Abstract: In a method and a device for determining the optical transmission factor of a glass panel by identification transmits an incident electromagnetic radiation towards the glass panel and the intensity of the reflected radiation is detected and measured. The reflection coefficient of the panel is compared with reflection coefficient reference values representing the transmission factor of tinted glass reference panels to determine the optical transmission factor of the panel examined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit for shaping ripple in the armature current of a D.C. motor. The circuit includes a phase-locked loop (100). In addition, the circuit preferably includes a back-e.m.f. circuit (300) suitable for generating a signal proportional to the back-e.m.f. of the motor and for controlling the frequency of the phase-locked loop (100) on the basis of the signal obtained in this way and/or the back-e.m.f. circuit (300) suitable for generating a signal proportional to the back-e.m.f. of the motor, a voltage controlled oscillator (500) controlled by the signal proportional to the back-e.m.f., and a switched capacitor filter (400) controlled by the output of the oscillator (500), the filter being connected upstream from the phase-locked loop (100).

Abstract: A terminal block with grounding capabilities has a stamped plug of U configuration whose bight is adapted to be forced into an opening in a terminal carrier for grounding thereto and whose shanks engage in a conductive element within the body. The shanks extend continuously from the bight to connecting portions which engage in recesses in the conductive element in the body and one of the shanks has a nose reaching over and in form-locking relationship with this conductive element.

Abstract: An electric switch cooperating with a steering wheel shaft provided with a control cam for controlling change of direction indicators of a motor vehicle includes a support casing and a control lever pivotally mounted on the support casing about a first pivot axis and a reversing plate pivotally mounted on the support about a second axis parallel to the first pivot axis. The lever includes an indexing stud which cooperates with a notched surface on the support casing. The reversing plate is resiliently urged toward the steering wheel shaft and faces the control cam to move relative to the second axis away from the control cam. Drive structures are provided on the reversing plate for cooperation with the lever so that the reversing plate is pivoted about the second axis into a working position when the control lever is itself pivoted about the first axis into a working position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting the presence of extraneous substances in a medium in the vicinity of a wall separating two mediums.The device provides in the medium I illumination of a wall under a radiation corresponding to the transparency of the semi-transparency of the material of the wall on a reference illumination zone. Directional detectors permit covering of the reference illumination zone, the mean direction of the reception cone having with respect to the mean direction of the beam an inclination such that the intersection volume of the beam and of the reception cone is a minimum.Application to the aid of driving of automobiles or airplanes and the control of industrial chemical processes is disclosed.

Abstract: A transmission ring assembly adapted to be mounted between the steering column and the steering wheel an automobile vehicle provides an electrical connection between a control switch mounted on the steering wheel and a device controlled by the switch. It comprises a bush fixed to the steering column and a first series of conductive rings fastened to the bush. A base member is mechanically attached to the steering wheel and a second series of conductive rings fastened to the base member cooperate electrically with the rings of the first series. Each pair of contacts formed by respective rings from the first and second series is insulated from an adjacent pair of contacts. Each ring of the first or second series comprises two concentric annuli electrically and mechanically joined at at least two points on a common diameter. In this way the connection and drive/retention functions of each ring are made separate from its electrical contact function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device with a winding and pivoting elements, of the galvanometric or logometric type. According to the invention the display device comprises, rigid with its case, a support of electrically insulating material, which carries on the one hand at least one integrated circuit chip serving as a control circuit for the device, and on the other hand a series of strips of electrically conductive material, adapted for connecting the integrated circuit chip and at least one winding of the device and for receiving electrical control signals generated by external circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a damping device of the type comprising a housing (40) defining a sealed chamber (42) containing a viscous damping fluid such as silicone and receiving a blade capable of displacement relative to the housing. In accordance with the invention, the housing (40) and the blade (80) comprise respective series of fins (50, 51, 52, 53 and 90, 92, 94, and 96) which are interleaved. Thus, relative displacement of the blade inside the housing (40) is braked by a combination firstly of the controlled flow of fluid from one side of the blade to the other via interstices between the blade and the housing, and secondly by viscous friction between the interleaved fins. The invention also relates to a device for measuring the level of fuel in a motor vehicle fuel tank and including such a damping device.

Abstract: A portable screwdriver comprises a prime mover and, an apparatus formed as a couplable attachment, which contains the screwing tool on a drive shaft which can be connected to the prime mover. The apparatus carries a magazine receptacle for a strip-like screw magazine from which the screws are pressed under spring tension into an arcuate screw guide, where they are held between two retaining jaws until the screwing tool has taken them up and has released them for insertion purposes by swinging the retaining jaws apart. The apparatus is particularly suitable for self-tapping screws and has a narrow front cross-section, so that it can also be used at otherwise inaccessible points.The easily replaceable screw magazine comprises a plastic profile with screws guided parallel to one another and at right angles thereto. The screws can be constructed with plastic heads and jamming ribs provided on the heads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical switch of the type comprising a housing provided with a plurality of electrical contacts and carrying a control lever (300) capable of being displaced in rotation about its longitudinal axis (302) and about two transverse axes (210 and 220) in order to perform first, second, and third switching functions respectively when the lever rotates. According to the invention, the switch includes a ball (200) mounted to pivot inside the housing about the two transverse axes (210 and 220), with the ball (200) having a through channel (240) in which the lever (300) is received free to rotate abouts its longitudinal axis (302), the switch further including a clevis (400) mounted on the ball (200) to follow the ball when it pivots about the secondary axis (220) while allowing the ball (200) to pivot relative to the clevis (400) when the ball (200) is caused to pivot about the main axis (210).

