Abstract: The invention relates to a 2N pole claw rotor comprising a first magnetic material part, comprising an axial hub having a free end, and an end provided with N axially-extending claws that are peripherally localized, uniformly distributed, and together define a bezel; a second magnetic material part of polarity opposite to the polarity of the first magnetic material part, having the same shape as the first magnetic material part, and disposed facing the first magnetic material part, each claw of the second magnetic material part being disposed between two claws of the first magnetic material part, and vice versa; non-magnetic spacers interposed between the free ends of the claws and the end walls of the bezels of the facing parts; and non-magnetic rotor-cowling means.

Abstract: An optical frequency-encoded CDMA transmission system is presented in which received optical signals are decoded in the electric part of an optical receiver (12). To that end, the optical receiver (12) has a single photodetector (6) which converts received light into an electric signal, and which is directly or indirectly connected to a decoding unit (9, 10; 13, 14, 15), for recovering the information contained in the characteristic frequency-encoded spectrum.

Abstract: A method of preparing faces of a laser based on III-IV compounds, the method comprising the following operations:1) the faces of the laser are opened;2) said faces of the laser are placed in an enclosure in which there obtains a pressure of about 10.sup.-7 mbar to about 10.sup.-8 mbar, and they are subjected to a step of cleaning by irradiation with a pulsed laser; and3) the same pulsed laser is used to ablate a target so as to subject said faces to a passivation operation whereby silicon Si or gallium nitride GaN is deposited thereon by the pulsed laser deposition method until a thickness is obtained lying in the range 2 .ANG. to 20 .ANG..

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluoride glass optical fiber preform which has a fluoride glass core surrounded by a fluoride glass optical cladding includes the following steps: introducing the cladding glass in the molten state into a bottom part of a mold having a cylindrical inside cross-section, introducing the core glass in the molten state into a top part of the mold above the cladding glass, and inwardly solidifying the core glass and the cladding glass from the interface between the glasses and the mold. The kinetics of solidification of the core glass are such that complete solidification of the cladding glass occurs before complete solidification of the core glass.

Abstract: To shape binary optical signals, the apparatus comprises a first stage for providing a modulating signal whose high levels are stabilized so as to depend little on fluctuations in the input signal. The signal is applied to a second stage including an interferometer structure designed to deliver an output signal that is the result of interference between first and second auxiliary waves, the interference being respectively constructive and destructive when the power of the modulating signal corresponds respectively to a first logic state and to a second logic state. The apparatus can be used to modify the input signal by deleting or inserting data. It can be used in optical data switching or transmission.

Abstract: An electricity generating unit having a combined cycle, and comprising, mounted in succession along a common line of shafts via rigid couplings (28, 29, 31), a gas turbine (6), a steam turbine having a plurality of modules (1, 2), and an electricity generator (11), the gas turbine (6) being mounted to move in axial translation, and fixed to a moving abutment (27), said electricity generating unit being characterized in that the stator portions of the gas turbine (6) and of the first module (1) of the steam turbine are connected together via at least two links (32), in that said links (32) and the ends of the rotors of the gas turbine (6), and of the first module (1) of the steam turbine are enclosed in an enclosure (33) filled with a heat-conducting fluid, and in that each of the facing ends of the stator portions of the last two modules (1, 2) of the steam turbine is connected to a respective fixed point (34, 35).

Abstract: The invention relates to the design of (particularly) a fixed blade in an axial flow steam turbine. A conventional blade is of prismatic form with an aerofoil cross-section and extends radially between annular end blocks. The inventive blade is curved in the radial (height) direction, being convex from root to tip on its pressure face. The setting angle relative to the corresponding prismatic blade is therefore fine at the root and tip and coarse at the blade mid-height. The throat opening is thus reduced at root and tip and increased at mid-height so displacing some mass flow away from both lossy end wall regions. A considerable gain in the stage efficiency results. A further improvement results from providing an optimum corner fillet between the blades and end walls at the root and tip.

Abstract: This present invention concerns a circuit-breaker of the self-blasting type including a system for immobilizing the semi-mobile piston during a first part of displacement of the mobile contact assembly between the closed position and the open position and for displacing the piston axially during a second portion of the same displacement of the mobile contact assembly. This system includes at least one first longitudinal slot and at least one second longitudinal slot on the fixed tube, a freely rotatable locking tube carried by the fixed tube, aligned with the slots thereof and including at least one first longitudinal slot and at least one second longitudinal slot, at least one pin carried by the second tube and penetrating the first slot of the fixed tube and the first slot of the locking tube, and at least one pin carried by the piston and penetrating the second slot of the fixed tube and the second slot of the locking tube.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the electromagnetic torque of an asynchronous machine. The apparatus includes a corrector which controls the electromagnetic torque of an asynchronous machine by regulating the magnetic flux and by controlling the electromagnetic torque C.sub.m, the corrector including a regulator circuit (3) for regulating the rotor magnetic flux .phi..sub.r , having non-linear control using input/output linearization by static looping and whose output controls the d-component of the stator current i.sub.s, a first linear corrector (1) of the proportional, integral type whose output v is the input to the regulator circuit, and a second linear corrector (2) of the proportional, integral type whose output controls the angular frequency of the rotor currents .omega..sub.s1.

