Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing a braking system architecture for an airplane fitted with brakes having electromechanical actuators, in which some of the actuators are connected to a battery assembly of the airplane and other actuators are not connected to the battery assembly of the airplane, which method comprises a step of controlling at least one of the actuators that is not connected to the battery assembly to cause it to exert a force equal to a unit holding force, which force is determined independently of any braking demand from the pilot. The invention also provides an architecture specially adapted to implement the method.

Abstract: A method for densification of porous by CVI in which substrates are loaded into a loading zone of an oven and heated to a temperature at which a desired matrix material is formed from a precursor gas(es). A reative gas containing the precursor gas(es) is admitted into the end of the oven and heated upstream from the loading zone of the substrates. The reactive gas is also preheated prior to entering the oven so that, upon entering the oven, it is brought to an intermediate temperature between ambient temperature and the temperature to which the substrates are heated. In this manner, a very small temperature gradient is obtained throughout the loading zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical brake comprising a stack of disks and at least one electromechanical actuator having a pusher for applying pressure to the stack of disks in controlled manner, the brake being equipped with a parking device for maintaining pressure on the disks at least while the brake is not fed with electrical current. In the invention, the parking device comprises a resilient member and a selector which is mounted to move between a first position in which the resilient member is mechanically decoupled from the pusher and is maintained in an elastically deformed state to form a potential energy reserve, and a second position in which the resilient member is mechanically coupled to the pusher so that the pusher exerts pressure on the stack of disks under drive from the resilient member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing the operation of a seat (10) fitted with an actuator (24) including means (42, 44) for monitoring at least one variable characteristic of the force produced by the actuator (24), means (41) for measuring the position of the actuator, and means (36) for controlling the actuator, the method comprising the steps consisting in: measuring the or each characteristic variable; evaluating the or each characteristic variable on the basis of a predetermined evaluation criterion; and while the actuator is in operation, implementing an appropriate action on the seat as a function of the result of said evaluation. Said evaluation comprises a step of measuring the position of the actuator. Said evaluation criterion for the or each measured characteristic variable as used for said evaluation depends on the position of the actuator.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle, includes a wheel rim (16) and a tire (18) defining a closed space (30) therebetween which is filled with a pressurized gas. The inventive wheel assembly also includes a pressurized-gas reservoir (40) and elements (50) for selectively connecting the pressurized-gas reservoir (40) to the closed space (30) defined between the wheel rim (16) and the tire (18). The pressurized-gas reservoir (40) is rotationally fixed to the wheel rim (16).

Abstract: A composite structure is formed by depositing a one or more coatings on an open-cell foam skeleton to form a higher-density composite foam. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the composite foam can be a carbon/carbon composite formed by a rapid densification process. The composite structure is suitable for use, for example, as a friction material employed in clutch and brake devices.

Abstract: A wheel arrangement includes a wheel having a sensor for measuring pressure in the tyre; a spindle, about which the wheel is rotatably mounted with the aid of bearings around the spindle, and of communication elements between the sensor and elements for using measures, which are associated with the spindle. Communication elements are adapted to a transmission system with a frequency higher than 50 kHz comprising a rotating antenna which is supported by the wheel and a fixed antenna. The two antennae do not have their own rotational guiding element. The antennae are generally annular and disposed in a concentric manner on the same level around the wheel axis (X-X) of rotation, the average radial distance between the antennae exceeding 2 mm.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling an electromechanical aircraft brake comprising a stack of disks and a ring carrying a plurality of electromechanical actuators each fitted with a pusher that is movable in register with the stack of disks under drive from an associated electric motor so that rotation of the motor in a first direction causes the pusher to be pressed against the stack of disks. According to the invention, the method comprises the step of causing at least one motor to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction so as to cause the corresponding pusher to reverse beyond a distance corresponding to normal operating clearance between the pusher and the stack of disks.

