Abstract: The invention relates to devices of the relay type, but using an electrostatic force, rather than a magnetic force, for moving the mobile element. A device according to the invention allows to produce a modification in one or several controlled circuits under the control of a modification or order in an actuating or controlled circuit.The device essentially includes two control electrodes, between which a potential difference may be applied (when desired) using an electrical power source and a control switch, and an electret constituted by an insulating element carrying electrical charges of opposite signs (negative and positive charges), the electret or the algebraic sum of which is different from zero; one of the electrodes is mobile and can occupy at least two positions.The device may be applied to realize electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or optical switchings.

Abstract: A process for deep micro-engraving of a material includes the steps of superpositioning a plurality of elementary layers of respectively alternating indices on the material. Each of the layers is individually transparent to a predetermined wavelength in vacuum, and has an optical thickness equal to one quarter of the predetermined wavelength. The process further includes forming a plurality of openings in the elementary layers; the openings correspond to regions to be engraved on the material, and uncover selected portions of the material. The material is then illuminated by a laser beam of sufficient power to engrave, by sublimation, the uncovered material portions. The laser has the predetermined wavelength, and the plurality of layers form a mirror for the laser beam, which have a relatively high threshold of damage from the laser, and absorb substantially no power from the laser beam.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension device, for example for the rear wheel of a motor cycle, comprises a fork with two arms between which the wheel is mounted. The fork oscillates about its base and an intermediate solid serves as a base for buttressing connections extending from the vicinity of the free ends of the arms of the fork.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing vaccines, which consists in bringing into contact a toxic product with glutaraldehyde at a concentration and for a duration just sufficient to detoxify or inactivate said toxic product, and in stopping the glutaraldehyde-antigen reaction as soon as said inactivation stage is reached by physical and/or chemical means. The thus obtained inactivate product remaining antigenic and retaining its immunizing power, is usable as a vaccine for the preventive treatment of human and animals against infections caused for example by microbial or venomous toxins.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting rotary motion into translatory motion including a threaded shaft, an internally threaded sleeve surrounding the shaft and a plurality of balls in a helical passage defined between the sleeve and shaft by the threads, comprises a channel for transferring the balls between opposite ends of the passage which includes a longitudinal bore in the sleeve and, in each of two identical annular end plates secured to either end of the sleeve, an arcuate recess formed by a central bore portion of increased radius, and a linear groove having opposite ends communicating with the recess and the sleeve bore. The end plates which may be moulded from self-lubricating plastics material may have stops adjacent the inner ends of the groove which project inwardly between adjacent threads of the groove to guide the balls into the groove. The ends of the sleeve bore may be chamfered and the outer end walls of the grooves inclined to aid transfer of the balls between the bore and groove.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically chopping a direct current signal by controlling the superconductivity state of resistance elements contained within a cryostat. The resistance elements are in a bridge arrangement and the control is provided by laser diodes also contained within the cryostat.

Abstract: A calorimeter includes an adiabatic enclosure surrounding a tube for supporting a sample. In the enclosure is a control chamber in thermal contact with the sample-carrier tube and containing a substantially perfect gas. The temperature of the sample is kept constant during a change of state by varying the pressure of this gas. A differential gas thermometer provides an indication of the difference between the temperature of the sample and that of a thermally insulated reference body which is initially at the same temperature as the sample. An automatic control system varies the pressure of the gas in the control chamber in the sense which tends to cancel any temperature variations detected by the differential gas thermometer. The gas pressure is varied by means of a vertical passage which has its upper end connected to the control chamber and its lower end connected to receive hydraulic liquid from a volumetric pump actuated by the control system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing vaccines, which consists in bringing into contact a toxic product with glutaraldehyde at a concentration and for a duration just sufficient to detoxify or inactivate said toxic product, and in stopping the glutaraldehyde-antigen reaction as soon as said inactivation stage is reached by physical and/or chemical means. The thus obtained inactivate product remaining antigenic and retaining its immunizing power, is usable as a vaccine for the preventive treatment of human and animals against infection caused for example by microbial or venomous toxins.

Abstract: The invention relates to lamelliform oxides of high ionic conductivity which contain monovalent elements inserted between lamellae of oxides of the type (L.sub.x M.sub.1-x) O.sub.2 wherein L is a trivalent element, M is a tetravalent element and x is a number between 0 and 1. Such oxides are useful as solid electrolytes in electrochemical generators or cells.

Abstract: In a method for measuring the concentration of a substance contained in a gas, the gas is irradiated with a radiation having a sufficiently short wavelength to photodissociate the substance. A photometric measurement is then carried out on at least one of the products of photodissociation in order to determine its concentration which is proportional to the concentration of the substance to be measured.

