Abstract: A method of scheduling successive tasks subject only to timing constraints calculates for each task upper and lower limits of the interval in which execution of that task must start. It then constructs a first series in which all the tasks are scheduled in increasing order of their lower limit and a second series in which all the asks are scheduled in increasing order of their upper limit, before constructing an initial permutation by scheduling all the tasks in the order of the first series and verifying if the initial permutation satisfies all the constraints. If not all the constraints are satisfied, the method determines in the initial permutation the first ill-placed task for which a constraint is not satisfied and a candidate task in the second series immediately preceding the ill-placed task in the second series in the current permutation.

Abstract: To interconnect the screens (4, 29) of all the screened cables the box includes:a conductive enclosure (15, 19) forming a Faraday cage;a metal plate (5) with holes (7) for fixing each cable (1, 22, 18) using a self-locking tie (6, 20);and lugs (25) cut out from the plate and bent out of the plane of the plate to constitute crimping or soldering connection points for interconnecting the screens of the cables and connecting them to ground, either via a filter (11) connected to the conductive enclosure (15, 18) for high-frequency currents, or directly by a grounding wire.Applications include industrial computer networks.

Abstract: A method of operating a data processing system adapted for running two or more identical-data-receiving replicated tasks in parallel, in which method messages are transferred to the replicated tasks, each message including such data and a time stamp, the messages transferred to each replicated task being sequenced in chronological order so as to be processed by the replicated task in that order, and a stability time is determined for each message, which stability time defines the instant from which the replicated task may process the message, wherein the sequencing of the messages transferred to a replicated task is based on the message time stamps plus respective first time constants, and the stability times of the messages are determined on the basis of the message stamps plus respective second time constants.

Abstract: Each node (N1) of the network is connected to each of the subscriber sets (P1-1) that are associated with the node via a single optical fiber (FP1-1) on two different wavelengths. The node is connected to each of certain other nodes via a single fiber (FN1-2) on a single wavelength. In the node, the electrical signals are supplied by two optical receivers (2, 6) and are transmitted via amplifiers (8, 10) to a single transmitter (4). A passive directional coupler (22) and a wavelength separator (20) provide the necessary optical connections. Passive optical dividers (24, 26) form two interfaces with the sets and with the other nodes. The invention is applicable in particular to industrial transmission networks.

Abstract: The invention relates to an object-oriented software system having replicated objects and which makes it possible to control a monitoring/control installation of redundant architecture and comprising at least one first processor (1) and one second processor (1'). The software system (2) comprises software objects (3) intercommunicating by means of messages via a dynamic object messaging mechanism. A replica (2') of the software system (2) is contained in the second processor (1'). Certain objects (3) of the software system (2) are marked and the dynamic object messaging mechanism (5) includes monitoring means (51) for identifying an object message addressed to a marked object, and means (52) for passing on the contents of the object message, in the form of a network message, to the second processor (1'). In response to the network message, the dynamic object messaging mechanism (5') in the second processor (1') activates the replica (3') of the marked object (3).

Abstract: A method of transmitting data between a set of data processing nodes interconnected by a communications network. Each node broadcasts data to the other nodes by causing a train of such data to travel over the network around a looped circuit or "ring" passing through each of said nodes, each node in the ring having a predecessor and a successor. A counter is provided in the data train, and on receiving a data train sent by its predecessor, each node recovers the counter from the received data train, increments the counter, and dispatches to its successor a new data train including the counter as incremented. It also stores the new data train with the incremented counter in its memory so that it is possible to implement a simple fault recovery procedure in the event of one of the nodes becoming faulty.

Abstract: A power converter device for supplying direct current to an electric arc furnace comprises at least one transformer with its primary fed with a three-phase alternating current and delivering to at least one secondary a three-phase current applied to a rectifier system outputting to the load a rectified voltage and current. The rectifier system comprises controlled semiconductors for each secondary and a freewheel circuit. The controlled semiconductors are triggered with essentially variable firing angles, modified to increase the duration of conduction in the freewheel circuit whilst reducing the duration of conduction in the triggered semiconductors, and vice versa, so as to deliver to the load a substantially constant active power or reactive power despite variations in the impedance of the load.

