Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell comprising on at least one of its faces at least one flute able to form with the surface of an adjacent electrode at least one gas distribution channel, wherein said distribution channel has a shape or geometry such that the liquid of the biphasic flow flowing in said channel may be moved away from said electrode surface. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such a bipolar plate and to a fuel cell comprising at least one of such bipolar plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a fully automatic transmission, of the type in which a management unit (20) controls the operation of the engine (10) as a function of torque demand information from a throttle pedal (24), and of the type in which the engine management can be modified as a function of information transmitted by a transmission (16) control unit (22) to the engine (10) management unit (20), characterized in that for certain phases of operation of the vehicle, the transmission (16) control unit (22) inhibits the action of the torque demand information, for which it substitutes an engine management command to which the management unit (20) is subordinated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a anti-noise device for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, fuel tank (1) comprising a baffle (10) located in the tank (1), characterised in that the baffle (10) is flexible, located substantially in the tank (1) upper half and substantially perpendicular to the preferred axis of the fuel volume movement in the tank (1), the baffle (10) dimensions in the direction transverse to that of the fuel volume preferred movement (2) being smaller than the spacing of the tank walls (4, 5) located opposite the baffle (10) ends, to enable the baffle (10) to be deformed in flexion during the fuel ebb and flow.

Abstract: A method for blocking and releasing gear ratios in a vehicle equipped with an automatic gear box. The process includes combined functions F1, F2, F3 in which F1 is a function for blocking a passage of a transmission ratio during a first time delay, F2 is a function for blocking passage of a ratio in response to an instability of a fuel throttle opening angle, and F3 is a function for blocking passage of a ratio in response to a deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: This system for characterizing a computer to control a wheel anti-lock device, incorporated in an onboard electronic system (1;) for a motor vehicle, using a remote coding device (6), the computer (2) comprising a data processing unit (4) associated with means (5) for storing said computer's operating data, is characterized in that a single logic device for controlling the wheel anti-lock device is loaded into the unit (4), in that the data storage means (5) include several sets of characteristic parameters (V1, V2, Vn) selectable for different vehicles, and in that the remote coding device (6) comprises means (7, 8) for recognizing the vehicle and means (7, 8) for characterizing the computer by associating with the logic device loaded in the unit, the set of parameters corresponding to the recognized vehicle.

Abstract: A method for controlling automatic transmission downshift phases. The method determines conditions in which the downshift passes from normal operating conditions based on predetermined passage laws to special downshift operating conditions, and senses the passage to the special operating conditions. On sensing the passage to the special operating conditions, downshifting is effectuated by passing from the current gear ratio to a lower gear ratio, and blocking the lower gear ratio until the special downshift operating conditions disappear.

Abstract: A device comprising a cylindrical sliding gate (3), transversely arranged relative to the air conduit(s) (2) in a bore (4) arranged in a cylinder head (1) movable between a first position closing (P2) the conduit (2) and a second position opening (P1) the conduit (2) by the action of an actuating arrangement (16, 14; 17; 18, 19).

Abstract: This device comprising a control member (2) actuatable by a user so as to govern the powering of the actuator, is characterized in that it comprises means (10) for estimating the movements of the control member (2), along a travel thereof between extreme positions of control of the actuator, and means (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) for analysing these movements so as to derive therefrom a cue for controlling means (17) for powering the actuator so as to supply the latter with a quantity of current corresponding to the movement of the control member, as determined by these means of analysis on the basis of a predetermined correspondence law (15) stored in the latter means and of means (16) for aggregating the successive movements of the actuator during its various controls, and updated after each new control of the actuator by these means of analysis, so as to slave the position of the actuator to the position of the control member.

Abstract: Device for automatically operating the lights of a motor vehicle, comprising a central information-processing unit (1) for controlling on/off switching of the lights (7) of the vehicle, connected at input to a sensor (3) which senses the brightness in the vehicle's surroundings, a sensor (4) for sensing the speed of travel of the vehicle and a time base (5). This information-processing unit (1) is designed to compare various items of information about the brightness wits various thresholds so as to trigger the switching on/off of the lights of the vehicle according to the brightness conditions that this vehicle encounters.

Abstract: A method for detecting slippery ground in a vehicle with automatic transmission includes detecting the instantaneous running conditions, with the aid of at least one parameter that represents the existence of slippery ground; on the basis of this detection, generating, by counting, a value that represents the change in running conditions as a function of time; comparing the value with reference conditions; as a function of the result of the said comparison, deciding whether or not the instantaneous running conditions correspond to slippery ground.

Abstract: This process for validating/invalidating a message (4) sent over a information transmission network between at least two stations connected to said network by means of a response in a communication frame, the message including at least one header field (5) sent by a first station and one data field (6) sent by a second station, is characterized in that the data field (6) includes an end of field marker (7) and a beginning of field marker (8), modified in a manner that respectively corresponds to the beginning and to the end of an operation to update the remainder of the data field (6) carried out by the station concerned, to enable the message (4) to be validated if the two markers correspond and to be invalidated if they do not agree.

Abstract: A pneumatic sphere includes a rigid envelope and a deformable flexible membrane disposed inside the envelope to define an upper chamber containing a gas and a lower chamber containing a liquid. In the upper chamber, a device associated with one of the envelope and the membrane punctures the membrane in response to an excessive pressure in the lower chamber, displacing the membrane to reduce the pressure in the lower chamber.

