Abstract: The invention concerns a nickel free stainless steel alloy having a ferritic and magnetic structure, characterised in that it contains at least 0.4% in weight of nitrogen, and at most 0.5% in weight of nickel, the remainder being formed of iron and the inevitable impurities. The invention also concerns an external part for a watch made of such a steel alloy.

Abstract: The invention concerns a collective manufacturing method for a plurality of individual electro-optical cells each formed of two outer substrates and one intermediate substrate inserted between the outer substrates. The substrates are connected to each other by a sealing frame to form two cavities receiving liquid crystals. This method includes a step consisting in making a zone of least mechanical resistance along the contour of each individual double cell in the intermediate plate in order to facilitate the division of the batch into individual cells during the step of dividing the batch by scribing and breaking the outer substrates.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of electro-optic cells is disclosed, in particular for manufacturing liquid crystal display cells (2) or photovoltaic cells, each cell including a cavity (5) filled with a liquid and defined by sealed partitions (8, 9) between two plates (3, 4), in particular made of glass, provided with electrodes within the cavity. In a first step, a batch of cells (2) is manufactured, whose cavities are filled with the desired liquid and sealed. In a second step, the external contour (20) of each cell is cut, and if necessary a hole (10) passing through the cell, by means of a very high pressure water jet (30), the water either being loaded or not with an abrasive agent. Thus, the external layers (25, 26) such as a polarizer and a reflector may be applied onto the batch prior to the cutting step.

Abstract: A dial, in particular for a timepiece, formed of at least one regenerating photoelectrochemical type solar cell including a first substrate intended to be exposed to the light and a second substrate carrying on their opposite faces electrodes between which is arranged a physico-chemical system capable of absorbing light and generating an electric voltage across the terminals of said electrodes, characterised in that said first substrate is formed of a translucent material.

Abstract: Watch with visual and touch horometric functions, including:a case (1) sealed by a crystal (4) arranged above an analogue dial (5) surrounded by a fixed bezel (8)a time-keeping circuit (10), a stepping motor (11);a non-acoustic vibration generating device (20);a power source (24) supplying the circuit (10), the motor (11) and the vibration generating device (20);twelve sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) facing the twelve time positions and a control element (9);an electronic coding circuit (25) associated with the circuit (10), the sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) and the control device (9) to control the vibration generating device (20);wherein the bezel (8) has twelve projections (R.sub.1 to R.sub.12) being arranged between the twelve sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) which extend radially beyond the bezel (8) and the case (1), said projections (R.sub.1 to R.sub.12) to guide a user's finger towards a determined sensor.

Abstract: Magnetic microswitch able to be actuated by a magnetic field, including two strips (1, 2) each including a distal portion (5, 5') whose overlap forms an air gap of distance e, at least one of said strips (1) made of magnetic material having one end (3) attached to the substrate via a foot (9), a median portion (4) and a distal portion (5) of length L.sub.o, said strip being flexible with respect to the second strip (2). The median portion (4) of the flexible strip (1) is formed with a total cross-section less than that of the distal portion (5) so as to have a lesser bending resistance allowing the strip to have both deflection of an amplitude at least equal to e to make contact under the influence of a magnetic field and sufficient return force towards the open position in the absence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a continuous rotation miniature motor including a rotor carrying permanent magnets and a stator carrying at least one coil in which an alternating induced voltage is generated when the rotor rotates, this method consisting in maintaining the rotation of said rotor by successive pulses (102) supplied, in respective half periods of the induced voltage (U.sub.i), before the induced voltage reaches a maximum absolute value in each of these half periods. In particular, the time interval (t.sub.1) between a passage through zero of the induced voltage and the beginning of a maintenance pulse (102), provided in the half period following said passage through zero, is constant.

Abstract: A timepiece comprising a generator (1) for generating a supply voltage of a first predetermined value U.sub.1, a barrel with a spring (5, 6), a winding mechanism (5') and a set of hands (7 to 9). The electronic circuit (11, 12) of the timepiece requires a minimum limited supply voltage having a second predetermined value U.sub.2. This circuit comprises a timebase (12) and a regulating circuit (11) for regulating the rotational speed of the generator. According to the invention, a voltage regulator (25) is connected between the generator and said electronic circuit for adjusting its output voltage to said limited second value U.sub.2. The ratio between the absolute value U.sub.1 of the predetermined first value U.sub.1 and the second predetermined value satisfies the relationship U.sub.1 =k.multidot.U.sub.2, k being a factor corresponding at least to the maximum expected variation rate of the absolute value U.sub.1 when the timepiece is worn.

Abstract: A case (2) in which an acoustic transducer (22) is mounted so as to communicate in a watertight manner with the exterior of the case (2) via acoustic energy.The transducer (22) is attached to a membrane (17) separating it in a watertight manner from an inlet cavity (10, 11) which is arranged in the case (2) and is in direct communication with the exterior. The membrane (17) is resiliently applied by its periphery onto a rest surface (12) arranged around the cavity separating the latter in a watertight manner from a deformation chamber (13) situated on the side of the membrane (17) opposite to the inlet cavity while being in communication with the interior of the case. The bottom (13a) of the deformation chamber (13) forms a support surface for said membrane (17) when external static pressure greater than a predetermined value is applied thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid crystal display device intended, in particular, to form a colour image display screen, of the type including: a first substrate which is transparent on a front side situated on the side of the viewer; and a second substrate arranged on a back side facing the first substrate and extending parallel to the latter. The first substrate is connected to the second substrate in order to delimit between them a cavity in which at least one film of liquid crystal is arranged. The liquid crystal has at least a first state in which it reflects the light of a range of wavelengths of a predetermined colour and at least a second state in which it is transparent. The surface of each substrate facing the other substrate includes electrodes to allow the liquid crystal to pass at least from the first state to the second state or conversely, by selective application of a control voltage to the electrodes.

