Abstract: A system for collecting particles having a suctioning device and a chamber for centrifugating and collecting particles. The centrifugation chamber having a guiding edge as well as an air inlet and an air outlet. The device having an assembly including an air suctioning conduit, a member including a guiding and receiving system, at least one guiding edge of the chamber, the member being mobile relative to the conduit between a first position, wherein the at least one guiding edge can be guided and received in the guiding and receiving system and a second position for collecting particles, where the air outlet of the chamber is applied on an end of the conduit.

Abstract: An image processing method using a first image sensor covering the visible range and a second sensor covering the infra-red range. The method includes a) acquiring a first image I1 of said given zone of space by means of the first image sensor, b) acquiring a second image I2 of said given zone of space by means of the second image sensor, c) performing a decomposition of the first image I1 so as to obtain at least one luminance image I1L, d) obtaining an image If resulting from digital fusion of the luminance image I1L and of the second image I2, e) adding colour information to the fusion image If or during the fusion stage d).

Abstract: A unit for grinding biological samples, comprising a grinding device including at least two tubes having different volumes, suitable for being mounted on a support of the grinding device, each tube comprising an inner space having a height (h) along the axis of the corresponding tube, and being intended to contain samples to be ground, means for driving the support in a precession movement, the support having an axis the position of which varies by describing a cone, each tube being subjected to a movement (d) defined by the projection, onto the axis of said cone, of the distance between the extreme positions of a same point of the tube during the precession movement.

Abstract: An image processing method using a first image sensor covering the visible range and a second sensor covering the infra-red range. The method includes a) acquiring a first image I1 of said given zone of space by means of the first image sensor, b) acquiring a second image I2 of said given zone of space by means of the second image sensor, c) performing a decomposition of the first image I1 so as to obtain at least one luminance image I1L, d) obtaining an image If resulting from digital fusion of the luminance image I1L and of the second image I2, e) adding colour information to the fusion image If or during the fusion stage d).

Abstract: A portable device for collecting particles and microorganisms is provided. The device includes a cyclone enclosure for centrifuging air, external air inlet for admitting air into the enclosure, and air outlet connected by a coupling to an air inlet filter of an individual motorized respiratory protection appliance.

Abstract: A unit for grinding biological samples, comprising a grinding device including at least two tubes having different volumes, suitable for being mounted on a support of the grinding device, each tube comprising an inner space having a height (h) along the axis of the corresponding tube, and being intended to contain samples to be ground, means for driving the support in a precession movement, the support having an axis the position of which varies by describing a cone, each tube being subjected to a movement (d) defined by the projection, onto the axis of said cone, of the distance between the extreme positions of a same point of the tube during the precession movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (7) for collecting particles and microorganisms present in ambient air, the device comprising a cyclone enclosure (8) for centrifuging air, the enclosure being of conical or frustoconical shape, external air inlet means (16) for admitting air into the enclosure (8), and air outlet means connected by coupling means (19, 20, 21) to air inlet filter means (4) of an individual motorized respiratory protection appliance (A).

Abstract: An appliance for rapidly vibrating test tubes containing samples to be ground up, the appliance comprising an electric motor (12) for driving rotation of a disk (16) that is provided with an eccentric pin (17), the appliance being characterized in that the test tubes (23) are perpendicular to the eccentric pin and are held by a clamp (21) mounted on a support (20) that is substantially parallel to the eccentric pin, being connected to a fixed baseplate via a Cardan type hinge (15) having two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation (X and Y), one of which axes (Y) is substantially parallel to the eccentric pin (17) and connects the support (20) to the other axis (X) of the hinge (15) that prevents the support (20) from moving in rotation about a perpendicular axis (Z). The support (20) is connected to the eccentric pin (17) by a link (19).

Abstract: A device for analyzing materials by plasma spectroscopy is of the portable and independent type, comprising a housing (10) containing a laser generator (18) that emits laser pulses that are focused on the surface of a material to be analyzed by means of a parabolic mirror (32) that is movable in translation inside the housing in order to perform a series of spot measurements along a scan line on the surface of the material to be analyzed and in order to take a measurement from a calibration sample (50) mounted in the measurement endpiece (22) of the housing (10).