Abstract: A device for fixing a fuel injector (12) in an internal combustion engine cylinder head (1) whereon is set a camshaft bracket (4) top surface delimiting with this surface a chamber (8) containing valve-actuating mechanical members. The injector (12) passes through the camshaft bracket (4) and the cylinder head (1) supported on the base (18) of a recess (14) in the cylinder head by a fork (20) fixed by a screw (26) to the cylinder head (1). The fork (20) is arranged in the chamber (8) under a camshaft (6) extending perpendicular to said shaft (6) and comprises two branches (20a, 20b) which are supported on either side of the injector body (12), in useful fixing position, on two wings (21, 22) symmetrically arranged on the injector (12) body periphery.

Abstract: This device comprising a brightness sensor associated with analysis arrangement for controlling the operation of the member is characterized in that the analysis arrangement comprise arrangement (4) for periodically acquiring information about the instantaneous brightness at output from the sensor, arrangement (5) for calculating immediate brightness values by calculating the mean, over a first period of time, of the instantaneous brightness values, arrangement (6) for calculating immediate ambient brightness values by calculating the mean, over a second period of time, of the immediate brightness values, arrangement (7) for calculating natural ambient brightness values by calculating the mean of n first immediate ambient brightness values, over a third maximum period of time, and arrangement (8) for controlling the operation of the functional member on the basis of these natural ambient brightness values.

Abstract: The system controls a support (1) interposed between an engine (2) and the structure (3) of an automobile vehicle comprising a work chamber (7) and an expansion chamber (8) filled with liquid and interconnected by a passageway (9), in which the work chamber (7) is partly defined by an elastic movable wall (10) comprising a push member (11) with which cooperates a driving device (12) for applying to this partition wall movements in such manner as to produce in the chamber (7) pressure forces synchronous with the harmonics of the vibrations of the operation of the engine. The system is characterized in that the driving device comprises an electric motor (12) connected to the push member (11) by actuating means (16) actuating in accordance with a reciprocating linear motion, and the system comprises means (22) for controlling the electric motor (13) in speed and angular position by a signal of the operating cycle of the engine.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for fixing a fuel injector on an internal combustion engine cylinder head consisting of a part called bottom part (2a) for covering at least an engine cylinder and a part called top part (2b) defining with the other part a chamber (5) containing mechanical members for actuating valves. The injector (1) passes through these two parts and is supported on the base (8) of a well (4) of the bottom part (2a) by a flange (9) fixed to the cylinder head (13) with screws, and by means of a tubular piece (10) enclosing the injector body and resting on the projecting part of a lock ring (16) mounted in a peripheral groove (15) of the injector body. The invention is characterized in that, the flange (9) is rigidly integral with the tubular piece (10) fitted in a cylindrical recess (14) of the top part (2b).

Abstract: A gearbox with a transmission input shaft and an output shaft mounted parallel in a gearbox housing and includes several pairs of engaged pinions to shift in a corresponding number of forward transmission ratios. A reverse gear axle is mounted in the housing parallel to the input and output shafts, with two idler gears freely rotatable on the shaft, one gear engaging a fixed gear on the input shaft, the other engaging a fixed gear on the output shaft. A reverse synchronizing device is located between the two idler gears for engaging reverse gear ratio. The synchronizer includes a jaw clutching sleeve splined to one of the idler gears, and is slidable towards the other idler gear to actuate a synchronizing clutch. The clutch has radially inward facing champfered blockers which engage corresponding slots in the sleeve. A synchonization initiation device in the form of a snap ring is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising at least one system consisting of anode (1) and of cathode (2) electrodes, an electrolyte (3) located between both electrodes and distributors (10,11) in the shape of plates located on either side of this system in contact with the electrodes for distributing the reagents, discharging the reaction products and collecting the current, the distributors consisting of electrically conducting plates adapted to allow the reagents flowing from one inlet to an outlet to come in contact with the electrodes, wherein each distributor in the shape of plates (10,11) consists of at least one stack of foils of porous material (13) adapted to form an arrangement in which the reactive gas flows in series over the foils.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle incorporating a transmission equipped with an actuating logic performing the "shift-lock" and "key-lock" functions. The actuator (2) releasing the lever (1) from position P is actuated during a predetermined interval when the brake is applied and the key is in the post-ignition position and, upon expiration of this interval and following reapplication of pressure to the brake pedal (4) after a brief release of the brake pedal (4), the actuator (2) is instantaneously actuated. Similarly, the actuator (10) allowing removal of the key is actuated during a predetermined interval when the shift lever is in the position P. Upon expiration of this interval and following a return of the key to the "accessories" position following a brief movement of the key to the post-ignition position, the actuator is instantaneously actuated.

Abstract: Hydropneumatic accumulator of the type comprising a sphere having an internal cavity subdivided into two chambers, one chamber containing a gas and the other a liquid. The subdivision is accomplished by an elastic impermeable membrane for the gas and liquid, the membrane being formed and comprising a copolymeric impermeable film including OH groups, and being impermeable to gas, two layers between which the film is incorporated and including an elastic material of a copolymer having blocks of polyamides and blocks of polyethers and a rubber coating of elastic material positioned on at least one of the layers.