Abstract: A laser for use in all fields of measurement using a heterodyne effect delivers two waves at different frequencies, having mutually orthogonal linear polarizations. It comprises a lasing medium placed in a laser resonating cavity defined by mirrors and a birefringent crystal placed on the path of the two waves. The lasing medium is located in the resonating cavity in a zone where the two waves are separated spatially. Two quarter wave plates, one of which has neutral lines at substantially 45.degree. from the polarization axes of the birefringent means, are placed in the common path of the two waves so as to give a helical polarization to the two waves between the plates.

Abstract: An optical sighting and aiming apparatus has a first channel having a disy unit provided with deviation measurement means; a second channel having a sighting member and a light deviator for angularly deviating the optical axis of the sighting member with respect to a reference direction harmonized with the center of the vision field of the display unit; and an aiming mirror inserted in a light path common to the two channels, at a location between the portions of the two channels which are separate and a multichannel collimator for adjusting the angular direction of both channels with respect to a scene being observed. The second or aiming channel further comprises a separator for separating a light beam from the multichannel collimator into a beam directed toward the sighting member and a beam directed toward a zeroing detector harmonized with the sighting member.

Abstract: Motor vehicle dashboard comprising, from the front to the rear, an instrut panel, a raised portion pierced with windows displaying measuring and counting instrument dials, the raised portion receiving a window interposed between it and the instrument panel, the measuring and counting instruments, a case and an electric circuit support. The raised portion comprises, projecting rearward, pins for positioning the instruments which cooperate with complementary holes provided on the instruments. The instruments and the case are fixed respectively to the case and to the raised portion.

Abstract: A videotex terminal capable of receiving telecopies is disclosed, comprising a printing device at the output of its modem for printing fixed images in response to graphic data from a source connected to the telephone network, and the procedure for communicating the graphic data comprises protocol phases, during which the terminal and the source exchange questions and answers in the form of data transmitted at a first speed via the modem used alternately in one direction and in the other, and transfer phases, during which a flow of graphic data is transmitted by the modem, at this first speed, from the source to the terminal and data for regulating said flow are transmitted by the modem, at a second speed, from the terminal to the source.

Abstract: The accelerometer is suitable for use on missiles subjected to high acceltion forces on start. It comprises a base and a flat pendulum mounted on the base for oscillation about a rotation axis located in the plane of the pendulum. The distance between the center of gravity of the pendulum and the rotation axis is small as compared with the span of the pendulum. Electrodes are carried by a face of the pendulum on both sides of the axis and cooperate with electrodes carried by the base for generating an electrostatic balancing field. The pendulum has electrodes on one face only and that results in easier construction.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel is disclosed with counter resetting knob, comping a push knob for resetting a trip recorder and mounted for sliding through a raised portion and a window. The knob comprises an end-piece with radial fins whose widened ends are situated between the raised portion and the window. Under the action of a compression spring the widened ends of the fins are urged towards the window, thus eliminating any play between the hole in the window and the end-piece.

Abstract: A vibrating force transducer suitable for use in a pendular accelerometer mprises a flat elongated strip of piezo-electric material having end portions arranged for being securely connected to elements which apply a force to be measured along the direction of elongation when the transducer is in service. The strip is fractionated by slits parallel along the direction of elongation and orthogonal to major faces of the strips into a central beam and lateral beams which are in a common plane, the lateral beams carrying electrode means for flexural vibration in the common plane at a resonance frequency indicative of the value of the force applied to the end portions and the central beam carrying a resistive temperature sensor.

Abstract: A dashboard lay-out is provided, particularly for motor vehicles, compris: a central case (1) with its front face (2) open and arranged inside so as to form a light box diffusing an homogeneous light towards the front; a rear plate (6) fixed to the rear face (3) of the case and supporting the components of the dashboard not situated on the front face; a transparent front plate (12) fixed to the front face (2) of the case and supporting the components (14, 16) to be seen by an observer as well as their direct control devices (15, 20) as required; and a facing plate (25) with selective transparency having zones of different colours covering the front plate; connection means, particularly electric connection means (22, 28), providing the necessary connections between the rear and front plates.

Abstract: A method of filing geographical maps and a method of reading the filed ma The maps cover a zone called scale zone. For filing, the maps are arranged in order, each map is turned through a digitization angle, it is digitized by a scanner and the useless portions are cut out therefrom, the maps are located so as to determine the deformation thereof, the digitized, cut out and located maps are stored on a buffer by juxtaposing them, and the information of the buffer is stored on a digital optical disk. For reading, the map containing a point with given geographical coordinates to be placed in the center of a display screen is determined by its contour.

