Abstract: A method of producing a finite-element model of a unique body of complex shape having an outer surface that is known in the form of a cloud of points describing said surface analytically or algebraically in a determined frame of reference, the method comprising the steps of a) using a parameterizable and generic finite-element model made up of simple geometrical volumes and representative of the family to which the unique body belongs, b) adapting said model as a function of parameters describing the unique body that is to be modeled; c) in said frame of reference, adjusting the parameterized generic finite-element model and causing the surface nodes of said parameterized model to correspond to points of the known outer surface of the body by projecting said nodes onto said surface along a direction that is normal to the surface of the generic model, and d) using the nodes of the surface as control points for a three-dimensional interpolation method in order to personalize the internal finite elements of the

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an air flow duct having an end portion fitted inside a nozzle whose front surface is trued so that it can be applied against the surface to be scanned and so that it can co-operate therewith to form a leak through which air flows as a function of the surface state of the part, and further comprises measuring means for measuring the flow rate of air passing through the leak. At its trued front surface, the nozzle delimits an annular air flow duct, and the portion of the nozzle inside the annular air flow duct includes a duct connected to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Ultrasonic process and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the evolution with time of physico-chemical and biological phenomena. There is plunged into the medium or media (4) to be monitored a bar (3) into which ultrasound (2) is injected in order to collect secondary echoes (F2, F3) due to numerous reflections from the lateral surface of the bar (3) brought into contact with the medium (4), one of the secondary echoes (F2) is selected and the evolution with time of the amplitude of this echo is recorded, this representing the evolution of the medium being monitored, in particular the setting of concrete or the polymerization of a resin.