Abstract: A spiral spring for a horological resonator mechanism, including a flexible strip (2) coiled on itself into several turns The spring (1) including an element for adjusting its stiffness, which includes a first elongate flexible element (5), and a second elongate flexible element (15) arranged in series with the strip (2), each elongate flexible element (5) connecting the same end (4) of the strip (2) to a fixed support (11), so as to add an additional stiffness to the strip (2), each elongate flexible element (5) preferably having a stiffness higher than that of the strip (2). A prestressing element (6) applies at least two different adjustable efforts, the two efforts being applied on the first elongate flexible element (5) so as to make the stiffness of the first elongate flexible element (5) vary according to the prestress level.

Abstract: A spiral spring for a horological resonator mechanism, including a flexible strip (2) coiled on itself into several turns, the strip (2) having a predefined stiffness. The spring (1) include an element for adjusting its stiffness, including a unique elongate flexible element (5) arranged in series with the strip (2), and connecting one end (4) of said strip (2) to a fixed support (11), to add additional stiffness. The flexible element (5) has a stiffness higher than that of the strip (2). A prestressing element (6) applies two different efforts on the element (5), and includes a first lever (8) attached to the end (4) of the strip (2) to allow adjusting a first effort, and a second lever (8) also attached to the end (4) of the strip (2) to adjust a second effort independently of the first effort.

Abstract: A balance-spring, particularly for a timepiece resonator mechanism. An adjustment device include a single elongated flexible element (5) arranged in series of strip (2), connecting one end (4, 9) of said strip (2) to a fixed support (11), to add an additional stiffness to the strip (2), and having a stiffness greater than that of the strip (2). A prestressing means (6) applies at least two different stresses on the elongated flexible element (5), the first stress being provided by a tensile/compressive force directed substantially in the longitudinal direction FL of the elongated flexible element (5), and the second stress being provided, either by a force directed substantially in a direction substantially orthogonal FT to the longitudinal direction of the elongated flexible element (5), or by a torque M, preferably a bending moment, in such a way as to vary the stiffness of the elongated flexible element (5).

Abstract: A method for evaluating and/or compensating the acceleration offset in a combined accelerometer and gyroscope, wherein the evaluation or compensation is based on a quadrature signal delivered by the accelerometer.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope includes a proof mass (1); a spring suspension system (5, 6, 7, 8; 9) for suspending the proof mass; an electrical drive mechanism for vibrating the proof mass along a drive axis (x); and electrodes (2, 3) for building together with at least a part of the proof mass (1) a capacitance system for detecting moves of the proof mass along a sense axis (z) perpendicular to the drive axis. The gyroscope is arranged so that quadrature forces generate displacements of the proof mass without substantially displacing the neutral point (10) of the proof mass along the sense axis (z). This may be achieved by tilting the proof mass while keeping its neutral point at a constant position along the sense axis, or by applying a constant electrostatic force.

Abstract: A vibrating gyroscope comprising: a proof mass (1); a spring suspension system (5, 6, 7, 8; 9) for suspending the proof mass; an electrical drive mechanism for vibrating the proof mass along a drive axis (x); electrodes (2, 3) for building together with at least a part of the proof mass (1) a capacitance system for detecting moves of the proof mass along a sense axis (z) perpendicular to the drive axis. The gyroscope is arranged so that quadrature forces generate displacements of the proof mass without substantially displacing the neutral point (10) of the proof mass along the sense axis (z). This may be achieved by tilting the proof mass while keeping its neutral point at a constant position along the sense axis, or by applying a constant electrostatic force.

Abstract: A method for evaluating and/or compensating the acceleration offset in a combined accelerometer and gyroscope, wherein the evaluation or compensation is based on a quadrature signal delivered by the accelerometer.