Abstract: A printing assembly which is adapted for printing on a print medium in a m of a sheet or tape includes a printing cylinder on which is wound and urged the print medium during a printing operation. A printing device prints on the print medium and urges it against the printing cylinder. An advancing device upstream of the printing device serves to advance the print medium and a tensioning device downstream of the printing devices tightens the print medium against the printing cylinder. The tensioning device includes two contra-rotating rollers having substantially smooth outer surfaces in contact from opposite sides of the print medium which allow sliding at the contacting surfaces and which provide for tensioning of the print medium on the print cylinder. The rollers are of the same diameter and are both motorpowered and driven at the same rotational velocity, which rotational velocity is greater than the advance velocity of the advancing device.

Abstract: A low-cost pendular non-serviced accelerometer comprises a base, a pendular seismic mass connected to the base by a hinged connection for pivotal movement of the seismic mass about an axis along a sense direction perpendicular to the hinged connection and a sensor connecting the seismic mass to the base. The sensor comprises at least two vibrating beams of piezo-electric material, each connected to the base at an end thereof and to the seismic mass at the other end thereof, and each provided with electrodes for vibrating the respective beam at a tuning frequency thereof. The beams are directed orthogonally to the sense axis and are located symmetrically with respect to the seismic mass on both sides of the hinged connection, whereby any acceleration along the sense axis creates tractive stresses in one beam and compression stresses in the other beam.

Abstract: A method is provided for representing, on a display device screen and in perspective from a given point of observation, the image of a terrain known by the nodes of a given mesh network, in which for each image pixel, the point of intersection is determined of the line which starts from the point of observation and which passes through this image pixel with a surface passing through the nodes and taking on approximately the shape of the ground, and said image pixel is illuminated with the color of the pixel associated with a digitized planimetric map or photograph of the ground.

Abstract: A thermal regulation device is provided for regulating, to a desired value, the temperature of an element (7) by blowing a gas at the desired temperature thereon, comprising:a body (1) containing a duct (2) feeding the gas; an insulating bell (6) mounted for sliding on the end (3) of the duct for surrounding the element (7); a bellows (15) between the bell (6) and the body (1); a tube (19) enclosed in the body (1) for discharging the gas out of the bell; the bell and the bellows being made from a heat insulating material.

Abstract: Electrical component equipped with contacts for its electrical connection with its electrical environment. It is provided with two sets of contacts interconnected electrically by groups of two contacts belonging respectively to these two sets. One of these sets of contacts is constituted by contacts adapted to ensure electrical connections by simple pressure contact on respectively oppositely situated conducting spots, mechanical fastening means being also provided to fix the electrical component mechanically to a support associated with said conducting spots. The other of these sets of contacts is constituted by contacts adapted to be connected mechanically, particularly by welding, to respective conducting members or conducting spots.

Abstract: A mirror device for providing an image of a remote object, suitable for use in a multi-spectral collimator, comprises a primary concave mirror whose surface is an off-axis portion of a paraboloid having a rotational symetry about an axis, and a secondary concave mirror whose surface is an off-axis portion of a hyperboloid, one focus of which coincides with the focus of the paraboloid. The mirrors have sizes of the same order of magnitude. The primary mirror is so located that a light beam received by it and having a mean ray parallel to the axis of the paraboloid is unobscured by the secondary mirror. The radii of curvatures of the two mirrors at locations along their respective axes do not differ by more than 10%.

Abstract: A fire control system for a weapon having an operator-aimed barrel compri a sighting piece carried by the barrel and having a reticle adjustable in position with respect to the bore axis of the barrel. A camera fast with the barrel has a field coaxial with the bore axis. The apparent movement of the target in the field of the camera is measured as well as the angular movements of the barrel by the operator. The position to be given to the reticle is computed from variations of the aiming direction of the barrel and from the apparent movement and the position of the reticle is consequently adjusted. The reticle may consist of a LCD.

Abstract: An inflation system, in particular for cardiac assistance, has a rotary dributor driven by a motor controlled by an electronic circuit. The rotary distributor places a bag and an inflation fluid reservoir in communication through a pump for alternately inflating the bag from the reservoir and emptying the bag into the reservoir. The electronic circuit controls the rotary distributor during inflation and deflation and progressively controls the speed of the pump during inflation, and during deflation interrupts the power supply to the motor.

Abstract: In a process for interconnecting microprocessors, a master microprocessor (1) transmits a character. All the slave microprocessors receive it in a register (4). If processing is in progress in the slave (2) for which it is intended, the character is masked until the processing is finished. After the processing, the slave microprocessor (2) recognizes it, removes it from the register (4) and loads this latter with an echo intended for the master microprocessor (1), allowing it to transmit a new character.

Abstract: A series type thermal writing head for printers is provided including, on a rigid wafer, ceramic supporting resistive elements with their conductors, a double face printed circuit forming connection support, a flexible connection film printed on a single face, with conducting tracks connecting together the conductors of the resistive elements and the conductors of the printed circuit, those of the face turned towards the wafer by metallized holes.