the electrodes is provided at its lower electrode end with an end piece (15) made of an electrically non-conducting material which end piece is connected to the lower electrode end. This will avoid arcing between the electrode and the water surface in cases where the water level drops so low that the electrodes are exposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy generating station comprising an electrical energy generating system and a warm water and cold water production system cooperating with the electrical energy generating system. Optionally, the energy generating station also comprises a desalination module and a climate-based energy generating system, both cooperating with the electrical energy generating system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a floating device for cooperating with an insert via a reversible interlocking connection, comprising a float and having a main hole. In order to propose a floating device adaptable to a very large number of applications, proposing, in particular, an optional multi-step installation, the main hole of such a device is arranged to receive the insert. Moreover, the floating device comprises reversible attachment structure arranged to maintain a relative position of the device along the insert. The invention further concerns a floating system comprising a floating device according to the invention and an insert cooperating with the floating device via a reversible interlocking connection, the insert being designed to produce electrical energy by means of the thermal gradient of the oceans.

Abstract: A steam generating humidifier apparatus (1) comprises a water container (2) with a water inlet (11) and a steam outlet (12) and at least two elongated electrodes (3, 4) arranged vertically within the container. The electrodes have each an upper electrode end (3?, 4?) and a lower electrode end (3?, 4?) and at least one of the electrodes is provided at its lower electrode end with an end piece (15) made of an electrically non-conducting material which end piece is connected to the lower electrode end. This will avoid arcing between the electrode and the water surface in cases where the water level drops so low that the electrodes are exposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrumentation assembly intended for an offshore riser (2) operated from a floater (1). It comprises a central processing unit (PC) connected by conducting cables (27) to: a plurality of modules (21–25) fastened to various points of the riser length, the modules comprising measuring means allowing dynamic location of said points in space, another locating module (26) fastened to the lower end (LMRP) of said riser, a series of detectors (W, C, M/W) for measuring the environment: wind, wave, current, an assembly for measuring the position (DGPS, P) of the floater. The measurements are synchronized with one another, managed and recorded by means of the central processing unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a space craft, such as a telecommunication geostationary satellite, comprising a body, at least one main telecommunication antenna having a specific orientation relative to the body, at least a omnidirectional antenna having a field of view opposite to that of the main antennae and at least a radiator extensible by tilting about an axis linked to the craft body between a stowing position wherein it is pressed against the body and an extended position. The axis is positioned substantially in the plane of one surface of the body parallel to the orientation of the omnidirectional antenna and to the surfaces or the surface bearing the main antenna. The radiator tilts at an angle close to 180° from a position wherein it is pressed against one surface bearing a solar panel to a position wherein it extends substantially in the plane of the surface which bears it when it is stowed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a space craft, such as a telecommunication geostationary satellite, comprising a body (10), at least one main telecommunication antenna (12) having a specific orientation relative to the body, at least an omnidirectional antenna having a field of view opposite to that of the main antennae and at least a radiator (25) extensible by tilting about an axis (30) linked to the craft body between a stowing position wherein it is pressed against the body and an extended position. Said axis (30) is positioned substantially in the plane of one surface of the body parallel to the orientation of the omnidirectional antenna (26) and to the surfaces or the surface bearing the main antenna. The radiator tilts at an angle close to 180° from a position wherein it is pressed against one surface bearing a solar panel to a position wherein it extends substantially in the plane of the surface which bears it when it is stowed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrumentation assembly intended for an offshore riser (2) operated from a floater (1).

Abstract: A method of calibrating a camera (4, 22) disposed on a mobile support (21). The camera takes an image of a test object formed of at least three marks appearing in the field of the camera, and analysis of the image gives the initial position and orientation of the camera with respect to that of the test object, which are known in an application. The support (21) can then be moved towards an object (28) of which the camera takes images. As the movements of the support are measured accurately, analysis of the images of the object gives the precise position and orientation of the object with respect to the camera and with respect to the test object. One application is the recording of road signs (28) in order to compose databases for network management or for an on-board navigation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for controlling the circulation of messages in a ring network, in which the data are consecutively supplied, which ensures a consistency of the circulating messages. It also relates to an interconnection system for performing this process. This system comprises a plurality of processors (P0, . . . , Pn) connected on a ring network by means of in each case a cell (C0, . . . , Cn) ensuring the transmission and reception of messages circulating in the ring, a reception module (R0, . . . , Rn) able to store the messages intended for the processor and a transmission module (E0, . . . En) able to store the messages to be supplied to the network.

Abstract: In a method for simultaneous transmission of two heterochronous binary signals in the form of a single binary signal on a common physical medium, the second binary signal is timed by a bit clock whose period is greater than the minimal duration allowed for a bit of the first signal. For constituting the single binary signal transmitted there is provision for inserting between transitions of the first binary input signal a brief binary level inverting pulse for each bit of the second input signal which corresponds to the same one of the two possible binary levels of the second signal. Each temporary polarity inversion pulse due to the second signal is placed outside a guard area on either side of transitions of the first signal.

Abstract: In a method of synchronizing synchronous digital bit streams each comprising bits each having the same duration, one of the bit streams is taken as a reference. This provides a basis for defining successive reference time intervals each equal to the bit duration. A plurality of timing windows are defined within each reference time interval. A second bit stream is subjected to a time-delay that can have a null or zero value. One of the windows is taken as a reference window on the basis of a required phase relationship between the reference bit stream and this second bit stream. The phases of the reference bit stream and the second bit stream are compared to determine a window containing the beginning of each bit of the second bit stream. The time-delay, if any, to be applied to the second bit stream is determined on the basis of this window.