Abstract: A cold storage installation having a part thereof which is available for rapid freezing consists of a number of open compartments which are disposed one following the other and intercommunicating. Certain consecutive compartments are associated with means such as fans for creating air circulation conditions necessary for their utilization as freezing spaces. These consecutive compartments are adapted to be covered in longitudinally, possibly by fixed walls and movable elements associated with the compartments or possibly in part at least by elements on pallets to be located in the compartments.The freezing compartments are preferably upstream of the refrigerating equipment which may be located in an upper passage.The whole array of compartments is preferably provided with corridors, air circulation passages being located parallel to the corridors and transversely at the ends of the corridors.

Abstract: The use of polyconjugated polymers having .pi.-electrons which are delocalized throughout the macromolecular chain as oxidation-reduction polymers is described. The apparatus for regenerating such oxidation-reduction polymers comprises a column, at least one working electrode, an auxiliary electrode, a reference electrode, a potentiostat and a porous wall which separates the auxiliary electrode from the working electrode. Also disclosed is the use of the polymers in the oxidation and reduction of organic and inorganic substances.

Abstract: A synchronous rotary electric machine has a stationary superconducting D.C. field winding, a rotatable mechanical torque transmission shaft which carries normally conducting polyphase windings for providing a rotating field when A.C. currents circulate therein, and stationary auxiliary D.C. windings constructed to deliver a magnetic field. The currents in the auxiliary windings are adjusted for maintaining the torque and axial force tending to move the field winding under a predetermined value.

Abstract: A control device in implantable sub-cutaneously for use in medicine and surgery. It is actuable by pressing on a sub-cutaneous membrane. It comprises a first chamber closed by the membrane which is placed on one surface of its casing and contains an incompressible fluid, and a second chamber, containing a gas and housing two coaxial bellows connected at their free ends. One of the bellows communicates with the first chamber and the second bellows communicates with a flexible duct going to the duct or cavity to be controlled.

Abstract: In a method and system for the iterative and simultaneous comparison of a flow of data with a group of reference data items, the reference data items are recorded in the form of logical entities in a two dimensional memory table, one entity per column, each line containing data elements of the same order of each reference entity. The elements of the flow of data are compared in parallel and successively with those contained in the lines of the table, according to a first function provided by a logic unit. Each time, the results of a comparison are combined with the results already obtained (or, in the case of the first comparison results, with a set of initial register states, typically a "transparent" all-true set of states to pass on the first results to the next combination step which is usually the first meaningful combination step) according to a second function provided by a second logic unit, the result of the method being, in the simplest case, given by the final comparison.

Abstract: An electric power generating plant includes at least two compressors having matched operating characteristics, alternators and turbines and boilers having combustion chambers connected to the turbines. The compressors, alternators and turbines are operatively interconnected such that during no power demand periods the compressors are driven in a series arrangement by the alternators, functioning as electric motors, to store a supply of pressurized air in an air storage tank, and during normal and peak power demand periods the turbines, supplied by the combustion chambers of the boilers, drive the compressors, functioning in parallel relationship, which feed respective ones of the boilers with enriched air and a gas recycled after expansion by one of the turbines. During the normal and peak power demand periods pressurized air previously stored in the air storage tank by the compressors is fed to the combustion chamber of one of the boilers.

Abstract: A device which generates plasma by energizing a column of gas with a high frequency periodic electric field of a frequency of at least 100MHz. The generating means extends over only a part of the gas column and the power of the energizing field is such that the plasma generated includes and extends beyond said part of the gas column. In one embodiment the gas column is contained in an elongated insulating casing and the generating means comprises a first metallic tube open at both ends and surrounding a part of the casing, a second tube enclosing the first, and a connecting ring between the first and second tubes.

Abstract: Process of production of a separate phase, especially a solid phase of modified composition, from a matrix in liquid phase.Starting at a temperature at which the matrix is entirely molten, it is subjected to the action of an electromagnetic field, with such a frequency that the induced currents can be developed in the entire mass, and then the matrix is cooled, while maintaining the electromagnetic field, to a temperature range which causes the separation of a separate phase, especially a solid phase, and this phase is collected, under the effect of the electromagnetic field, in a certain zone of the matrix in the form of a compact mass.

Abstract: Polymerizations catalyzed by very finely divided lithium.The process is characterized in using lithium having an average particle diameter of less than 2.mu. and preferably of 0.1.mu. or less as a polymerization initiator.The process permits .alpha.-.omega. dilithic oligomers to be obtained.

Abstract: A method of making plate material consisting of agglomerated clay-based particles, comprising providing a liquid particle suspension such as slip within a gap left between two continuously travelling confronting electrodes at a given voltage applied thereto, subjecting the suspension to an electrophoretic action between said electrodes and an adjacent counter-electrode subjected to a different voltage and controlling the formation and thickness of the electrophoretic deposits on said first electrodes so that when they leave the electrophoretic field they will be fused together with their outer surfaces having contacted each other and recovering said plate formed continuously from both layers of electrophoretic deposits.