Abstract: A disturbance-limiting circuit for regulation equipment connected to an actuator controlling a process in which the actuator is controlled from a reference generator unit (1) via a plurality of regulator modules (3A, 3B, . . . , 3N) having their outputs connected to a common point (UP) so that the control value provided to the actuator at said point corresponds to the mean value of the respectively-provided voltages. The circuit is constituted by a voting circuit comprising modules (4A, 4B, . . . , 4N) each inserted between the output of one of the regulator modules and a corresponding respective resistor (RA, RB, . . . , RN), connected to the common point (UP).

Abstract: A data communication field network has a plurality of subscribers connected to it in parallel which have a high input impedance as compared with the characteristic impedance of the network which comprises a main bus into which are inserted first drop and insert devices to constitute secondary buses each comprising two first branches. The connecting device comprises a cable assembly comprising at least two second drop and insert devices inserted into one of the first branches. Each second drop and insert device provides a tertiary bus comprising two second branches. Each tertiary bus is adapted to connect one subscriber and the second branches of the tertiary bus are interconnected at the subscriber connection so as to ensure continuity of the field network and to maintain impedance matching throughout the network.

Abstract: In order to move a piece of fabric (1) over a work table (2) using a gantry robot (4), a gripper (7) comprising a flat foam-covered plate is lowered on to the fabric by the robot shaft (6). It is found that the best control over the fabric is obtained by allowing the gripper to rest on the fabric solely under its own weight, i.e. it should not be pressed down by the robot shaft. A flexible coupling (8) allows the gripper to float, while preventing relative rotation between the robot shaft and the gripper. The coupling is mounted to be movable up and down relative to the shaft, and a coupling part (13) to which the gripper is attached can tilt along two horizontal axes. When the gripper is raised, compressed air is introduced into the coupling, causing parts (11,15) of the two coupling members (10,13) to make contact, so that the gripper is held rigidly in a horizontal position. It is held in that attitude while it is lowered on to the fabric, and the pressure is then released.

Abstract: An optical tapping coupler for a cable including at least one optical conductor (1) constituted by a step-index glass fiber which is covered by a plastic covering. First means (3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7, 8, 12) enable a determined position and a determined curvature to be given to a portion of each optical conductor of the cable, with each optical conductor being dissociated from the rest of the cable at the tapping location. Second means (21, 22) enable one end of each auxiliary optical conductor (30) to be mechanically brought against a respective cable optical conductor, with a small angle of incidence, in the region in which the cable conductor presents the determined curvature. Optical-index-matching third means are provided between the end of each auxiliary optical conductor and the cable optical conductor against which the end is positioned. The invention is used in particular for multi-station local network buses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railroad vehicle for measuring the parameters of a railroad track, characterized by the presence of third axles (13 and 23) with independent wheels and disposed between the main axles (11 and 12; 21 and 22) of the bogies (10 and 20) of the vehicle, and by the existence of a third bogie (30) having two axles (31 and 32) capable of undergoing relative angular displacement about a line passing through their centers, said third bogie (30) also having a third axle (39) with having independent wheels; the measurements are made by means of optical proximity meters and distance gauges.

Abstract: A connector for a shielded pair type cable with grounding drain conductor is designed to enable equipment to be connected in series by means of a shielded drop and insert cable to a shielded cable which comprises a pair of wires and an electromagnetic shield continuity drain conductor. The connector comprises a terminal block comprising a support member in which is accommodated a cutting device disposed between four connecting members each adapted to receive one wire of the drop and insert cable and one of the two wires of the cable. The terminal block is housed in an insulative material casing inside a Faraday cage connected to two grounding terminals accessible from outside the casing, one directly and the other via a capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a flexible sheet workpiece is disclosed. The apparatus includes workstations arranged in at least two parallel series. Each workstation is adapted to carry out at least one operation on the workpiece, which can then be transferred to the next workstation in the series or, if desired, from a workstation in one series to a workstation in an adjacent series across an interchange area between the two series.

