Patents Assigned to Alsthom
  • Patent number: 5933562
    Abstract: For use in digital optical telecommunication systems, optical semiconductor components are shown having a transition region for the expansion of the mode field of a light wave in order to reduce losses when coupling to an optical fiber or an optical waveguide of a supporting plate. An optical semiconductor component contains a deep ridged waveguide (RIDGE) with a cover layer (DS) disposed on a substrate (SUB.) The ridged waveguide (RIDGE) has a first (MQW) and second (BULK) waveguide cores, these being separated by a separating layer (SEP). The thickness of this separating layer increases in a transition region (UB1) along a longitudinal direction (L) of the ridged waveguide (RIDGE), thus increasing the vertical distance between the two waveguide centers (MQW, BULK).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventors: Kaspar Dutting, Edgar Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5930415
    Abstract: A gas-insulated cable includes a plurality of sections separated by sealed partitions, each section including a cylindrical steel case, a cylindrical aluminum screen coaxial with and inside the case and three conductors. A monitoring device includes, between the case and the screen, optical fibers equal in number to the number of sections of the cable and extending from one end to the other of the cable, each of the sections being monitored by a single fiber. The monitoring device further includes at least one optical internal arc detector inserted in series into each fiber in the corresponding monitored section, at each end of the device, a device for detecting light conveyed by the optical fibers, and at least one optical threshold temperature detector inserted in series into each fiber in the corresponding monitored section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventor: Van Doan Pham
  • Patent number: 5926513
    Abstract: A radio receiver for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals includes an analog down-converting and filtering section for down-converting and selecting the RF signals to an intermediate passband and a stopband which substantially determine the widest bandwidth of operation of the radio receiver. An analog-to-digital converter converts the intermediate frequency signal to a sampled digital signal. A digital filtering section, responsive to the sampled digital signal, includes wideband and narrowband digital filters for providing wide bandwidth and narrow bandwidth baseband quadrature output signals for the widest bandwidth of operation and a narrow bandwidth of operation at a frequency within a passband. The wideband digital filtering is designed to only provide a modest amount of additional stopband attenuation with a significantly sharper transition band rolloff from passband to stopband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventors: Edwin A. Suominen, Charles J. Voboril
  • Patent number: 5924743
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device adapted to be fixed and sealed to at least one cylindrical member (1, 1'), characterized in that it includes:a first sleeve (2),a second sleeve (3) coaxial with the first sleeve (2) having a greater capacity for deformation than the first sleeve (2) and fixed and sealed to the first sleeve (2) at both ends,at least two cylindrical rings (4, 5) coaxial with the second sleeve (3), pressed against the latter and each fixed by one edge to one end of the second sleeve (3), andmeans (6, 6') for injecting a pressurized fluid between the first sleeve (2) and the second sleeve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignees: Gec Alsthom Stein Industrie, Central Nuclearie Europeene, Electricite De France
    Inventors: Michel Bonmartin, Bruno Veyrat, Yann Wolff, Christian Bonnand
  • Patent number: 5926835
    Abstract: A method of isolating a memory location containing an obsolete value of a variable, in a shared memory of a computer, said location being referenced via a pointer for access in the context of a first transaction, a lock called a "hold" being placed on said location and being assigned to a single task, said hold preventing any other task from accessing said location. The method of the invention does not free the location containing the obsolete value, but it isolates it from transactions other than that transaction which possesses the first pointer. This allows the task owning the first pointer to continue to access said obsolete value. However, any transaction can access another value of the variable, without waiting, because the descriptor of said variable directs said transactions to a location which is freely accessible and contains said other value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale D'Electricite
    Inventors: Dominique Guidot, Franck Jouenne, Benoit Paul Dubois Taine
  • Patent number: 5926536
    Abstract: A requesting terminal signals a call request (CALL) to a control unit of a first communications network. The control unit then determines whether sufficient capacity is available in the first communications network to establish the connection requested by the call request. In the event of insufficient capacity, the control unit transmits an overload message (DAT) to the requesting terminal. It only initiates an alternative establishment of the requested connection via another, second communications network after it receives an acknowledge message (ACK) issued by the requesting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventors: Harald Orlamunder, Uwe Stahl
