Abstract: The earth ring (8) bears the lunar disc (9) which pivots in a hollow of the surface (8a). On its outer periphery it possesses teeth (17) for driving it from the final wheel set (15) of the stepping transmission gear train (15,24,12). The driving wheel set (12) is activated one step per day from the date wheel. The pinion (20) of the lunar disc (9) is in mesh with the outer teeth (22), normally fixed but which may be displaced by means of the correction arrangement controlled by the stem (30) when it is turned in a predetermined sense. The same correction arrangement also enables one to act on the transmission train (12, 14,15,17). The stem (30) is then driven in a sense opposite to the above which displaces the sliding pinion (36) and enables correction of the position of the lunar disc (9) relative to the earth ring (8) this latter normally effecting a complete rotation in twelve months and the lunar disc (9 ) a complete rotation in about 29.5 days.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of an improved diamond deposition cell, a chamber is evacuated to a low pressure and a graphite element in the chamber is heated to a selected high temperature and heats a substrate positioned within the chamber spaced by a selected gap from the graphite body to a selected lower temperature. Hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and hydrocarbon gas is admitted to the chamber and part of the hydrogen reacts with the hot graphite body to form atomic hydrogen and hydrocarbon gasses. Hydrogen and hydrocarbon gasses cycle repeatedly across the gap between the facing surfaces of the body and the substrate in the kinetic regime resulting in a net transfer of carbon to the substrate and its deposition as diamond crystals or film on the substrate. In a second embodiment, the graphite body is heated by combusting gasses in a cavity therein.

Abstract: A silica-based coating for, and a method for coating glass, metal, ceramic, and plastic surfaces by forming single cross-linked O--Si--O polymer chains. The coating generally comprises a binder and a filler. The binder is a mixture of silica-based polymers, colloidal silica, and metal oxide particles in an aqueous suspension. It includes four main ingredients: an alkali metal silicate; silica gel; a crosslinking agent such as methyltrimethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane; and water. After curing, the binder forms an amorphous layer that binds the fillers to the surface. The protective coating is formed at room temperature, without the addition of energy in any form. The fillers are chosen to provide the coating with mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and increased corrosion resistance. Fillers may also be chosen to modify the coating's dielectric constant, to improve the coating's surface lubricity, and to alter the coating's thermal coefficient of expansion.

Abstract: The wheel drive module comprises a motor (9), a casing (1) partially housing the motor, a wheel support platform (22), a wheel (R) rigidly mounted on the platform, a reduction transmission (31) engaging directly between the motor and the wheel, and a single main transmission shaft (12) bearing the rotor (13) of the motor as well as an input member (35) of the transmission.The casing (1) comprises on the side of the wheel, a fixing shank (18) externally receiving a bearing for said platform (22). The length of the shank is equal to the distance (d) between the input member (35) of the transmission (31) and the free end of the rear part of the platform (22). The reduction transmission (31) is housed in the platform (22). Finally a portion of the main transmission shaft that is torsionally deformable is housed inside the fixing shank.

Abstract: A guide bush is described, having a bush-holder and a quill integral with the bush support. The device has a clamp capable of rotating a workpiece, means for opening and closing the clamp and regulating means adapted to monitor the opening and closing means in order to compensate for changes in the dimensional tolerances of the workpiece, wherein the bush regulating means are adapted to operate the opening and closing means of the clamping means very quickly as a direct result of variations in the dimensional tolerances of the workpiece in order to provide a substantially constant pressure of the clamp on the workpiece. The bush is for use with a machine tool such as a travelling headstock automatic lathe.

Abstract: This n-phased electromagnetic motor having two rotation senses and in which n is greater than 1, is particularly intended to drive the mechanism of a timepiece movement. It comprises n magnetic circuits, each being magnetically decoupled from n-1 other magnetic circuits. Each magnetic circuit includes two stator poles (4a and 4c, 4b and 4d) each comprising a polar expansion (6a to 6d respectively) partially defining a stator cavity (3) in which a rotor (2) is housed. These two stator poles are diametrally opposite one another relative to the axis (X--X) of the rotor (2). The magnetic separation of the magnetic circuits is assured by means of one or several gap(s) (15) judiciously arranged.

Abstract: The invention discloses an internal combustion engine in which the open housing oil pressure pump (1) is closed by securing it directly onto the cylinder head (5), the moving elements of the pump being fixed to the camshaft (20) by means of an axial abutment (29). Sealing is assured on the one hand by means of an O ring (25) between the pump (1) and the head (5), on the other hand by means of a lip seal (45) and a breather (51). The axial play (44), also affecting the sealing, is maintained at the desired amount by means of the levelled washer (47). The application is to all engines for which reduction in weight, volume and maintenance cost is sought.

Abstract: This motor of the piezo-electric type comprises a stator (1) and a rotor (15) intended to effect relative movement to one another. The stator (1) comprises a plate (17) of generally planar form and means for generating therein vibratory waves at an ultrasonic frequency. Such waves enable the imparting of an elliptic motion to at least one active point (17c) on the periphery of the plate in the plane of the latter, said active point being in engagement with a motion transmission surface (22) of the rotor (15) in order to bring about movement of the rotor (15) relative to the stator (1) by virtue of the elliptic motion. The plate (17) of generally planar form includes a central circular portion (17a), to one of the faces of which are attached the means for generating the vibratory waves. From this central portion extend at least two lobes (17b) on the edges (17d) of which are arranged said active points (17c).

Abstract: The device comprises a transducer which supplies, in response to an exciting signal, a detection signal that is representative of its angular speed, and a circuit which responds to this detection signal to supply an angular speed measurement signal. For this measurement signal to be readily usable regardless of the transducer, the circuit measures the phase difference between the detection signal and the exciting signal, this phase difference being representative of the angular speed of the transducer.