Abstract: A method for obtaining data representing the physical dimensions of a physical three-dimensional object without actually measuring the dimensions of the object. The data is obtained by providing a video image of the object and a model data representing an ideal model of the object. The model data is used to construct a model image, which is then superimposed over the video image. The model data is then modified until the model image exactly overlaps the video image. At that point, the data as so modified represents the physical dimensions of the object. The method is particularly suitable for inspecting object and surfaces for defects, especially when human presence is not desired.

Abstract: The equipment forms metal profiles on a stretch-bending machine on which a profile to be formed is held at its end by jaws connected to stretching rams and to a system for bending it against a convex punch member fixed to a toolholder table of the machine. The equipment includes a die member which is pressed against the punch member, once the profile has been bent against the punch member. An elastic material mandrel is placed inside the profile and the mandrel is compressed-expanded so that it presses the profile against internal surfaces of the punch member and of the die member when closed one against the other.

Abstract: The method is used in a switching network over which data packets are transferred and which includes a plurality of switching nodes with switching node terminations (SNT) and associates in each one of the switching node terminations (SNT) internal header information (IHI) included in an internal data packet received by the switching node termination and identifying an internal connection within the switching node and ending in the switching node termination, to external header information (EHI) included in an external data packet and identifying an outgoing external connection external to the switching node and originating from the switching node termination. The internal header information (IHI) includes a connection reference number (CRN) and a transfer type is associated to the internal connection. The method comprises three steps:a. determining the transfer type;b.

Abstract: In a pressurized gas circuit-breaker the mobile contact member is fixed to a connecting rod that passes coaxially through the fixed braking cylinder. The braking cylinder has transverse walls at both ends so as to delimit a cylinder. The connecting rod has a drive abutment that drives the braking piston in a final section of the opening travel, which increases the pressure in the first sub-space and reduces the pressure in the second sub-space. The braking piston is disposed on a bush around the connecting rod, the bush and the connecting rod delimiting an annular cylinder space between the drive member and a counter-abutment on the bush, a pressure being generated when the circuit-breaker opens. In this way a high braking force with no impact is very rapidly obtained.

Abstract: A system for writing a Bragg grating point-by-point in an optical waveguide includes an illumination system for producing a primary beam. It further includes a diffraction grating to receive the primary beam and to produce a zero order secondary beam and two symmetrical secondary beams of higher order and a focusing optical device for focusing the secondary beams onto a writing area of the waveguide. The diffraction grating and the focusing optical device define an intensity function of writing in the area of the guide including a central peak and two secondary peaks spaced from the central peak by a distance equal to the pitch of the grating.

Abstract: The control path of the switch (I) comprises an input stage (T2, T1) having an input (H) coupled to the input (E) for the control signal and having its output coupled to the control electrode (G) of the switch (I). A protection circuit (D1, Z2) coupled between the load (C) and the control path includes a threshold effect component (Z2) and a decoupling element (D1). On being made conductive by the current that results from a surge generated in a circuit of the load (C), the protection circuit (D1, Z2) is coupled to the input (H) of said input stage (T2, T1) to act on said switch (I) in the same way as a control signal for the switch (I). In this manner, the control path prevents current in the load (C) from dropping off suddenly.

Abstract: An apparatus for avoiding crosstalk problems when locating a vehicle travelling along an electromagnetic wave propagation path. The apparatus is particularly directed to rail transport. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic waves suitable for propagation along the propagation path. A reflector is included for reflecting the electromagnetic waves which propagate along the propagation path. The apparatus also includes a receiver, a comparator, and a processor. The apparatus is configured so that the transmitter does not transmit electromagnetic waves along the propagation path at the same time that the receiver receives the reflected electromagnetic waves. Because the transmitted waves are not transmitted on the propagation path at the same time as the reflected waves are received, the receiver receives only reflected waves at a time when there is no crosstalk interference between the transmitted and reflected waves.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a circuit-breaker, for carrying out an O-C-O cycle, followed by a C-O cycle, includes a tripping spring and a setting spring, coaxial with each other. Expansion of the setting spring compresses the tripping spring. The setting spring is compressed by an arrangement coaxial with the springs including a reversible electric motor.

Abstract: A conductor bar for a metal-clad high voltage electrical apparatus, the bar including a metal tubular cylinder of diameter (D) provided at at least one of its ends with a connection flange for connection to an insulator. Between an end and the flange, the bar presents a cylindrical portion of diameter (d) less than (D) and connected to the cylinder via a transition portion formed by a conical annulus. The transition portion is provided with at least one slot forming a current path that extends transversely relative to the bar.

Abstract: The demultiplexer comprises a diffraction space defined by a reception surface coupled to a grating. In order to obtain output waves of flattened spectral response, the input waveguide and the reception surface are dimensioned so that the input wave diffracts over said surface and presents a plurality of secondary lobes. The demultiplexer is particularly applicable to optical communications systems with wavelength multiplexing.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a surface emitting semiconductor layer, to achieve good electrical confinement and good flatness of the mirrors delimiting the resonant cavity of the laser, an electrical confinement layer is made by growing a localized aluminum alloy layer on the active layer, except for an opening area on top of which the mirror is to be formed. After epitaxial regrowth, the alloy layer is oxidized laterally. Applications include the fabrication of semiconductor lasers on III-V substrates such as InP and GaAs.