Abstract: Suspension assembly consisting of a bearing structure capable of being fixed to the chassis of a vehicle. The structure holds the composite leaf spring in position to the ends of which the wheel supports are fixed. The supports are connected to the structure by the wishbones and the shock absorbers. Different positions of the composite leaf spring, wishbones and shock absorbers are described.

Abstract: The diameter of a running elongate object such as an optical fiber is measured by means of two opto-electronic systems. The systems have optical axes which are perpendicular to each other and to the running axis of the object. Each of the systems further includes a microscope lens for forming a blurred image of the object on a strip of photodetectors. The systems combine their images in an apparatus which calculates an accurate position of each edge of the object by interpolation.

Abstract: The invention can be used to determine the color to be given to a dental prosthesis, for example, on the basis of color measurements performed on adjacent teeth in the mouth of the patient. An optical fiber instrument picks up light reflected from a tooth and transmits it to the inlet of a spectrocolorimeter which associated with a microprocessor in order to determine the diffuse spectral reflectance of the tooth and to calculate the tristimulus values of its apparent color under various different types of illumination. The invention is particularly suitable for determining the color of dental prostheses.

Abstract: The optoelectronic method and system provides for remote detection of physical magnitudes by multiplexing and demultiplexing signals from a plurality of sensors. The system utilizes a single source of incoherent light which illuminates via optical fibers a plurality of sensors associated with encoding devices. Periodic modulation on the light transmitted by each sensor is accomplished at a frequency which is characteristic of the sensor in question. Demultiplexing is provided for demodulating the signals from the various sensors by a Fourier transform, and for identifying each signal by its characteristic modulation frequency.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the geometry of a mechanical structure comprising a plurality of interconnected rigid elements by means of an optical skeleton (A, B, C) constituted by a light beam (24) running along the elements (10, 12, 14) of the structure, together with photodetector means (28, 32, 36, 40, 42, 46) which are associated with the elements of the structure and towards which fractions of the light beam (24) are directed. The invention is applicable to moving structures such as robots or manipulator arms, as well as to fixed structures.

Abstract: The supervision system comprises an electrical line for the transmission of digital data, at least one perfusion set including a flow meter and a module for encoding and for transmission in digital form on the line of the data concerning the instantaneous flowrate which are supplied by the flow meter, and a central unit for the processing of the said data, which central unit is connected to the said line by means of a decoding module. The central unit comprises at least one display screen, on which the quantities representing the condition of the perfusion set are displayed in analog and alphanumeric form. Application to the supervision of perfusions in a hospital environment.

Abstract: Mounting device for a resilient leaf made of a composite material working in flexure having in its vertical plane of symmetry and over at least a part of its length, a thickness increasing towards one of its ends, and in its horizontal plane, a width decreasing towards the same end, the thicker end having an opening capable of cooperating with mounting means, comprising at least one loop (3) formed at the thick end of the leaf and at least one supporting member (12) having an at least partially cylindrical supporting surface (6, 7) cooperating with at least a part of the faces of the loop, the generatrices of the supporting surfaces being parallel to the axis of the loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrometer/colorimeter apparatus comprising an opto-electronic card (12) with the essential components of the apparatus mounted thereon, and in particular a spectrometer (14) having an inlet slot (16) and a strip (18) of photodetectors (20), and two optical fiber measurement paths (28) and two calibration paths (26), with the ends of the optical fibers being superposed in the inlet slot (16) of the spectrometer. The apparatus is particularly intended for use in an industrial environment.

Abstract: The machine comprises a plurality of series-connected compression stages, incorporating at least two different types of compressor. The inlet stages of the machine are constituted by centrifugal compressors (C1, C2) and the outlet stages are constituted by peripheral compressors (P.sub.n-1, P.sub.n), with the compressors being driven by a single drive shaft (30) and being lodged in a single housing (24, 26, 28). The machine is particularly intended for delivering a few hundreds to several tens of thousands of m.sup.3 of carbon dioxide gas per hour at a pressure of about 150 bars to about 300 bars.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding flexible sheet material for forming a three-dimensional assembly including a drive device and an edge position detector. The drive device includes a spherical drive wheel moving about two perpendicular axes. A drive roller controls the rotation of the wheel in a vertical plane and a shaft controls its rotation in a horizontal plane. The apparatus provides for measurement of angular position and for control of rotation at the end of the shaft which carries the spindle of the drive wheel. The edge position detector is formed from a strip of photoelectric diodes, a light source, and electronic dircuits providing a control signal for the drive device.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising one suction chamber opposite the upper surface of the sheet material and at least at the entry point and at the exit point. The spray bars (7 to 9) are arranged between two adjacent suction chambers (3, 4; 4, 5; 5, 6). The chambers are arranged above the droplet deflection zone which is limited by the flaps mounted on the edges of the chamber opening.Spray bars are also provided opposite the lower surface of the material.

