Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a packaging element, specially a sealing element, comprising the coating with a polymer film of at least those parts of said element which are liable to be in contact with the products packaged, wherein said coating is produced by polymerization, assisted by cold-far-remote-plasma, of at least one monomer chosen from siloxanes and silazanes of formula: ##STR1## in which: A represents an oxygen atom or the NH group and;R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 represent, independently, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably a methyl group. Application: stoppers intended for a medical or pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: A novel power conversion system includes an energy storage circuit including a plurality of capacitors forming multiple stages, wherein each of the multiple stages includes one or more of the capacitors; a charging circuit connected to the energy storage circuit and during a charging cycle charging the plurality of capacitors from a voltage source to a predetermined voltage; a circuit for inverting the polarity of the voltage across selected capacitors; and a discharging circuit connected to the energy storage circuit and during a discharging cycle extracting power from the plurality of connected capacitors at a transformed voltage. The energy storage circuit further includes an interstage coupling circuit that provides interconnections interconnecting the capacitor stages. During the charging cycle, the interstage coupling circuit assumes one of two modes and during the discharging cycle, it assumes the other of the two modes.

Abstract: A pressure cooker pressure regulator having at least two operating thresholds, the regulator being of the type comprising a valve body fixed to the lid of a pressure cooker and having a valve seat formed therein, and a needle carrying a rating mass and bearing against the seat, the regulator is such that the needle is slidably mounted relative to the rating mass, that a spring is interposed between the needle and the rating mass, and that means are provided for adjusting the force exerted by the spring on the needle and comprising means selectively implemented to oppose upward displacement of the rating mass relative to the valve body under the effect of pressure applied to the needle via the seat.

Abstract: A transformerless power conversion system including a plurality of capacitors connected in series; a charging circuit connected to the plurality of capacitors, the charging circuit charging the plurality of capacitors from a voltage source to a predetermined voltage; a circuit for inverting the polarity of the charge stored in selected capacitors of the plurality of capacitors, the polarity inverting circuit including a plurality of inductor circuits, each of which can be switchably coupled to a corresponding different one of the selected capacitors to form a resonant circuit which aids in inverting the polarity of a stored charge in that capacitor; and a discharging circuit for extracting power from the plurality of capacitors at a transformed voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new Transformerless Power Conversion System (TPCS) that allows a direct voltage step-up or step-down of DC or AC power without the use of magnetic core transformers. The operation is accomplished with solid state switching devices, capacitors, preferentially air core inductors and a switch control system.The conversion and step-up from AC to DC and the inverse process can be implemented with high efficiency and without the generation of harmonics. The transformer elimination in conjunction with high inversion frequency operation results in a low weight system without transformer core losses and third harmonic generation. For high ratio DC to DC transformation the TPCS transports the input charge directly to the output without requiring an AC link. The three distinct operations of charging, transformation, and energy discharge are typically in sequential order and allows a complete isolation between the input and output power grids.

Abstract: The invention concerns an Al alloy product containing lithium, with great specific mechanical strength and high tolerance to damage, particularly resistance to corrosion under stress in processed state (quenched-tempered), particularly in recrystallized state, and a process to obtain said product.The products according to the invention present a specific microstructure, with numerous rather coarse precipitates of intermetallic phases which are rich in Al, Cu, Li, Mg and optionally also Zn, of which the volume fraction is between 0.6 and 4%. A differential enthalpic analysis allows verification that the product has been processed according to the method which is claimed.This method consists of applying the following thermal treatments to the alloy:an optional heat maintenance stage in the course of the manufacture (for wrought alloys) or before placement in solution (for the cast alloys) at a temperature of between 490.degree. and 250.degree. C. for 1 to 48 hours.a placement in solution between 460.degree. C.

Abstract: An asymmetrical overvoltage protection circuit includes a series connection of varistors with a capacitance in parallel with only one of the varistors. The asymmetry may also involve a parallel connection of an inductance with the other of the varistors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for brazing without filler metal two components, of which at least one is an Al alloy. According to the method, prior to brazing, at least one Al alloy component is maintained in a region of temperatures included between the temperature of solvus T.sub.v of the alloy and 2/5 of temperature of fusion (solidus) T.sub.s of the alloy, expressed in degrees Kelvin, for a sufficient period of time. After this treatment, which may or may not be isothermal, the alloy is suitable for brazing in a domain of temperatures included between the temperature of fusion T.sub.e of the most fusible eutectic corresponding to the equilibrium diagram of the constituents of the alloy, and that of the solidus of the alloy. The method permits the realization of perfectly homogeneous brazed seams for alloys considered not to be brazable.