Abstract: A connector endpiece for interconnecting two optical fibers end-to-end, the endpiece comprising a cylindrical body (1) provided with an axial bore (2) for receiving the end of one of the optical fibers to be connected (5), and having a polished plane front face for fixing in one half of the bore of a hollow connection sleeve (13) face-against-face with an identical connector endpiece housing the end of the other optical fiber (5A), the endpiece being characterized in that it further comprises a short optical element (7) of material having the same refractive index as that of the optical fibers to be interconnected, having a plane rear face (9) and having a front face presenting excellent surface state (8; 11), said element being disposed in the front portion of the bore of the endpiece in such a manner that the rear face of the element is close to the front end (6) of the corresponding optical fiber, and the front end of the element is flush with the polished plane front face (3) of the endpiece, a thin layer

Abstract: A connector block enables an electrical device to be put into series with a cable having two wires, a drain and a metal sheath covered with an insulating covering. The insulating covering and the metal sheath are removed from a length L of the cable, and the drain and the wires are put into place longitudinally on a support provided with insulating piercing contact pieces for fixing and connecting the wires to a take-off cable. A cutting device slides in a housing in the support and cuts each wire between two contact pieces.

Abstract: A matrix of multiplexed synchronous binary counters for an integrated circuit comprising a sequence of m counter cells (CC1, CCm) each provided with an individual data input link (Din.1, Din.m) and an individual data output link (Dout.1, Dout.m), and controlled by means of common links comprising a clock link (Clk) for synchronization, a load link (LOAD), and n select links (LS1 to LSn). Each counter cell (CC) includes n memory cells (CM1 CMn), each organized around a unique memory element (B1 to Bn) which is individually selectable by means of the select links (LS1 to LSn), which cells are connected in parallel between the individual data input link (Din) and the individual data output link (Dout) of the said counter cell (CC), and share a common loop memory element (BR) having its data input connected to the individual data ouput link of the counter cell under consideration (CC) via an incrementation circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a coaxial cable (3) and a connection module or for connecting coaxial cables end-to-end, in particular for a junction block. The connection device comprises a link tube (2) having one formed end formed to receive and hold one end of a coaxial cable whose covering is stripped so as to allow electrical contact to be made between the peripheral conductor (4) of the cable and the said formed end. The link tube also contains a fixed link conducting part (10) provided with a connection head (12) for receiving and holding the stripped central conductor of the cable, thereby ensuring electrical continuity between said central conductor and the link conducting part (10). The connection module comprises a link tube having both ends provided with respective connection devices.

Abstract: An input/output circuit for performing tests prior to controlling an electrical load (2) which is decoupled by a transformer (5). An input (E) thereto acts on a first switching member (6) connected in series with a primary winding of the transformer in a power supply circuit for said primary winding. An output (S) provides a signal on the basis of the voltage present across the terminals of an output resistor (7) connected in series with the primary winding of the transformer in the power supply circuit of said winding. A second switching member (3) is inserted in series with the load in a power supply circuit for said load, and is controlled from the input to the input/output circuit via the transformer and a rectifier circuit (10) connected to the terminals of a secondary winding of the transformer. An impedance-switching circuit (13, 16) is connected to the terminals of the second winding in order to act on the input/output circuit by changing the voltage across the terminals of its output resistor.

Abstract: In a sulfur hexafluoride high-tension circuit-breaker, a condenser/evaporator (8), disposed beneath and in communication with the inside of a support column, is partially filled with an insulating material (11), having at least one well (10) formed therein, with a heater element (9) being disposed inside the well, the surface of the insulating material (11) being connected to the bottom of the well via ducts (13, 14).