Abstract: The batch manufacturing of laminated cells whose spacing is kept constant by means of spacers (11) of diameter d, comprises the steps of forming a first line on a substrate (1), with a hot melt adhesive material for the sealing frames (3) and junction portions (5) between the holes (6) of spacing e and a second line (7) closed at one end (8) to create a filling channel (9), said lines having a constant cross-section So and a height h; depositing the spacers (11) over the substrate (1) and close to the holes (6), destructible or deformable spacers (12) of diameter D such that h>D>d; sealing a second flat deformable substrate (2) with a reduced application of pressure above the holes (6); filling all the cells; exerting a second pressure equal to or greater than the first and heating the zones above the holes to a temperature equal to or greater than that of the hot melt adhesive material; and cutting out each cell.

Abstract: Illumination device for the dial (4) of a display device formed by a case (1) sealed by a crystal (8) arranged above the dial (4) and held by a fitting ring (9), said device including at least one light source (13, 33, 35, 43, 53) arranged in at least one recess arranged in at least one light guide (20, 30, 40, 50) positioned at the periphery of the dial (4), said guide having a polished internal surface (21) oriented towards the dial (4) and an external surface (22) held in a space delimited by the dial (4), the crystal (8) and the inner wall (10) of the fitting ring (9), characterised in that all or part of said external surface (22) of the guide is arranged to allow a progressive increase along the guide (20, 30, 40, 50) of the quantity of light diffused by said external wall gradually as one moves away from one of the light sources (13, 33, 35, 43, 53).

Abstract: In this booster, the voltage across the terminals of the photovoltaic power source (1) is regulated as a function of a reference voltage (V.sub.ref) which is chosen to be substantially equal to the voltage corresponding to the maximum value of the voltage-power curve of this source. The reference voltage generated in the reference generator (9) is compared to the voltage (V.sub.sc) of the source (1), the result is sampled and influences the duty cycle of a control signal (F.sub.c) applied to the switching transistor (7). The latter is responsible for chopping the current flowing from the source to the load (accumulator 6) through an inductor coil (4) and a diode (5).

Abstract: Data transmission system comprising a data transmitter (1) including:swept frame display means (2), anda generator of composite video signals (20, 22) to control the operation of said swept frame display means (2); anda portable information detection device (7) for receiving said transmitted data by said data transmitter (1).The data transmitter (1) further comprises means (23) for modulating at least one of the elementary signals constituting said composite video signals with the data to be transmitted, and said information detection device (7) further comprises any inductive antenna (44, 45) for detecting said modulated elementary signal.

Abstract: A device for charging a battery (11), comprising a photovoltaic cell power source (8) of which the output voltage (USC) is lower than the voltage (VDD) across the terminals of the battery. Said output voltage is raised by a voltage multiplier (26) controlled by a static unit (27) depending on the two respective voltage levels. The source may advantageously comprise a single cell (8). In a timepiece provided with said charging device, the static control unit (27) can also cut off the power supply to display means (13, 23) and time-keeping circuits (21, 22) when the voltage of the battery (11) is too low. The voltage multiplier may use the motor coil (13) of the display means or any other coil used in the timepiece.

Abstract: An oscillator, such as a ring oscillator, uses CMOS transistors. At least some of the transistors have forward biased, current limited source-tub junctions for lowering the threshold voltages of these transistors. This enables the oscillator to operate at very low supply voltages, and it may be used in an electronic timepiece powered by a single photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A detection device has a transducer (10) for emitting and receiving series of ultrasonic pulses. An integrator (23) integrates echo signals resulting from ultrasonic pulses within a time window so as to produce an integral value. A time-delay circuit (28) is used to control the instant of opening T1 of a time window and a control circuit (25) determines an average value of a number of n integral values and for loading the values of the opening a instant T1 into the time-delay circuit (28) so as to maintain the average value at a steady value. The control circuit (25) determines the average value by loading a first value of T1 in the time-delay circuit before the integration of the first x echo signal and a second value of T1 in the time-delay circuit before the integration of the second n-x echo signals.

Abstract: The timepiece (42) includes within the case (44) an electronic compass and a sighting device formed of two sighting marks (14, 15) arranged in the upper portion of the case (44) diametrically opposite each other and defining a reference axis of the case (44). The optical means formed by three light emitting diodes (54, 55, 56) are arranged on the surface of the case (44) in a peripheral region situated at six o'clock for warning or informing a user performing a sighting that the reference axis of the sighting device is aligned with a given azimuthal direction. In another embodiment, instead of the optical means, acoustic means or a buzzer are provided, capable of providing a vibration which is audible or perceptible by a user's body.

Abstract: The hands of the timepiece are connected to a barrel spring which also drives the rotor of a generator at a speed greater than a desired speed Vc. The electric energy supplied by the generator energizes a slaving circuit that includes a transistor which short-circuits the coil of the generator and thus brakes the rotor down to a speed less than the desired speed Vc when a comparator indicates that this rotor is ahead with respect to its theoretical angular position. A limiting circuit limits the duration of the braking action of the rotor to a fraction of the period of the a.c. voltage supplied by the generator. This arrangement ensures that the slaving circuit is adequately energized even if the rotor is substantially ahead.