Abstract: A device for collecting and separating particles and microorganisms present in ambient air, the device comprising suction means for sucking air into a removable centrifuging chamber (10) having an air inlet and outlet and forming a receptacle for transporting a liquid sample containing the collected particles and microorganisms, said enclosure (10) being selected from a set of enclosures having different diameters and suitable for enabling the same suction means to take samples at suction rates lying in the range about 100 liters per minute to about 2000 liters per minute.

Abstract: Method of quantifying an analyte in a liquid medium by means of magnetic particles functionalized by specific ligands of the analyte being quantified, consisting in applying a magnetic field to a liquid medium for a time period several times shorter than that of the reaction between the analyte being quantified and the ligands of the magnetic particles, in measuring the optical density of the liquid medium after applying the magnetic field, in repeating this cycle of applying the magnetic field and of measuring the optical density several times over the duration of the reaction between the analyte and the ligands, in calculating, by extrapolation, a limiting value for the optical density for an infinite magnetic field application time and in deducing therefrom the concentration of the analyte in the liquid medium.

Abstract: An remote optical gas detection device comprising a detection housing (30) connected to an electronic power supply unit and to a human-machine interface, this detection housing containing an infrared lens (46) for forming an image on an uncooled microbolometer matrix detector (50), a CCD or CMOS-type camera (64) for observing the observed region under visible light, an assembly of electronic means (68) for controlling the detector and for acquiring and digitizing the infrared signals, as well as a processor (82) for processing these signals in order to detect a gas in the observed region and to determine the concentration thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding biological samples contained in tubes (12) carried by a turntable (10) driven with oscillating motion, the zone in which the tubes (12) oscillate being surrounded by cooling means (30) enabling the samples in the tubes (12) to be maintained at a desired low temperature, e.g. 4° C., while they are being ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding biological samples contained in tubes (12) carried by a turntable (10) driven with oscillating motion, the zone in which the tubes (12) oscillate being surrounded by cooling means (30) enabling the samples in the tubes (12) to be maintained at a desired low temperature, e.g. 4° C., while they are being ground.

Abstract: A device for collecting particles and microorganisms present in ambient air, the device comprising means for sucking air into a small volume enclosure in which the particles and microorganisms are separated from the sucked-in air by centrifuging, the device being portable, self-contained, and capable of being handled in one hand only, e.g. by means of a handle associated with the air suction means.

Abstract: A device for guiding a shaft in an oscillating movement about a center of rotation situated on the axis of the shaft comprises a ball-and-socket bearing and a ball bearing mounted one inside the other between the shaft and a fixed support. The ball-and-socket bearing comprises a ball-and-socket joint with an outer convex surface in a portion of a sphere forming the inner race of the bearing, and two rings of balls that are arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and two superposed outer races of the bearing and that are guided in semicylindrical annular slots or grooves of the races.

Abstract: A gas expansion silencer comprising an endpiece for being connected to a source of gas under pressure, and a low-pressure stage comprising two cylindrical portions respectively of smaller diameter and of larger diameter, the smaller-diameter portion being connected to the endpiece and the larger-diameter portion having gas outlet orifices, the low-pressure stage being entirely filled with a porous metal packing.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly vibrating tubes containing samples, e.g. biological samples, comprises a tube-support disk and concentric bearings for mounting the disk in a ring that is resiliently-suspended from a frame, the bearings comprising two rolling bearings mounted one within the other. The invention enables the tubes containing samples to be subjected to curvilinear reciprocating motion at high frequency.

Abstract: A gas expansion silencer comprising an endpiece for being connected to a source of gas under pressure, and a low-pressure stage comprising two cylindrical portions respectively of smaller diameter and of larger diameter, the smaller-diameter portion being connected to the endpiece and the larger-diameter portion having gas outlet orifices, the low-pressure stage being entirely filled with a porous metal packing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a remote-controlled flying machine, in particular for surveillance and inspection, capable of hovering and comprising a spherical open-worked resistant shroud integral with a cylindrical fairing wherein rotates a propeller powered by an engine housed in a fuselage secured to the fairing with radial arms and straightening vanes.