  • Patent number: 5923652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tying additional function modules into a control facility of a switching system and to a switching system. A switching system comprises a control facility (CONTR) provided with a plurality of basic function modules (APP1 to APP3, BP1 to BP4) which are mutually coupled to each other, for controlling the switching functions of the switching system. The basic function modules (APP1 to APP3, BP1 to BP4) are coupled to one or more access modules (ACC). The additional function modules (APP11 to APP23, KONVERT1, KONVERT2) access the basic function modules (APP1 to APP3, BP1 to BP4) only via the access modules (ACC), such that at any given time each of the access modules (ACC), depending on the accessing additional function module (APP11 to APP23, KONVERT1 , KONVERT2), provides the additional function modules (APP11 to APP23, KONVERT1, KONVERT2) with only one individual logical access interface (INT1 to INT4) to the basic function modules (APP1 to APP3, BP1 to BP4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventors: Detlef Daase, Karl-Heinz Legat, Irina Muller
  • Patent number: 5921185
    Abstract: A system enables two vehicles to tilt at different angles, wherein one of the vehicles includes a supporting end and the other vehicle includes a supported end, where the vehicle having the supporting end and the vehicle having the supported end are associated with a bogey. A supported ring is used with the supported end of the vehicle in such a manner that rotation is possible between the supported ring and the vehicle having the supported end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Transport SA
    Inventors: Christophe Hoyon, Jean-Claude Gaiguant, Michel Cros
  • Patent number: 5920419
    Abstract: In order to operate at high frequencies and at high optical powers without reducing the possible depth of modulation, a quantum well electro-optical modulator has a semiconductor structure of III-V elements including, in succession, an n doped layer, an undoped layer, a quantum well active layer and a p doped layer. Applications include optical transmission systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale D'Electricite
    Inventors: Christophe Starck, Dominique Lesterlin
  • Patent number: 5916397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an insulator made of a composite material and including a cylindrical casing provided with annular fins. The method includes the steps of manufacturing an epoxy resin cylinder provided with epoxy resin annular fins covering the resulting cylinder with a covering of a material that withstands the electrical potential gradient under atmospheric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Gec Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventor: Edmond Thuries
  • Patent number: 5917816
    Abstract: During data transmissions between a mobile radio network and a telecommunications network, in order to adapt the data signals to the protocols and modulation rates used by said networks, adaptation processors which perform so-called interworking functions are used which are either implemented in each mobile station of the mobile radio network, or which are implemented in a centralized interworking function that is connected to several mobile switching centers. A centralized interworking function (CIWF) is described for the simple construction of a mobile radio network, which contains different interworking functions (IWF1, . . . , IWFn) for adapting data transmissions between several mobile switching centers (MSC) and different data transmission nodes (MOD, PH, PAD, ISDN) of a telecommunications network (PSTN), and contains a controlled switching network (SWT) which selectively connects the different interworking functions to the mobile switching centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventor: Dieter Jacobsohn
  • Patent number: 5911023
    Abstract: Optical fiber cable components such as buffer tubes, filler rods, or jackets are produced using a thermoplastic polyolefin characterized by a high melt flow index. The use of material with a high melt flow index versus conventional "extrusion grade" materials which are characterized by a low melt flow index results in substantial improvements in buffer tube crystallinity and crystallization rates, improved buffer tube crush resistance, reduced post extrusion shrinkage, improved gel compatibility, and improved excess fiber length control. The advantages of using materials with a high melt flow index are most evident when processing thermoplastic materials such as nucleated copolymers of ethylene and propylene at high line speeds (shear rates) of over 50M/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventors: Brian G. Risch, James D. Holder
  • Patent number: 5910872
    Abstract: A method of discriminating an arc detected in metal-clad equipment includes detecting an arc, generating an arc-appearance signal, transmitting the arc-appearance signal to a computer, and determining a time lapse T. The time lapse T is determined according to the formula t.sub.o -t.sub.a ; t.sub.o is an instant at which the computer receives a circuit breaker trigger order, and t.sub.a is an instant at which the arc-appearance signal is first acquired by the computer. The arc is determined to be an internal arc (1) if the time lapse T is positive, or (2) if the time lapse T is negative and its absolute value is less than or equal to 10 ms. On the other hand, if the time lapse T is negative and its absolute value is greater than 10 ms, variation of the arc-appearance signal is analyzed to discriminate the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Gec Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventors: Jean Marmonier, Jean-Fran.cedilla.ois Penning
  • Patent number: 5910183
