Abstract: The invention relates to the encapsulation of integrated circuits, and more particularly encapsulation in a multi-layer ceramic case. In order to permit the disposition of chips of variable size on a monolithic chip (22, 24, 26) reception site (23, 25, 27) without the risk of having excessively long connection wires between the chip and the conductive regions (44) surrounding the reserved site, it is proposed according to the invention to cover the chip-reception site with a number of mutually insulated conductive contacts which can serve as soldering relays for these connection wires (80, 90, 100). If the chip is large (chip 24) it is bonded or soldered to these contacts; if it is small (chip 22) it is surrounded by relay-contacts.

Abstract: A hand held, unitary assembly, data collection device for an off-line vending machine such as a parking meter, which is operable by smart integrated circuit chip cards. The vending machine has a chip card reader, and which stores data as to the sale of goods/services from the machine. The device has a first portion which mechanically and electrically fits the vending machine reader; and a second portion with an opening to receive a PCMCIA card. Data is retrieved and transferred to the PCMCIA card. The first and second portions are rigidly joined to one another forming a unitary assembly, and the second portion securely holds the PCMCIA card, and is also a handle for gripping the device.

Abstract: In a liquid projection method and a high-resolution printing device in a vibrationally excited continuous ink-jet printer, an ink jet is divided into drops in the vicinity of a charging device for the electrostatic charging of these drops creating an electrical field that is asymmetrical with respect to the axis of the jet. The method comprises a first step of creating a single microdrop at the upstream end of a main drop by the application of a charging voltage V.sub.M higher than the Rayleigh voltage to the charging device when this main drop appears. Then a second step of deflecting the microdrop to be used for the printing by the application, to the following main drop, of a charging voltage V.sub.c, lower than the voltage V.sub.M and lower than the Rayleigh voltage, that can be modulated as a function of the path chosen for the microdrop towards the printing medium. The charging device can take the form of two half-planes intersecting each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the ink jet.

Abstract: The invention relates to exchangeable memory cards having several integrated circuits for personal computers. These memory cards serve as a large capacity mass memory for replacing floppy disks and other exchangeable magnetic supports. In particular, they have a plug-in connector (12) at the end of the card and can be inserted in the reader in accordance with PCMCIA standards of a microcomputer. According to an aspect of the invention, a flush contact chip card memory is formed by such a plug-in card (10) and for this purpose the latter has a supplementary connector with flush contacts on its principal face (14). The thus formed reader is transportable, with its application software stored in the card (10) and can be installed in any random microcomputer equipped with a PCMCIA reader. A credit card or security card (18) can then be inserted in the transportable reader. The memory card is typical a PCMCIA size card with a recess on one major plane surface and the security cards fits into this recess.

Abstract: A self-synchronous electrical motor comprises a rotor, a stator formed by stator windings, at least one electronic switch series-connected with a stator winding to control a mean current in the winding, a sensor of the angular position of the rotor to control the working of the switch. This electrical motor also comprises a rotating mechanical commutator or change-over switch device to shunt or route a current given by a power supply source into windings selected as a function of the position of the rotor. The commutator device is interposed in a series circuit formed by the power supply source, the stator windings and the electronic switch. Application to the industry of automobiles using electrical traction.

Abstract: A self-synchronous electrical motor comprises one rotor, one stator formed by at least one set of four stator windings, at least one electronic switch connected to a stator winding to control the current in the stator winding and a sensor of the angular position of the rotor to control the working of the switch. It also has a rotating commutator device, driven by the rotor, to shunt a current coming from a power supply source into windings selected as a function of the position of the rotor. The commutator device is connected to a first end of each of the windings, the second end of two of the windings being connected to the power supply source and the second end of the other two windings being connected to the electronic switch. Application notably to electrical traction systems for automobiles.

Abstract: An ink-jet printing machine which has adjacent printing modules. In each printing module, the ink-jet generating device, the ink-drop deflecting device and the collector for collecting the undeflected drops are borne by a single-piece element located on one face of a supporting beam. The opposite face of the supporting beam bears an ink feeding device, and a container to collect the unused ink coming from the collector and the generation device. The deflecting device is mounted in a pivoting manner so that it can be interposed between the generating device and the collector during the printing operation, and can be withdrawn during the maintenance operation.

Abstract: A sealed piston pump having in an open cavity of the pump body, a circular single-piece set formed by a central cylindrical piston. The piston is coupled by a rod to a driving member while the piston in an alternating motion along its longitudinal axis. A ring is placed on the pump body which is hollowed out with an annular channel and a deformable thinned part connecting the piston to the ring. The single-piece set and the pump body are fixedly joined to each other in an imperviously sealed way. The single-block set is made of a synthetic material that is flexible and mechanically and chemically resistant. The pump can be advantageously used in ink-jet printers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric current producing cell which contains an anode, a polymer electrolyte which is chemically inert with respect to the anode and the cathode, and a composite cathode having an organo-sulfur compound as a cathode active material, a conjugated polymer for the transport of electrons and a polymer electrolyte for the transport of ions.