Abstract: The invention relates to aluminium alloy parts having an improved fatigue strength and to their production process. These parts are made from an alloy containing by weight 11 to 22% silicon, 2 to 5% iron, 0.5 to 4% copper, 0.2 to 1.5% magnesium and having the characteristic of containing 0.4 to 1.5% zirconium. The process for obtaining the same consists of subjecting the alloy in the molten state to fast solidification, shaping, a heat treatment at between 480.degree. and 530.degree. C., hardening with water and tempering at between 150.degree. and 200.degree. C. These parts are more particularly used as rods and piston pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for regulating the lubrication of the working face of the rolls of a continuous strip casting machine. The process is characterized in that, in order to operate the machine at the highest possible speed while avoiding excesses of lubricant or sticking phenomena, at least one beam of coherent light is directed on to the working face of each of the rolls or on the each of the faces of the strip or on to the face of a roll and the face of the strip opposite to said roll, the values of the mean strength and/or the frequency of the variations in the beam reflected by said faces are measured, said measured values are compared to values in reference intervals, and the speed of rotation of the rolls and/or the lubricant flow rate is adjusted in dependence on the location of said values with respect to said intervals. It finds application in all machines for casting material between rolls in which there is a wish to achieve a maximum level of productivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for sand molding composite articles formed of a light alloy metal and fibrous insert. A sand mold is formed containing a fibrous preform separated from the walls of the mold cavity. The mold is fed by means of a tube dipping into a liquid metallic bath therebelow. In the molding process, the pressure in the mold cavity and above the bath are reduced, and the pressure above the bath is increased to create a positive pressure differential .DELTA.P, thereby forcing molten metal from the bath into the mold cavity. The pressure in the mold cavity and above the bath are then increased to above atmospheric, and the pressure differential .DELTA.P is maintained until the metal in the mold cavity solidifies.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheets of aluminium alloy containing magnesium, suitable for producing bodies of cans by drawing and ironing, and a method of obtaining said sheets.The sheets are characterized in that they have, over 10 to 25% of their surface, uniformly distributed particles formed by amorphous aluminium oxides and crystalline magnesium and aluminium oxides, in the form of flat discs less than 5 microns thick and with a mean diameter distributed round a means value from 2 to 15 microns.One of the methods of obtaining said sheets is characterized in that the strip is taken as it comes from the casting machine or after at least one rolling pass and subjected to chemical etching so as to reduce its thickness by a maximum of 2 microns, before being annealed in air at from 330.degree. to 450.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: An armchair whose arms and backrest are joined by an elastic element, while the backrest extends well above the arms so that the pressure generated by the user leaning back against the backrest causes it to bend or deflect, thus improving comfort.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aluminum alloy for thin metal sheets suitable for the production of can lids and bodies, and to a process for manufacturing such metal sheets. The alloy contains, in percent by weight:from 0.8 to 1.8 manganesefrom 1 to 2 siliconfrom 0.7 to 3 magnesiumless than 0.7 ironless than 0.5 copperless than 0.5 chromium; andremainder aluminium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the level of the line of contact between the mold and the free surface of the metal in the vertical continuous casting of products of any cross-section in an ingot-mold, which includes the step of applying to the solidifying metal, by means of an electric circuit surrounding the mold, a periodic magnetic field of variable intensity having a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the mold. According to the invention, the magnetic field applied to the mold is varied over a portion of the periphery of the metal. This can be done by modifying the distance between electric circuit creating the magnetic field and the mold, by changing the vertical positioning of the circuit, or by varying the shape of the profile of the circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to aluminum based alloys essentially containing Cu, Li and Mg, which have very high specific mechanical strength and can be used particularly to obtain heat treated articles of complex shapes. The analyses are as follows (as % by weight): Cu 2.4 to 3.5%, Li 1.9 to 2.7%; Mg from 0 to 0.8%; and up to: 0.20% Fe; 0.10% Si; 1% Mn; 0.30% Cr; 0.2% Zr; 0.1% Ti 0.02% Be preferably with the following limitation: 4.8.ltoreq.% Cu+% Li+% (Mg/2).ltoreq.6.0. In the treated state the alloys have very high specific mechanical strength (Vickers hardness/density>70), even in the absence of any plastic deformation between quench and temper, thus justifying their use inter alia for components of complex shapes such as cast or stamped parts.

Abstract: A connection between a circular cylindrical tube and a plate or sleeve includes a housing extending along an axis from an inlet opening in a surface of the plate or sleeve and a circular cylindrical tube having an end fittable in the housing. The housing includes a first cylindrical truncated cone extending to the inlet opening and having a vertex angle .beta. with respect to the axis of between 5.degree. and 20.degree., and a second oval truncated cone coaxial with the first cone and connected thereto. The second cone has generatrices forming an angle .alpha. of between 0.5.degree. and 5.degree. with respect to the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the deformational transformation of aluminum and its alloys comprising the steps of deforming the aluminum in the solid state and annealing the deformed aluminum at a temperature at which recrystallization occurs. The recrystallization temperature of the aluminum is raised and the grain size is minimized by adding to the aluminim 5 to 1000 ppm uranium prior to the deformation. The method is particularly applicable to the production of aluminum based sheets intended to be subjected to heating at a relatively high temperature, for example the heating which accompanies enamelling or brazing operations, where the heating operation could change the mechanical properties of the sheets.

Abstract: A weldable aluminum alloy workable into sheet form containing Si, Mg and Cu, and a process for its production are disclosed.The alloy comprises (in percent by weight) proportions of Si and Mg as defined by a trapezium having the following co-ordinates:______________________________________ Si Mg ______________________________________ (A) 0.5 0.1 (B) 0.5 0.2 (C) 1.3 0.5 (D) 1.3 0.1 ______________________________________Cu: 0.1-0.5;Mn: 0-0.2;Ti: 0-0.1;Fe: 0-0.35;other impurites each: .ltoreq.0.05total impurity content: .ltoreq.0.15balance Al.The production procedure comprises semi-continuous or continuous casting of blanks, an optional homogenisation operation, a hot transformation operation which is terminated in the range of 270.degree. to 340.degree. C., an optional cold transformation operation, a complete solution treatment, a shaping operation using stamping or pressing, folding, bending, etc . . . , and a tempering operation.