Abstract: A latch device, in particular for latching an airplane landing gear or an airplane landing gear hatch, the device comprising a box containing a set of hinged elements mounted to pivot about respective parallel axes, said assembly including at least one hook and a locking lever connected to said hook by an associated elastically deformable return device, said hook being capable of being unlocked by acting on said locking lever either via first actuator device in a normal mode of operation, or via a second actuator device in an emergency mode of operation when said first actuator device fails to unlock the hook.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latch device, in particular for latching an airplane landing gear or an airplane landing gear hatch, the device comprising a box containing a set of hinged elements mounted to pivot about respective parallel axes, said assembly including at least one hook and a locking lever connected to said hook by associated elastically deformable return means, said hook being capable of being unlocked by acting on said locking lever either via first actuator means in a normal mode of operation, or via a second actuator means in an emergency mode of operation when said first actuator means fails to unlock the hook. In accordance with the invention, the first actuator means associated with the normal mode of operation is a low power electromechanical actuator under independent electrical control.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical brake comprising a stack of disks and at least one electromechanical actuator having a pusher for applying pressure to the stack of disks in controlled manner, the brake being equipped with a parking device for maintaining pressure on the disks at least while the brake is not fed with electrical current. In the invention, the parking device comprises a resilient member and a selector which is mounted to move between a first position in which the resilient member is mechanically decoupled from the pusher and is maintained in an elastically deformed state to form a potential energy reserve, and a second position in which the resilient member is mechanically coupled to the pusher so that the pusher exerts pressure on the stack of disks under drive from the resilient member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an architecture for a hydraulic steering control system including at least one actuator; the hydraulic system comprises a directional-control valve connected to a pressure-generator device and to an associated main supply, the hydraulic system further comprising a reversible electrically-driven pump unit having two ports and being fitted with a general selector arranged, in a normal mode of operation, to put the chambers of the actuator into communication with the directional-control valve, and in an alternate mode of operation to put the chambers of the actuator into communication with the ports of the pump unit. A compensation device makes it possible in the alternate mode to compensate for any flow differential between the flow drawn in by the pump unit from one of the chambers of the actuator and the flow delivered by the pump unit into the other chamber of the actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (22) for a seat, of the type comprising, on the one hand, a body (40) and a control element (38) displaceable relative to the body (40), under the control of an actuating motor (36), and, on the other hand, a transducer (42) disposed between the body (40) and the control element (38), said transducer (42) being suitable for providing a raw measurement value representative of the current position of the control element (38) relative to the body (40). It has a unit (46) for correcting said raw measurement value, said correction unit (46) being suitable for implementing a correction algorithm which is specific to said actuator and which is suitable for providing a corrected value for the current position of the actuator on the basis of said raw measurement value. Said correction unit (46) is specific to said actuator and is integrated therein.

Abstract: A fiber preform for manufacturing a brake disk out of composite material is itself manufactured by superposing and bonding together fiber layers. Structural fiber layers (10) are used to form at least a first preform portion that is to constitute the fiber reinforcement of the brake disk core, while the or each preform portion that is to constitute the fiber reinforcement of a friction portion of the brake disk is constituted by a felt (16, 18), at least in its portion adjacent to the friction face.

Abstract: A safety locking device for electromechanical equipment provided with a rotating shaft, particularly an aircraft wheel brake with a safety locking device. The device comprises a first friction element connected rotationally to the shaft, and a second friction element immobile rotationally and extending opposite the first friction element. One of the two friction elements is able to move in translation, under the action of a controllable actuator, between a locking position and a release position. The locking and release positions correspond to successive angular positions of a selector able to move in rotation and connected in translation to the friction element able to move in translation. The selector is maintained in any one of its angular positions by a resilient member, while the actuator provides solely the passage of the selector from one angular position to the following one, and consequently passage from the locking position to the release position or vice-versa.

Abstract: A composite structure is formed by depositing a one or more coatings on an open-cell foam skeleton to form a higher-density composite foam. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the composite foam can be at carbon carbon composite formed by a rapid densification process. The form composite structure is suitable for use, for example, as a friction material employed in clutch and brake devices.

Abstract: A composite structure is formed by depositing a one or more coatings on an open-cell foam skeleton to form a higher-density composite foam. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the composite foam can be a carbon/carbon composite formed by a rapid densification process. The composite structure is suitable for use, for example, as a friction material employed in clutch and brake devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically presenting a generally pre-needled textile sheet coming from an upstream module and intended to feed a cross-layer module, the apparatus comprising means for measuring the positions of the longitudinal edges of the textile sheet, means for adjusting the width of said textile sheet, means for adjusting the position of said textile sheet, and processor means responsive to the position measuring means to control the adjustment means in real time in such a manner that the textile sheet presents determined width and position.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling the spreading of a textile sheet made up of a plurality of tows coming from a tow feed module and serving to feed a drive module, the apparatus comprises means for measuring the positions of the longitudinal edges of each tow, means for individually adjusting the width of each tow, means for individually adjusting the position of each tow in a direction perpendicular to a tow advance direction, and digital processor means responsive to said position measuring means to control the adjustment means in such a manner that the textile sheet presents determined width and position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for braking aircraft wheels, the brake system being of the type which, for each wheel, comprises a stator central portion coaxially surrounding a wheel axle on which a rotor annular portion is mounted to rotate, and a succession of brake disks disposed between the stator central portion and the rotor annular portion with alternate disks being constrained to rotate with one and the other of said portions, said stator central portion being provided with a brake collar equipped with a plurality of sets of pistons and, rigidly secured to said collar, a torsion tube internally provided with a transverse annular web, a centering bearing being interposed between the annular web and the axle. According to the invention the centering bearing has structural characteristics that vary circumferentially in a distribution configuration suitable for generating different bearing stiffnesses along two orthogonal axes contained in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the axle.