Abstract: A foldup grandstand, in which the rows of seats telescope into an unfolded position with the rows of seats available for the spectators, or into a folded position in which the rows of seats are nested one above the other. A series of frames with wheels support the seats, and a V-shaped pieces and frame aligned with a centering finger on an adjacent frame to join the two frames together. The finger has a bent shape and a special head which facilitates its alignment with the V-shaped piece. A self-locking element, rollers, ballast, drivers, cable drives, and an immobilization or locking members are also parts of the grandstand mechanism.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention the discrete or integrated electronic components are encapsulated, each in a package, for example a plastic one; the packages are then mounted on a printed circuit board, for example an epoxy one. The components and board as a whole are covered with a relatively thick first layer consisting of an organic compound and ensuring a levelling function, followed by a second layer such as an inorganic metal compound, the function of which is to ensure the hermetic sealing of the whole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric current producing cell which contains an anode, a polymer electrolyte which is chemically inert with respect to the anode and the cathode, and a composite cathode having an organo-sulfur compound as a cathode active material, a conjugated polymer for the transport of electrons and a polymer electrolyte for the transport of ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to integrated circuits and their manufacture.A process is described for producing electrodes juxtaposed very close together, such as those encountered in charge-coupled shift registers. According to the invention, a first polycrystalline-silicon layer (14) is deposited and a localised oxidation is performed over a small width, in order to tcwtcwdivide the layer into two electrodes (15 and 17). The layer zone which has been oxidised between the two electrodes is then totally deoxidised, in order to produce a hollowed-out space in which it will be possible to house a third electrode (38). This third electrode, also made from polycrystalline silicon, is deposited after a slight insulating layer has been reformed on the side walls of the electrodes 15 and 17. As the width of the hollowed-out space between the two first electrodes is small, a polycrystalline-silicon overthickness is formed.

Abstract: A method that enables the certification, at reception as well as at transmission, of messages sent by facsimile includes writing characteristic elements of a message in a rectangular box at the head of this message. A certifier device is used to decode alphanumerical characters of this box, encrypt them, and fashion an alphanumerical seal which is transmitted on the line of the facsimile machine with the standard code of facsimile transmission signals. At reception, the seal appears at the bottom of the message while the box appears always at the top of the message. To authenticate this seal, the receiver may approach an information retrieval center which will carry out the encoding operation on the contents of the box and compare the result with the seal to authenticate the message.

Abstract: In a waveguide (1) having slots (2, 3) perpendicular to the axis of the waveguide, cut out in a narrow wall of the waveguide, there are positioned, on each side of each slot, pairs of metal flat plates (21, 22; 31, 32) symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the slot. These flat plates modify the electrical field at the associated slot and make it possible to excite it, the value of the coupling being set by the adjusting of the size of the flat plates and of their position with respect to the corresponding radiating slot.

Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for topical application containing high concentrations of the enzyme collagenase in non-aqueous excipients. The invention also provides a particular excipient, dextran, which is especially useful for admixture with collagenase and which can also be used to advantage with othr pharmaceutically active materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to PC-cards.In order to permit communications between readers operating according to several different communication protocols, according to the invention said card comprises:several conversion circuits (CNV1, CNV2, CNV3), each of which is able to convert into instructions performable by the card the electrical signals received from the reader according to a given protocol, each of the different conversion circuits corresponding to a different communication protocol,and a protocol selection circuit (CNVA, L0, L1, L2, L3, G1 to G6), incorporating an auxiliary conversion circuit (CNVA), the latter being able to produce specific instructions performable by the card, said specific instructions being used for the selection of one of the conversion circuits and being produced from electrical signals which can be produced in all the protocols.

Abstract: A device for accessing and following tracks on a surface of mobile media on which data is optically readable and writable by a laser beam. The device includes at least one optical head made of a rigid carriage which enables a laser beam (F) to access the track. A lens is rigidly linked to the rigid carriage (3) and focuses the laser beam on the surface of the mobile data medium. A return mirror is rigidly linked to the rigid carriage to direct the laser beam towards the lens. At least one motor coil allows movements of the carriage to focus the laser beam. A mirror which is not fixed to the optical head allows the laser beam to be directed towards the optical head, and a motor coil allows the mirror to pivot. Also means are provided for detecting and correcting any decentering of the beam in relation to the axis perpendicular to the plane of a pupil of the lens and passing through its center.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and in particular degreasing optical fibers (6) emerging from the stripped end of the sheath of a cable (5), surrounding in particular a plurality of such fibers protected by a material based on grease or the like. According to the invention, this process consists in utilizing a liquid solvent (13) applied to the external surface of the fiber in the form of a foam, composed of a mixture of solvent and air, increasing the contact surface of the fiber and the solvent. The subject of the invention is also an apparatus for carrying out this process.