Abstract: A device for electrostatically suspending an electrically charged body coises at least two spherical electrodes serving simultaneously for capacitive position detection and electrostatic positioning control for the body.

Abstract: A monocrystalline alloy with a high resistance to creep having a nickel base matrix, with a density of the order of 8.5 and having a percentage, by weight, composition as follows: Co 5 to 8%--Cr 6.5 to 10%--Mo 0.5 to 2.5%--W 5 to 9%--Ta 6 to 9%--Al 4.5 to 5.8%--Ti 1 to 2%--Nb 0 to 1.5%--C, Zr, and B each less than 100 ppm--Ni remainder to 100%. Furthermore, the summation Ta+Mo+1/2 W lies between 11.5% and 13.5% by weight, the atomic sum Ti+Al+Ta+Nb lies between 15.5% and 17%, the atomic sum Ta+Nb+Mo+1/2 W lies between 4% and 5.5%, the atomic sum Ti+Al+Ta+Nb+Mo+1/2 W lies between 17.5% and 19% and the atomic sum Ti+Al lies between 12.8% and 14.5%.

Abstract: Between the electrostatic sector (SE 23) and the magnetic sector (SM 30) of a mass spectrometer, there is provided a quadrupole (QP 26) which applies parallel beams to the magnetic sector whose inclination depends on the energy dispersion of the particles. A slotted lens (LF 27) corrects the divergence of the quadrupole in the perpendicular plane. A suitable relationship between the angle of the inlet face of the magnetic sector (SM 30) and the deflection angle provided thereby ensures that the second order aperture aberrations of the magnetic sector are corrected. The chromatic aberrations may be corrected by means of a hexapole (HP 25) centered on the focus of the quadrupole (QP 26). Another hexapole (HP 22) placed upstream from the electrostatic sector (SE 23) level with a constriction in vertical section of the particle beam serves to correct second order aperture aberrations related to the electrostatic sector (SE 23).

Abstract: A process for forming a titanium base alloy comprises compacting a powder formed of particles of titanium or of a mother alloy thereof and of a dispersion of fine particles of a product curbing the growth of the grain size, in a proportion per volume which is less than that which would lead to the formation of a continuous layer of fine particles about the particles of titanium powder. Then the alloy is heat treated at a temperature higher than the point of transformation into phase .beta. and quenched. The product is typically selected among S, P, B, As, Se, Te, Y and the lanthanides.

Abstract: A deformable trihedral reflector suitable for back reflecting an incident electromagnetic beam includes a trirectangular trihedron with three reflecting faces substantially orthogonal two by two. At least one part of the reflector is made of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material is activated to vary the dihedral angles between the faces of the trihedron in the vicinity of the orthogonality to cause divergence of the reflected beam.

Abstract: Electrostatic triaxial accelerometer comprising a test weight movable with respect to an accelerometer body, electrically connected to said body by a highly flexible lead, electrodes fixed to said body and forming capacitors with respect to the test weight, means for detecting the test weight position by means of measurement voltages fed to said electrodes and means for positioning said test weight by electrostatic forces developed from cueing voltages applied to said electrodes, characterized in that the test weight comprises six planar plates regularly assembled such that the inside volume defined by these plates is a cube with a side smaller in length than the plates.

Abstract: A gas carrying solid particles is purified by electrically charging the sd particles and precipitating them by electrostatic means. The particles carrying gas flows in an enclosure wherein a space charge is formed by ion generators. Each ion generator comprises an injector tube which defines a chamber communicating with the enclosure via a small opening. Moist air is fed under pressure in the chamber and is accelerated in a tuyere in this opening. A corona discharge is formed at the neck of the tuyere by applying a high voltage between the tuyere and a coaxially arranged needle like electrode. Microparticles of ice are formed in the corona discharge zone by reason of the supersonic gas discharge in the tuyere. Ions trapped by these microparticles are driven out of the ion generators chamber into the enclosure wherein the gas stream to purify flows. These ions are freed by evaporation of the ice microparticles to form the space charge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a structural element for protecting an aircraft against the building-up, when flying, of electrostatic charges on the external metallic surface of the aircraft normally coated with a finishing dielectric paint.The structural element of the aircraft is subjected to a treatment consisting in applying on the external metallic surface of the aircraft, prior to the depositing of the finishing paint, a resistive electrostatic protection layer having a surface resistivity of between 1 and 100 M.OMEGA. per square and being connected to the reference electric potential (i.e., ground or mass) of the frame or body of the aircraft.The the protective layer is provided, for example, by applying at least a paint layer forming, once dry, a coating exhibiting the required surface resistivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and device for the accelerated densification of a porous carbonaceous substrate, of the type consisting in decomposing a hydrocarbon substance in the presence of said substrate under high pressure and at high temperature, decomposition being effected inside a closed reactor allowing the elimination of the hydrogen emitted during the reaction as it is produced, the walls of said reactor having the necessary suppleness for the inner volume thereof to be adapted at any instant, under the effect of the pressure applied, to the volume of the liquid phase which it contains, wherein the hydrocarbon substance to be decomposed is chosen from the group comprising pitches, acenaphthylene, phenanthrene or mixtures of these products. The invention also relates to a process for preparing said substance.

Abstract: For exploring the high density high temperature atmosphere of a planet at a stabilized altitude, a buoyant assembly comprising an inflatable envelope is used. A container connectable with the envelope and containing a liquid selected to vaporize in the planet atmosphere to an extent which decreases above the stabilized altitude and increases under the stabilized altitude, is launched into the planet atmosphere with the envelope in folded condition.

Abstract: A method for measuring the bonding power of an adhesive material, particuly a sheet material comprising fibres impregnated with a glue. After having applied against the material the face of a totally reflecting prism the index of refraction of which is lower than that of the glue, a force is exerted which tends to bring apart from each other the prism and said material, the value of the force corresponding to the separation is determined and the quotient is made of said force by the value of the contact area measured at the moment of the separation from the light totally reflected by said face.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharger has a stem of high electric resistivity faste at one end to an aircraft body and secured at its other end to an enlarged head provided with a sharp circular charge-emitting edge in a plane perpendicular to the stem axis. The edge, bounded by two annular surfaces converging at an acute angle with a radius of curvature of the order of 0.05 mm, may project radially or axially from the head and in either case has a diameter greatly exceeding that of the stem.