Abstract: A process is provided for drying products in divided form, particularly cereals, and an apparatus for implementing this process. This process is based on the principle of placing the material to be dried (cereal grains, food grains, food seeds, etc.) in suspension in a gaseous stream forming the hot drying fluid. In accordance with the invention, alternate steps are provided for drying and sweating the material during treatment, the sweating involving absence of drying fluid flow about the grains. An apparatus for implementing this process includes a casing with vertical axis in which is mounted at least one perforated horizontal plate supporting the fluidized bed, a blade being movable perpendicularly to the plate, two side hoppers with mobile bottoms being associated with each plate, a blade being mounted in each hopper.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor for detecting trace or impurity gases, the method comprising evaporating tin and/or tin oxides under a partial pressure of oxygen in order to condense vapor on an electrically insulating substrate to obtain a porous layer deposit therein. The metal or the metal oxides is/are evaporated under a flow of a mixture of gases containing both oxygen and an inert gas at a total pressure of not less than 100 pascals and with the partial pressure of the oxygen in the mixture being not more than 130 pascals.

Abstract: This material which has a hemi-cellulose content of less than 2%, a benzopyrene content of less than 2 .mu.g/kg and a calorific value which is about 20% greater than that of the starting material is obtained by isothermal treatment between 220.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. for a period of thirty minutes using crossed flows of treated material and of oxygen-free hot gases in an oven including stirring means (6,9) and a gas generator (1) with the gas being circulated by a fan (3).

Abstract: A method of determining the trajectory of a body (1) such as a vehicle body on a relatively plane path portion (2), the method being characterized in that it consists: in forming a main real image (4) of the path portion in a plane (19) at a non-zero angle (5) with the path portion; in decomposing said main image as formed into a plurality of points (21); in determining the relationship between the size of a unit length (30) taken substantially at the level of the path portion and the size of its image formed in the main image the size being a function of the number of points covered by the image and of the location of the unit length on said path portion; in determining a secondary image (32) in the main image, the secondary image corresponding to a longitudinal reference mark (31) related to the vehicle on the path portion; and in determining the various successive positions (32, 33, 34) of the secondary image by correlation of the number of points covered by the secondary image, given that the secondary im

Abstract: Monocrystalline alloy with a nickel base matrix without intentional addition of carbon, of boron or of zirconium, having a composition by weight: Co 0 to 10% - Cr 5 to 7% - Mo 1.5 to 2.5% - W 8.5 to 12.5% - Ta 0 to 6.5% - Al 5 to 7% - Nb 0 to 2% - Ni balance to 100. Furthermore, the summation of the atomic percentages 0.005 0.005 Xo+0.036 Cr+0.052 Mo+0.066 W+0.026 Al+0.116 Nb +0.049 Ta is less than one and the summation of the atomic percentages Ta+W+Mo+Nb lies between 5.9 and 6.3. The alloys having an elevated solidus temperature, in excess of 1325.degree. C., are particularly adapted to monocrystalline casting of the vanes of the turbine inlet nozzle array and having significantly improved properties of strength under conditions of thermal fatigue and oligocyclic fatigue.

Abstract: This material which has a hemi-cellulose content of less tha 2%, a benzopyrene content of less than 2 ug/kg and a calorific value which is about 20% greater than that of the starting material is obtained by isothermal treatment between 220.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. for a period of thirty minutes using crossed flows of treated material and of oxygen-free hot gases in an oven including stirring means (6,9) and a gas generator (1) with the gas being circulated by a fan (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal energy storage material, comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of at least one compound having, in a temperature range of between 0.degree. C. and 200.degree.0 C., a solid-solid phase transition having a variation in enthalpy at least equal to 50 J/g, with an organic binder selected from the group consisting of polyepoxyde resins and polyurethane resins, stable at the temperature of the phase transition.

Abstract: The transformation applies to images defined by pixels each presenting a characteristic, such as a brightness, defined by a digital value, with the pixels being distributed according to a matrix and their relations and distances established by a neighborhood graph. All or part of the image is explored according to a predetermined exploration mode and the value of each pixel is modified as a function of the values of a set of associated pixels, assuming their value in at least the image and being located inside a sliding window related to the pixel to be transformed, identical for all pixels and constituting a structuring element. The transformed version of each pixel is immediately substituted for the preceding value in an image memory. To implement the process, a device can be utilized having a morphological opening processor, an image memory and a morphological processor with rewrite processing.

Abstract: A method and an electronic circuit for measuring very weak signals at high voltage. The electronic circuit consists of a first portion (I) constituted by at least one amplifier (2) which is DC-connected directly to a source of weak signals. This amplifier is followed by at least one current amplifier (5). A second portion of the circuit (II) then transfers the amplified current signal from high potential to the ground potential of measuring apparatus by a series of transistors (12 to 14) followed by an output amplifier (22). An optional third portion (III) may be provided to sample the signal by an analog gate (25) suitably controlled from an external frequency source. This makes it possible in spectrometry to perform fast and accurate measurements on very weak signals at high potential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high molecular weight polyolefin part, particularly for an articular prosthesis and to its production process by shaping in a closed mould. This part, which has a friction surface, has a structure such that the polyolefin chains are oriented parallel to the friction surface, at least in the zone of the part located below or flush with said friction surface. This orientation is obtained during the shaping of the blank of the part in a closed mould having a metal belt, a hemispherical block and a mobile punch, as a result of the choice of shaping conditions, particularly the shaping temperature and the length/transverse dimension ratio of the blank.