    Abstract: A stretch-forming machine of the type wherein a pair of opposed curving jaws grips opposing ends of a metal sheet to be stretch-formed in a curved configuration. Each of the jaws are formed of an array of adjacent grippers movable relative to each other by respective hydraulic cylinders to define a part of the curve of the jaw. The improvement to the stretch-forming machine which is the subject of this application comprises a closed-loop servo-control means for moving each one of the grippers into a predetermined position relative to each other. Each of the servo-control means comprises a hydraulic cylinder position controller carried by the hydraulic cylinder of the one gripper for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic cylinder responsive to stored data representing the desired predetermined position of one of the grippers. A motor is provided for actuating the position controller in response to the data received by the position controller to move the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Cyril Bath
    Inventors: Jesse Carl Ford, Larry Alexander Polen
  • Patent number: 5909489
    Abstract: When telecommunications systems with analog and digital circuit technology are interconnected, the two-wire/four-wire transitions are achieved with hybrid circuits in which mismatches cannot be avoided. They result in signal reflections in the form of interfering echoes which can considerably reduce speech intelligibility. The known methods of echo compensation for hands-free facilities are not suitable for compensating line echoes, since the signal level and the delay times of lines can be very different. A compander (3.7) is used to suppress the effect of line echoes, whose transmission characteristic, in addition to being controlled by a coupling factor between the transmit path and the receive path, and by a control signal determined by the noise level, is also controlled in the invention with the speech level that is received from the distant subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventors: Hans Jurgen Matt, Michael Walker
  • Patent number: 5906474
    Abstract: The invention relates to the design of a fixed-blade assembly in an axial flow steam turbine and is based on the recognition that the design of the interfacing region (fillets) between the radial ends of the blades and the end-blocks to which they are attached or of which they form a part has a significant effect on stage efficiency. The invention recognizes an optimum fillet radius in the range 0.15-0.3 of the throat dimension between the trailing edge of one blade and the suction surface of an adjacent blade, and more particularly 0.20-0.50. The fillet configuration is advantageously applied to a turbine having blades which are of constant cross-section, are curved in the radial (height) direction and are convex from root to tip on its pressure face, the result being a considerable gain in stage efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Limited
    Inventors: Brian Robert Haller, David Moreton Hall, Viccars Jeremy Andrews
  • Patent number: 5907228
    Abstract: In a method of regulating a rotating machine with n phases fed with alternating current by a voltage inverter including n SPmLL defining m.sup.n states V.sub.i (i.epsilon.{1, . . , m.sup.n }) of the stator phase voltage vector V.sub.s, the machine having an electromagnetic torque T.sub.em and a stator flux .phi..sub.S slaved to a commanded electromagnetic torque T.sub.emref and stator flux .phi..sub.Sref, for transient conditions in which the electromagnetic torque T.sub.em and/or the stator flux .phi..sub.S are respectively far away from the commanded electromagnetic torque T.sub.emref and/or stator flux .phi..sub.Sref, from all possible states V.sub.i of the stator phase voltage vector V.sub.s, the one is chosen which is optimal for causing the torque T.sub.em and the stator flux .phi..sub.S to converge towards the commanded torque T.sub.emref and stator flux .phi..sub.Sref ; and switching of the SPmLL corresponding to the chosen state of the phase voltage vector V.sub.s is commanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale D'Electricite
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Thomas, Serge Poullain, Olivier Bethoux, Guy Bornard
  • Patent number: 5905106
    Abstract: The composition is constituted by a mixture comprising a thermoplastic material, a hydrolysable silane compound, an elastomer, and a peroxide, said thermoplastic material and said silane compound carrying respective groups that react with each other. The composition including a filler containing superficial hydroxyl groups. The composition is suitable for sheathing electric cables and wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale D'Electricite
    Inventors: Madeleine Prigent, Alain Chaillie
  • Patent number: 5905896
    Abstract: A method for automatically changing software version in a computer system comprising a plurality of stations that are to execute in parallel a plurality of replicas of the same software. A series of successively messages, communication protocol, between a master station and each slave station required for initializing and making necessary preparations at each of the slave stations prior to the version-change actual issued. In this way, without human intervention, all of the stations ensure that do restart after receiving the version-change order do indeed all restart actually executing the new version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventor: Olivier Delannoy
  • Patent number: 5905524
    Abstract: Creation of a digital ISDN server for distribution and interactive services in video telephony, which can be used for a great number of video telephones including video telephones of different designs. Provision of video and audio signals with different formats and different transmission rates for different video telephones. Signalling of a terminal (TN1, . . . , TNp) is provided by the server for each requesting video telephone, where coded video and audio signals of different transmission rates and different formats are provided according to the design of the video telephone. These are available either in real time or are downloaded from corresponding storage media. In addition, an interactive control can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite
    Inventor: Peter Sauer