Abstract: Method and device for displacing the laser beam on a part by means of a reflexion mirror (20) and focussing lenses (24, 26). A small amplitude motion of the mirror (20) with respect to perpendicular rotational axes crosses at its center is superposed to the motion of the part with respect to the mirror (20) - lenses (24, 26) assembly. The invention applies particularly to the control of the displacement of laser beams used for cutting, marking, and welding parts.

Abstract: The suspension device comprises at least one suspension element formed by an elastically yieldable leaf between two rigid end portions, and four bearing means symmetrically disposed in pairs relative to the transverse axis of symmetry of the leaf on each of the sides of the suspension element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for measuring, e.g. the viscosity of a fluid, by means of a rotating cylinder immersed in the fluid and on the basis of a torque applied to the cylinder and the cylinder's speed of rotation. The rotary cylinder (50) is completely immersed in the fluid contained in a tube (40) which is itself placed inside a constant temperature jacket (38) and is rotated by a rotating electromagnetic field produced by an induction winding (64) coaxially surrounding the tube and the cylinder and powered with alternating current at an adjustable predetermined intensity. The invention is applicable to measuring the viscosity of biological fluids, such as blood.

Abstract: A mixer-ejector with jet effect incorporates inductor nozzles opening into a venturi profile conduit having in succession a highly convergent suction sleeve, a coupling wall and a diffuser. The coupling wall is a variable-profile venturi part, consisting of a hollow sleeve made of a distortable elastic material in a casing with leaktight sealing and incorporates means for introducing a fluid into the enclosure formed by the sleeve and the casing.

Abstract: A suspension consisting of an elastic leaf (17) made of a composite material, having in its plane of vertical symmetry a height which increases towards the end or ends supporting the wheels. The leaf is fixed to the chassis (21) at two points (22) which are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The leaf may be mounted longitudinally or transversely.The leaf may consist of fibers extending longitudinally, without being cut, from one end to the other, embedded in an appropriate binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to external combustion engines and more precisely to motors using the Stirling cycle designed to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy.In accordance with the invention, this transformation is carried out inside a machine which is completely sealed, without a mechanical connection with the outside, in which the power piston drives the moveable part of an electrical generator. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, this electrical generator is a linear alternator. In accordance with a further original feature of the invention, control of the coupling between the displacing piston and the power piston is carried out by using electronic regulation.

Abstract: Centrifuge comprising two drums (1,2) having coaxial horizontal axes. The inner drum carries a set of dishes (33) and, on the periphery, a scraper screw (36). A sludge chamber (23) is provided at one end of the outer drum (2) and, by way of passages (28) adapted to be closed by a discharge device, is in communication with the outside.The centrifuge is provided with a double energy recuperation device comprising a centripetal wheel (38) and a ring (40) of ejectors fastened to the inner drum, together with blading (42) fixed opposite the ejectors.The ejectors (42) are so directed that the absolute speed of the fluid leaving the centrifuge is low.The discharge device comprises an overflow (26) continuously fed in order to hold, by pressure, a movable plate (19) in the closed position in front of the passages (28).

Abstract: Compact gas-liquid separator comprising a cylindrical separation chamber including an inlet head and a degasifying vessel. The inlet head comprises an inlet tube supporting a nozzle positioned adjacent to the inner wall of a cover situated within the axis of the separation chamber. The cover includes a cylindrical portion closed by a convex cap and extends toward the bottom by a skirt closing the degasifying vessel and having openings. Within the axis of the nozzle the cylindrical portion has an opening of a diameter greater than that of the nozzle and is spaced from the nozzle. The cover includes a deflector having a central opening and being inclined with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion of the cover and disposed within the axis of the nozzle. An outlet tube for the gas is positioned in the inlet head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for extracting packing rings from a stuffing-box, for example in a pump, a compressor or a valve.An object of the invention is to allow easy and quick extraction of the rings even when the access to the rings is not convenient.After opening the stuffing-box, a nozzle 39 of reduced dimension, carried by an arm 38 linked to a high pressure water supply, the pressure being of the order of 800 bars, is located above the first ring 32, approximately at the middle of its width; the arm is maintained by a fastening means 42 to the yoke of the valve. The water jet bores a hole in at least the first ring, which eliminates its internal mechanical stress and the water flowing through the hole is pushed back by the next ring, and lifts the first ring out of its housing.