Abstract: A display device comprising: a control member (10); a carriage (50) displaced along a predetermined path (A) by the control member (10); and a plurality of flaps (100) distributed at a constant pitch (p) along the path (A) of the carriage, with each flap (100) being equipped with a cam (120) suitable for engaging the carriage (50) in order to displace the associated flap (100) from a rest position to an operated position. According to the invention said cams (120) are positioned in predetermined different positions relative to the corresponding flaps (100) in order to define a predetermined relationship between carriage displacement and the successive instants at which the flaps (100) are moved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure switch comprising an insulating housing fitted with contact tabs and receiving moving contact members, a conductive washer, and a membrane subjected to pressure. The pressure switch includes two moving insulating members (15, 19), two contact members (16, 20), two associated springs (17, 21), and a pusher (14) which is conductive and in contact with the membrane. The fixed conductive washer (11) has a central hole through which a cylindrical projection provided on one of the insulating moving members (15) passes, with a rod on the pusher (14) sliding inside said cylindrical projection so that the insulating moving members (15, 19), the contact members (16, 20), and the associated springs (17, 21) are all disposed on the same side of the fixed conductive washer which therefore constitutes one end of the cavity (9) in the insulating housing.

Abstract: A bistable switch for use, in particular, as a headlamp dipswitch on a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (100) which receives a control crosshead (200) guided in translation (O) between a rest position and a working position, a toggle bar (300) extending in the direction of crosshead displacement and being pivotally mounted to the crosshead about an axis (302) extending transversely to the direction of crosshead translation, a contact carriage (400) capable of moving in a direction (Q) generally perpendicular to the direction (O) of crosshead displacement and to the pivot axis (302) of the toggle bar (300), the carriage being provided with at least one contact stud (450) and with two camming slopes (460, 470) provided on a common face of the carriage facing the toggle bar (300) in such a manner that the camming slopes (460, 470) are placed alternately opposite the toggle bar (300) depending on the position of the carriage in the housing.

Abstract: A mounting device for a fluorescent lamp includes a socket which is swingably supported in a socket holder for being movable between an inclined position and an operational position and is provided with a socket body and a locking member extending in axial direction rearwardly away from the connection of the lamp to the socket body. The socket holder has an opening through which the socket body projects with its locking member in order to encompass the respective inner surface of the opening in a pinless hinge-like member. For limiting the swiveling movement of the socket, the socket body is provided with a stop member which cooperates with the innerside of the holder.

Abstract: The electrical connector block comprises an insulating body and a plurality of conductor terminals mounted in it of which at least one is a protective conductor terminal. It is provided with an additional contacting member which passes through the base of the insulating body facing a connector block support and has at least one exterior plug which can directly make contact in a socket in the connector block support. The protective conductor plug can be mounted in the connector block during manufacture of the connector block or also subsequently to making the connector block without having to dismantle it. The structure and positioning of the protective conductor plug or plugs allows an easy automatic connection to the protective conductor by plugging the conector block into the connector block support.

Abstract: A level measuring probe for a liquid contained in a reservoir of the type having a detecting element constituted by a conductor having a high temperature coefficient and intended to be immersed in the liquid; and an electrical connection means intended to permit connection of the said detector element to a connector; a plurality of printed circuits disposed in respective parallel strips are provided on an insulating substrate, the assembly forming a flexible film and each circuit having a detecting zone and an electrical connection zone; the film is assembled to a support of, for example, stainless steel; the assembly is out at the edges of the parallel strips.

Abstract: The sensor comprises an elongate housing fixed in a liquid-containing casing, said housing having a V-shaped heat sensitive resistive wire disposed longitudinally therein and connectable to a feeder and processor circuit enabling the liquid level inside the casing to be monitored at any moment. The sensor includes means for positioning the heat sensitive wire (6) so as to ensure that there is a substantially constant gap between the two branches thereof, and also so as to ensure that the plane defined by the the wire remains in a substantially stable position relative to the housing. A resilient fastening member (11) is provided for fastening the point of the V-shape and for bearing against some of said positioning means. The invention is applicable, in particular, to monitoring the level of oil in the sump of the engine or the gearbox of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A packing element for use in an exchange column is provided. The packing element is of the type consisting of a plurality of corrugated plates placed adjacent to one another, with the corrugations of adjacent plates forming a criss-cross pattern. A plurality of regular linear arrays of "W"-shaped openings, alternating with linear arrays of "V"-shaped openings are formed in each plate. The locations of these openings or notches with respect to the corrugations are so arranged as to create liquid drip points and flow paths on the individual plates that improve the mixing and mass transfer characteristics of the packing element.

Abstract: A portable screwdriver comprises a prime mover and, an apparatus formed as a couplable attachment, which contains the screwing tool on a drive shaft which can be connected to the prime mover. The apparatus carries a magazine receptacle for a strip-like screw magazine from which the screws are pressed under spring tension into an arcuate screw guide, where they are held between two retaining jaws until the screwing tool has taken them up and has released them for insertion purposes by swinging the retaining jaws apart. The apparatus is particularly suitable for self-tapping screws and has a narrow front cross-section, so that it can also be used at otherwise inaccessible points.The easily replaceable screw magazine comprises a plastic profile with screws guided parallel to one another and at right angles on the heads. The screws can be constructed with plastic heads and jamming ribs provided thereon.