Abstract: An observation or aiming system for a self-propelled vehicle is described. The system includes a post pivoting about a bearing axis (Ag) relative to the vehicle. The post carries a body for an optical block and a thermal camera which are mounted to pivot about an elevation axis (As) perpendicular to the bearing axis (Ag). The body and the thermal camera are disposed symmetrically relative to the bearing axis (Ag). The system also includes a radar channel having a radar transmitter unit mounted on the body, a radar detection unit mounted on the body close to the bearing axis (Ag) and concentration means situated in the body for concentrating radar waves on the radar detection unit. The optical block, the thermal camera, and the radar channel are secured so as to always have the same orientation in elevation and in bearing, and thus the same observation direction.

Abstract: An actuator, comprising a plurality of stacks of unit blocks of an active material of the piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive type, which blocks are distributed so as to form a tubular structure, together with means enabling an electric or magnetic field to be applied to said unit blocks to cause said unit blocks to deform in such a manner that the tubular structure twists.

Abstract: A gyroscope comprising a source for emitting a light beam, an optical fiber loop in which the light propagates in both directions, a dual phase-conjugate mirror disposed in said loop in such a manner that light reaches said mirror from both sides thereof, recombination means for recombining the light which has propagated round the loop, and detector means for detecting the recombined signal, wherein the loop includes a monomode fiber that does not conserve polarization and wherein depolarization means are disposed between said fiber and the phase-conjugate mirror, on either side thereof.

Abstract: A piezoelectric or electrostrictive actuator, comprising a plurality of stages of piezoelectric or electrostrictive active blocks distributed so as to form a tubular structure, the polarization of the active blocks alternating from one stage to the next, separation elements separating the unit active blocks of any one stage in pairs, said elements being superposed on one another in the height direction of the structure, being suitable for sliding over one another, and being of stiffness greater than that of the unit active blocks, a separation element extending over the height of two stages of active blocks, the separation elements on either side of a given unit active block extending respectively through both stages on either side of said unit active block, electrode-forming means enabling voltages of alternating sign to be applied to the various stacks of active blocks, and wherein a separation element is constituted by two bonded-together slabs each belonging to a different stage, the slabs of any one stag

Abstract: A vibration motor includes a stator and a rotor and excitation arrangements for deforming the stator in vibratory modes combining tangential vibrations and normal vibrations intended to drive rotation of the rotor. The rotor and the excitation arrangements have dimensions such that the normal and tangential modes have similar resonant frequencies, or even the same resonant frequency, and correspond substantially to the excitation frequency.

Abstract: An actuator for a primary control surface of an air-craft, the actuator comprising at least one motor of the vibration type mounted in series with at least a second motor which is a piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive actuator of the direct type, and further including control means causing one or both of the motors to operate in such a manner that the second motor drives movements of the control surface of the type used for stabilizing the aircraft, while the vibration drives movements of greater amplitude.

Abstract: A vibration motor includes in a casing at least two pairs of stator plates which comprise tangential deformation active members and two rotor disks between the plates of respective pairs. Active members for generating a normal force extend between the facing plates of both pairs. A spring arrangement is disposed between the pairs of plates and the casing.

Abstract: A gyro of the type having a multimode optical fiber loop in which light propagates in both directions before being recombined, together with a device constituting a phase conjugate "mirror", wherein the device is a double phase conjugate "mirror" and is disposed in the loop so that the light reaches said device from both sides thereof, with the incident light at each side of the device serving as a pumping wave for phase conjugation of the incident wave arriving at the other side of the device.

Abstract: A vibration motor comprising a stator and a rotor together with excitation means for deforming said stator in a vibratory mode enabling it to rotate the rotor, the motor being characterized in that the stator and/or the rotor include(s) a shape memory alloy in the vicinity of or at a zone of mutual contact between the rotor and the stator.