Abstract: A strip of metal is formed onto a lead-frame defining external contact tabs (24) and electrical connection zones (26), the lead-frame is molded into an injection moded part (39 and 40) which defines a recess (41) for receiving the semiconductor chip of the electronic module, a semiconductor chip (35) is fixed in the recess, the terminals (37) of the chip (35) are electrically connected to the electrical connection zones, and the chip is potted by filling the recess (41) with an insulating material (42).

Abstract: In order to fix the electronic module (14) in the cavity (12, 14, 16) of a card body (10), a fixing ring (20) is placed on a shoulder (18) in the cavity. The ring (20) comprises a fibrous matrix structure impregnated with a thermally-activatable adhesive material. Pressure is exerted on the electronic module (14), thereby crushing the ring (20) and positioning the module. Heat is applied to the fixing element in order to activate and polymerize the adhesive material contained therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an input circuit for an electrical energy meter, which circuit has a current path and a voltage path, the current path being associated with a mutual conductance transformer. In order to compensate for the differentiating function of the transformer, but without introduicng interference signals, the current path includes an active filter connected as an integrator and provided with a coupling capacitance suitable for blocking low frequency signals.

Abstract: A coriolis-type mass flow sensor suitable for aerospace use comprises a tuning fork which is immersed in the fluid whose mass flow is to be sensed, such that its tines extend across (i.e. perpendicular to) the direction of flow of the fluid. The whole tuning fork is elongated in the direction of flow of the fluid, so that the fluid flows over (and between) the tines: typically, the fork may be up to 15 cm long in the direction of flow. The tines are excited to vibrate perpendicularly to the direction of flow of the fluid by several piezoelectric drive devices held under compression in, and distributed symmetrically about the midlength of, the yoke from which the tines project, while the vibrations are sensed by respective piezoelectric pickup devices within each end of the yoke. The phase difference between the vibrations sensed by the two pickup devices is a function of the mass flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A coriolis-type mass flow transducer comprises a straight tube 10 through which a fluid whose mass flow rate is to be measured is arranged to flow while the tube is set into transverse resonant vibration in its second overtone mode. Mass flow is determined by measuring the phase difference between the vibration at two points along the tube 10. Such a transducer exhibits an offset at zero flow, which can vary with time. These variations are minimized by minimizing the damping effects on the tube 10 of bellows 6, 7 used to connect tube 10 in a flow line, and then corrected by measuring the amplitude ratio of the vibrations at the two points, and correcting the initially-determined offset in dependence upon changes in this amplitude ratio.

Abstract: An ultrasonic distributed temperature sensor comprises an elongate ultrasonic waveguide in the form of steel or nickel wire 0.16 cm in diameter and up to 10 meters long, which is strung around the area whose temperature is to be monitored, eg an aircraft engine. The wire is provided with discontinuities in the form of annuli welded on to it to form annular flanges, which serve to partially reflect ultrasonic pules launched into one end of the wire. These flanges, known as "posi-notches", divide the waveguide, and thus the area to be monitored, into a number of zones, the size of each zone being determined by the spacing of the adjacent flanges defining it. In operation, the temporal spacing of each pair of successive partially reflected pulses is a measure of the average temperature of the zone defined by the flanges producing that pair of pulses.

Abstract: A device for driving magnetic tape suitable for running from a pay-out spool to a take-up spool along a determined path during which the tape is wound through a given angle around a stationary element such as a cylindrical drum provided with rotary heads, and is caused to slip over the surface thereof, the device comprising first and second drive elements disposed respectively upstream and downstream from the element, wherein one of the drive elements includes a capstan and wherein the other one of the drive elements includes a wheel having the tape wound thereabout, the wheel being rotated so that its linear speed is greater than the linear speed of the tape and is in the same direction as the linear speed of the tape, and is suitable for enabling the tape to slip over the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a neutral particle detector for providing one-dimensional analysis of a flux (14) of neutral particles which reach it in a sheet. The detector comprises a solid plane converter (17) disposed at a grazing incidence, a grid of charge amplifying wires (18) making use of stimulated ionization of a gas, and charge collecting tracks (19). The tracks are disposed in the immediate proximity of the converter and are subjected to the same electrical potential as the converter. The invention is applicable to imaging.

Abstract: Optimum routing for communications between a central control unit (CCU) and remote units (nodes), such as electricity meters, distributed on an electrical power line is established by broadcasting from the CCU an interrogation signal to be received by the remote units. In response to a receipt of the interrogation signal, each remote unit returns an acknowledgement signal, time multiplexed with the acknowledgement signals of the other remote units, to the CCU which determines which units, if any, are "mute", i.e., have not acknowledged. The CCU then selects remote units in proximity to the mute remote units if it has already a good knowledge of the network or at random otherwise, to function as relays and repeats interrogation of the remote units via the relays. This process is repeated, if necessary, until communication paths between the CCU and all remote units are established directly or via delay units, to form maps.

