Abstract: A chopper control apparatus including a measurement device which measures the mean value of an output magnitude of the chopper, and a regulator which controls the supply of control square-waves for the chopper on the basis of measurement results supplied by the measurement device and a reference magnitude, so as to make the mean value equal to the reference magnitude. The measurement device includes a device which generates a sampling signal having pulses whose positions, relative to the control square-waves, are determined so that the pulses coincide with the output magnitude passing through its mean value. The measurement device further includes a sampling device which samples the output magnitude based on the sampling signal.

Abstract: An electrical connection system is implemented while storage units are being loaded onto a transportation bed 2 or while they are being unloaded therefrom. The system includes an electrical connection constituted by at least one male-type connector 4, 5 and by at least one female-type connector 5, 4, one of the connectors being fixed to the transportation bed 2 or to the storage unit 1, the other connector being driven by a positioning element 6 fixed to the storage unit 1 or to the transportation bed 2, respectively. A control system fixed to the storage unit 1 or to the transportation bed 2 includes a time-delay piston 8 or equivalent time-delay element enabling the positioning element to be controlled.

Abstract: A cooling device for power electrical components which have electrodes includes a heatsink including a circuit in which a cooling fluid can flow and having a first side for exchange of heat with the component to be cooled. An electrically insulative and good heat conductor material plate is disposed between the first side of the heatsink and a first side of an electrical connection. A second side of this electrical connection makes thermal and electrical contact with one electrode of a component. The heatsink and the electrical connection are mechanically joined so that the device forms a compact assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of centering steerable axles of a bogie, wherein, on going into a curve in the track, at least one of the axles is steered towards the center of the curve, and wherein each wheel is positioned transversely relative to the track so that each of the wheels is at the same distance from its rail.

Abstract: The invention concerns an impact-absorber device comprising at least one mechanical member absorbing by deformation the energy generated by an impact in a given direction, wherein said member is made from thin plate, having a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of impact in the shape of at least two triangles each having a common vertex. Applications to rail vehicles, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a braking system for a rail vehicle, the braking system having at least one braking assembly mounted on an axle of the vehicle, and a friction disk and pads, at least the friction disk being made of a composite material based on carbon, the friction disk being keyed to the axle, the pads being disposed on stators housed in elements flanking the disk. The flanking elements are supported by the vehicle or a bogie corresponding to the axle, and the stators for the pads are actuated by actuators, the flanking elements being supported by the vehicle or by the bogie via a hinge member allowing for track distortion and play. A return member connects the elements to the vehicle or to the bogie.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for eliminating sudden changes of pressure in a ventilated or air-conditioned vehicle, the device comprising: a detector for detecting changes in the pressure outside the vehicle and delivering signals representative of said changes; closure means for closing an outside air suction duct and an inside air rejection duct; a control unit receiving the signals from the detector and controlling closure of the ducts above a first determined rate of change in outside pressure, said unit also controlling re-opening of the ducts after said change in outside pressure has fallen below a second determined rate; and means for balancing the inside pressure and the outside pressure by a controlled flow of air between the outside and the inside of the vehicle, said means constraining the pressure inside the vehicle to change as a function of time at less than a set rate.

Abstract: A rail vehicle body is made of stainless steel, wherein: the length members of the chassis and the roof battens are made of stainless steel, are constituted by section members that are continuous along the entire length of the body, and are visible; and the covering of the side faces comprises sheets of stainless steel that are smooth and thin relative to the thickness of said section members, the sheets being fixed by continuous leak-proof welding to the edges of the length members and to the roof battens so that the area of said metal sheets is as small as possible. The elements of the strength-providing structure are assembled together by weld fillets, and likewise the metal sheets are assembled to said strength-providing structure by weld fillets.

Abstract: Access to a rail vehicle is effected by a board that is movable between a retracted position in which it is housed beneath the top face of the floor of the vehicle and an extended position in which it constitutes an access ramp between a platform and an entrance doorsill of the vehicle. The device includes an actuator for driving the board and a stop terminating translation of the board in its extended position. The actuator is disposed in the plane of the board. The device also tilts the board after stopping the board's movement in translation so that the outside end of the board rests on the platform and so that the board co-operates with the entrance doorsill to provide a continuous surface without any offset. The entrance doorsill remains stationary.

Abstract: A baggage rack under flap for the passenger space of a rail vehicle including a plurality of flaps placed end to end, the baggage rack being supported by brackets, the flap being longitudinally hinged to be capable of tilting and to give access to the portion situated beneath the baggage rack, the flap being held in a closed position by locking, the flap being made up of at least two longitudinal elements, each element being hinged along one of its longitudinal edges by a hinge, the other longitudinal edge of said element being fitted with locking means, the hinge being adjustable in position relative to the brackets to enable the flaps to be aligned.