Abstract: A method for the assembly and connection of bodies, massive parts or powder grains, of alloys comprising at least 50% of nickel, cobalt or iron, comprises a preliminary operation of deposition at the interface of the said bodies of a product of the type MBF.sub.x, x being equal to 3 or 4, M designating a radical of the type NH.sub.4 giving off when hot a gaseous component such as NH.sub.3 or a metallic element and a sequence of treatment of cleaning/activation by passage of the coated body at a temperature in excess of the temperature of sublimation of the said product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for contacting two immiscible liquids having at least one electrode for the application of an electric field.The electrode is coated with at least two layers of different insulating materials, the first layer which is in contact with the electrode being formed from a liquid insulating material, e.g. benzylneocaprate or transformer oil, while the outer layer is formed from a solid insulating material, e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene.These electrodes are preferably in the form of bars arranged parallel to the fluid flow direction and they are provided with deflectors to ensure that no dispersed phase flow in the form of a film takes place along the bars.

Abstract: A device is provided for taking samples of a pressurized gas or liquid product, comprising a first through flow duct for the product to be sampled, a second through flow duct for a carrier gas or liquid, a communication conduit between said two ducts and a controllable means for normally closing and temporarily opening said communication passage. For injecting and vaporizing a liquid in analysis circuit, the device further comprises means for heating at least the downstream part of said communication conduit, i.e. that by which this latter is connected to said second duct through which said carrier gas or liquid flows.

Abstract: A monocrystalline alloy with a high resistance to creep having a nickel base matrix, with a density of the order of 8.5 and having a percentage, by weight, composition as follows: Co 5 to 8%--Cr 6.5 to 10%--Mo 0.5 to 2.5%--W 5 to 9%--Ta 6 to 9%--Al 4.5 to 5.8%--Ti 1 to 2%--Nb 0 to 1.5%--C, Zr, and B each less than 100 ppm--Ni remainder to 100%. Furthermore, the summation Ta+Mo+1/2 W lies between 11.5% and 13.5% by weight, the atomic sum Ti+Al+Ta+Nb lies between 15.5% and 17%, the atomic sum Ta+Nb+Mo+1/2 W lies between 4% and 5.5%, the atomic sum Ti+Al+Ta+Nb+Mo+1/2 W lies between 17.5% and 19% and the atomic sum Ti+Al lies between 12.8% and 14.5%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting ligneous matter of vegetable origin by torrefaction, and to the product obtained. Wood or any other ligneous matter is subjected in a neutral atmosphere to a treatment of torrefaction at a temperature of between 200.degree. and 280.degree. C., and preferably between 240.degree. and 260.degree. C. for a duration of 30 mins. to 5 hours. The product of the invention is not fermentable, it has a specific mass close to 0.25 kg/dm.sup.3, a calorific power of at least about 5000 kcal/kg, a content of fixed carbon of 35 to 40% and can be broken up by hand; it may be used as fuel in boilers and in gas generators.

Abstract: A calibration system is provided for gas analyzers, and particularly for apparatus for measuring atmospheric pollution and for detecting gaseous pollutants. The device comprises a tight permeation chamber connected to a source of a gaseous pollutant or a plurality of chemically compatible gaseous pollutants, e.g., SO.sub.2, NO or CH.sub.4. A tube formed from a material which is permeable to the gaseous pollutant(s) extends across the chamber, one end of the tube being connected to a source of pressurized pure vector gas and the other end of the tube communicating with a mixer which is itself connected to a source of dilution zero air. Apparatus is also provided for regulating temperature to maintain a predetermined constant temperature within the permeation chamber.

Abstract: Rheometer for effecting measurement of rheological properties in a medium, comprising a hollow body (2) having an inner chamber (3) with a lower zone (3A) and an upper zone (3B) of enlarged diameter. An inner shaft (9) is located in the inner chamber (3) and is driven by a magnetic coupling (12A-13) through a cap (4) for hermetically sealing the hollow body (2). A rotor (18) is provided on the inner shaft (9) and is displaceable in a longitudinal direction between an upper position where it is located in the upper zone (3B) and a lower position where it is located in its position for measurement. A stirrer (10-11) is keyed to the lower part of the inner shaft (9) and is receivable within the rotor (18).

Abstract: Equipment (3) for centrifugal casting from a crucible (5) into a mold (8) is modified by the addition of agitation means (19) movable relative to the crucible (5) and a heating furnace (30) which is movable relative to the mold (8) in order to heat the latter, before casting, to a temperature close to that of the alloy in the thixotropic state.

Abstract: An enclosure (17) contains two ovens (18, 19) each containing a semiconductor metal oxide (SnO.sub.2 or NiO) sensor (13) previously activated using H.sub.2 S or SO.sub.2. The sensors (13) are heated to different temperatures the lower of which corresponds to a peak on the sensor conductivity curve characteristic of the gas. The signals produced are applied to a comparator (30). For many toxic gases this peak occurs at concentrations below their toxicity threshold in air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for boronizing pieces made of metal or cermet and to surface-boronized pieces. The pieces are placed in a chamber at between 850.degree. and 1,150.degree. C. and they are subjected, in the presence of boron carbide, to a gaseous stream of trifluoroboroxole (BOF).sub.3. The boron carbide is advantageously pulverulent and out of contact with the pieces to be boronized.