Abstract: This transducer comprises a rotor (18) and a stator (2) having at least three magnetic poles (12a, 12b, 12c) each terminating with a polar lug (24a, 24b, 24c). The polar lugs are connected together by magnetic flux guide branches (8a, 8b, 8c) each bearing an excitation coil (10a, 10b, 10c). The stator is made up from two principal parts (4, 6) situated for the most part in two different planes while the magnetic flux guide branches (8a, 8b, 8c) are situated in a region between such planes. This transducer exhibits a compact structure and may be inexpensively manufactured by simple blanking of the stator parts. In particular it finds application in the driving of small dimension precision mechanisms such as timepieces.

Abstract: A timepiece including: an inner hours pipe (2) supporting a lower wheel (6), an outer pipe (30) mounted on the inner pipe (2) and supporting an upper wheel (32) arranged above the lower wheel (6), a star (12) mounted on the hours pipe (2) and fixed in rotation to the lower wheel (6), two driving rollers (20) cooperating with the star (12) and driven by the upper wheel (32) and a spring (26) bringing back the roller (20), such timepiece being characterized in that the lower wheel (6), which constitutes an hours wheel in mesh with a dial train, is mounted to be free in rotation relative to the inner hours pipe (2), while the upper wheel (32) forms a correction wheel capable of acting on the hours pipe (2) in order to modify the hour displayed.

Abstract: There is provided an elevator shaftway intrusion detector which utilizes a proximity detector including an energy source for generating a detection field within a zone of detection including the elevator shaft-side roof and floor and a corresponding receiver for receiving the detection field when an object enters the detection zone and thereafter generating a detection signal. A power supply and switching network are employed for applying power from the power supply to the proximity detector and which are responsive to the detection signal for applying power from the power supply to a detection indicator such as a siren.

Abstract: A gear mechanism for use in horology is described. The gear mechanism not only returns one of the wheels therein to its original position but also carries along with it a second wheel thereby enabling the mechanism to be made thinner and reducing the number of parts needed to carry out these two functions. The mechanism has a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel constituting a toothed wheel fitted on an axis on which is fixed a heart-shaped cam, the point of this cam functioning as the gear engaging means for the second wheel, the cam enabling return of the said first wheel to its starting position by means of a hammer. The invention is of particular value in chronographs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding plate apparatus for golf clubs which is installed in a golf bag. The apparatus has three plates, an upper plate made of a rigid material, an intermediate plate made of an elastic material, and a bottom plate made of a rigid material. The three plates are assembled together, with the openings in each plate aligned with those of the other two plates. The holes in the elastic intermediate plate are made slightly smaller than the corresponding holes in the upper and lower plates such that when a golf club is inserted through the plates it makes contact only with the elastic material. The lower plate is of a form such that it mounts on the partitioning walls of a conventional golf bag. The intermediate plate also includes gripping openings such that the clubs may be either loosely placed in the large opening or firmly held in place by use of the small gripping opening.

Abstract: An optical cell having an optically active material, for example a liquid crystal is disclosed, the transparency of which is a function of the electrical voltage applied together with a control circuit, wherein said optically active material presents an electrical impedance variable with the frequency of the signal applied and said control circuit has a voltage source and means for controlling the frequency of the signal delivered by said voltage source. The cell has applications in attenuating light, notably in a sun screen or automobile rear-view mirror.

Abstract: A portable pump for the administration of a therapeutic liquid substance having at least one integral supply reservoir is disclosed. The object of the invention is to present a pump having at least two modules in which the sterilizable elements are divided from the non-sterilizable elements, the operation of the pump being started when the various modules are assembled and being permanently disrupted when the modules are separated. The object of the invention is achieved with the aid of a pump comprising a reservoir module having a supply reservoir of medicaments and at least one tube connected to the reservoir at the end of the pump, and a motor module comprising means for pumping motor means and control means. This pump is particularly useful for the treatment of patients in continuous low doses.

Abstract: A method for rendering asbestos in an asbestos-containing material harmless comprises wetting the material with an aqueous solution containing about 1 to 25% by weight of an organic acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid and at least 1% by weight of a source of fluoride ions, such as ammonium fluoride The acid hydrolyses the magnesium oxide units in asbestos while the fluoride ions attack the interleaved silica layers in the crystal structure of asbestos, thereby destroying the fibrous nature of the asbestos. Wetting with the solutions also facilitates the removal of asbestos-containing material from the substrate on which it is installed.

Abstract: A method for treating asbestos-containing material for removing such material from a substrate where it is installed and for destroying the asbestos in such asbestos-containing material, comprising wetting the material with an aqueous solution containing about 1 to 25% by weight of a weak organic acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid. Optionally, the aqueous solution further comprises about 1 to 10% by weight of a source of fluoride ions, such as ammonium fluoride. The weak acid solution assists in the removal of the asbestos-containing material and hydrolyses the magnesium oxide units in asbestos while the fluoride ions attack the interleaved silica layers in the crystal structure of asbestos, thereby destroying the fibrous nature of the asbestos.

Abstract: Treatment solutions for removing asbestos containing materials from substrates and for converting asbestos-containing materials to a non-asbestos material, which comprises an aqueous solution containing about 1 to 25% by weight of an acid and 1 to 10% by weight of a source of fluoride ions, such as ammonium fluoride. The acid solution hydrolyses the magnesium oxide units in asbestos while the fluoride ions attack the interleaved silica layers in the crystal structure of asbestos, thereby destroying the fibrous nature of the asbestos.