Abstract: According to the invention the card body is made by molding a plastic material such as ABS. The mold (20, 22) includes a core (24) serving to define a cavity in the card body for the purpose of receiving a card electronic module.

Abstract: A method of making a card which has a body having two main faces and at least one graphics element. A mold is provided having a mold cavity which defines the outside shape of the card body. A support element bearing a graphics element is placed in the mold cavity, and it is retained in place so that it remains substantially parallel to the walls of the mold cavity which define the main faces of the card body. A plastic material is then injected into the mold in such a manner that the plastic material occupies all of the space delimited in the mold cavity and not occupied by the support element. The part obtained in this way is then unmolded.

Abstract: A differential electrical current shunt which is particularly adapted for the measurement of large currents with high accuracy and substantially free of errors due to ageing, connection resistance and differentials therein and thermally induced resistance changes. The shunt, according to the invention divides the large current into two substantially equal portions by forming a preferably elongated aperture in a conductor carrying the large current; the two portions of the conductor formed by the aperture having substantially equal but slightly differing resistances. The two conductor portions are formed with respect to a core such that the conductor portions each form a single turn coil on the core with the induced flux from each conductor portion opposing that included in the coil by the other of the two conductor portions.

Abstract: A liquid bottle is efficiently carried by a bicycle having a tubular frame that includes a forwardly extending first tube projecting forwardly from near the seat to the steering column, and a second tube projecting downwardly and rearwardly from the steering column at an angle .alpha. relative to the first tube and toward the pedal rotor bearing, the two tubes defining an upright frame plane that extends forwardly.

Abstract: Amplitude-balanced input signals (I.sub.1 and I.sub.2) from two pick-up coils spaced along a vibrating tube mass flow transducer are used to form sum and difference signals (S and D). These are multiplied by quadrature and in-phase signals (Q and I) respectively in multipliers, the multiplying signals being generated by a phase-locked loop locked to the sum signal (S). The in-phase signal (I) provides the drive signal for a drive coil (12) of the transducer. The product signals (P.sub.S and P.sub.D) from the two multiplier are smoothed in low pass filters to provide sum and difference voltages (V.sub.S and V.sub.D). Mass flow rate is proportional to the phase difference (represented by the ratio of these voltages) divided by the frequency of the I signal. The density of the fluid in the transducer is indicated by the frequency of the I signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fire detector comprises an elongate ultrasonic waveguide, e.g. in the form of a wire, which is arranged to be strung around the area to be monitored for fire. An ultrasonic pulse generator launches longitudinal ultrasonic pulses into one end of the waveguide, for reflection from the far end. The waveguide is arranged such that local heating due to a fire changes its acoustic impedance at the location of the local heating, the change in acoustic impedance being sufficient to produce partial reflection of the ultrasonic pulses. Detection of the partially reflected pulses thus indicates the presence of a fire, and their time of arrival gives the location of the fire along the waveguide. The acoustic impedance change can be produced by providing the waveguide with notches filled with low melting-point alloy, by applying a temperature-induced stress to the waveguide, or simply by the temperature gradient caused by the fire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection device for detecting that the coin storage receptacle of a slot machine such as a parking meter is full of coins. The device includes a moving flap (32) disposed across the coin arrival path. A microswitch (42) detects the position of the flap (32). If the flap does not return to its rest position, then the receptcle is full.

Abstract: An optical absolute pressure sensor constituted by a body made of a substance having photoelastic properties and provided with at least one internal duct extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of said body, the pressure inside said duct being substantially zero and the ends thereof being closed in sealed manner. The invention also applies to a method of making the sensor, to apparatus for implementing the method, and to a sensor constituting the product of the method.

Abstract: A single optical port in an electric meter is multiplexed between at least two internal systems by using a multiplexer circuit which has a set of data lines which can be connected to the optical port and to one of the internal systems. The multiplexer is controlled by means of a magnetic reed switch which is mounted within the cover of the meter, so no mechanical changes to the meter cover are required.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic memory card and, more particularly an electronic module. A metal strip (10) has a plurality of lead-frames (A) formed therein. An insulating strip (50) is fixed to the outside face (10a) of the strip (10) leaving the external tabs (20a to 34a) of the electronic module uncovered. In the following steps, a semiconductor chip is fixed on the inside face of the lead-frame and then the lead-frame (A) is separated from the remainder of the strip (10) by being cut off therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a selective access system against fraudulent use of a magnetic card having a confidential card. Each cade (CM) is associated with a class corresponding to a zone of a memory (PROM). The number of classes is equal to the number of zones and is substantially less than the number of cards (CM) which may be presented. At each failure to input a confidential code, one of the bits is modified in the corresponding memory zone.