Abstract: A power-off emergency braking system, or parking brake system is presented in which, at each power-up, energy is stored in the structure of the brake so as to ensure the power-off application of the brake and the holding of same in the event of an interruption to the power supply of the device.

Abstract: A power-off emergency braking system, or parking brake system is presented in which, at each power-up, energy is stored in the structure of the brake so as to ensure the power-off application of the brake and the holding of same in the event of an interruption to the power supply of the device.

Abstract: Herein presented is a new, versatile fusion protein tool (tag) to improve the solubility and purification of proteins. Particularly, the fusion tag is the substantially full-length (about 23 kD) Recoverin molecule (TagR) that is used for protein purification in a single step, even in the presence of detergents.

Abstract: A device for uncoupling a drill string, the device including, in a longitudinal direction: a first structure that is intended to be attached to a drill string tube; a second structure that is intended to hold a cutting tool for drilling and is translatable relative to the first structure; and a thruster assembly between the first structure and the second structure. The thruster assembly is configured to exert a thrusting force on the second structure to separate the second structure from the first structure, the thrusting force being constant for every position of the second structure relative to the first structure.

Abstract: A device for uncoupling a drill string, the device including, in a longitudinal direction: a first structure that is intended to be attached to a drill string tube; a second structure that is intended to hold a cutting tool for drilling and is translatable relative to the first structure; and a thruster assembly between the first structure and the second structure. The thruster assembly is configured to exert a thrusting force on the second structure to separate the second structure from the first structure, the thrusting force being constant for every position of the second structure relative to the first structure.

Abstract: Clamping means which may be used with soldering pliers, having a first element (18) and a second element (20) relatively displaceable by the action of a screw (10) that can be rotated about an axis (XX) by the action of a motor (M); a nut (12) cooperating with the screw (10) and which can be driven in the direction of the screw axis (XX), the screw being coupled to the first element (18); first guiding means (34L) defining linear guidance parallel to the axis (XX) of the screw to prevent rotation of the nut (12) in a first phase of displacement of the nut; and second helicoidal guiding means (34H) extending with the axis (XX) of the screw (12) and which has an thread inverted in relation to the screw thread to allow the nut (12) to rotate in the same direction of rotation as the screw (10) in a second nut displacement phase; in addition to a compensation system (46) arranged between the first element (18) and a mobile support (14) coupled to the nut (12) in order to reinitialize the position of the first elem

Abstract: The clamping or gripping tool comprises a first member (18) and a second member which are capable of relative movement under the action of a drive system of the screw-nut type, the said nut being incapable of translational movement relative to the first member (18), and a compensation system (46) inserted between the first member (18) and a movable support (14) secured to the nut (12) to reset the position of this first member (18) with respect to the second member. The compensation system comprises a compensating disc (68) that rotates as one with a hub (50) screwed around the movable support (14), a measurement disc (80) mounted on the movable support (14) via a freewheel mechanism (76) and at least one energy-storing spring (74) inserted between the compensating disc (68) and the measurement disc (80) so that the memorizing of the degree of wear of the component parts is materialized in the relative angular position of the measurement disc (80) with respect to the movable support (14).

Abstract: The clamping or gripping tool comprises a first member (18) and a second member which are capable of relative movement under the action of a drive system of the screw-nut type, the said nut being incapable of translational movement relative to the first member (18), and a compensation system (46) inserted between the first member (18) and a movable support (14) secured to the nut (12) to reset the position of this first member (18) with respect to the second member. The compensation system comprises a compensating disc (68) that rotates as one with a hub (50) screwed around the movable support (14), a measurement disc (80) mounted on the movable support (14) via a freewheel mechanism (76) and at least one energy-storing spring (74) inserted between the compensating disc (68) and the measurement disc (80) so that the memorizing of the degree of wear of the component parts is materialized in the relative angular position of the measurement disc (80) with respect to the movable support (14).

Abstract: A device for balancing a force. The device includes an articulated mechanism (10). The articulated mechanism (10) includes a proximal arm (12) borne by a support wedged on a first hinge pin (20) and a distal arm (14) borne by the proximal arm and wedged on a second hinge pin (24) extending parallel to the first pin. The distal arm has a free end (26) supporting a load (F). The device further includes first balancing means (18,20) with high bandwidth acting on the proximal arm (12), second balancing means (18,22) with high bandwidth acting on the distal arm (4), and coordinating means interposed between the first balancing means and the second balancing means to coordinate rotational movements of the proximal arm and the distal arm.

Abstract: The clamping tool comprises a first element (18) and a second element (20) capable of relative displacement as a result of the action of a drive device comprising a screw (10) having a given screw thread such that it can be rotationally driven about an axis (XX) in one direction or in a direction opposite thereto as a result of the action of a motor (M); a nut (12) cooperating with the screw (10) and which can be rotationaly driven in the direction of the axis (XX) of the screw, said screw being translationally coupled to the first element (18); first guiding means (34L) defining linear guidance parallel to the axis (XX) of the screw in order to rotationally block the nut (12) in a first phase of displacement of the nut; and second guiding means (34H) defining helicoidal guidance extending according to the axis (XX) of the screw (12) and which has an inverted thread in relation to the thread of the screw in order to enable the nut (12) to rotate in the same direction of rotation as the screw (10) in a second

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a screw (10) with pitch (P1) driven by a motor (M), a nut (12) co-operating with the screw (10) and designed to be driven in translation in the direction of the screw axis, said nut being integral in translation with a member (14), guide means (22L, 24L) defining a linear guiding to lock the rotation of the nut in a first phase of displacement, second guide means (22H, 24H) defining a helical guiding having a reverse pitch (P2) relative to the pitch of the screw to enable the transverse pitch and hence the translational speed of the nut to be decreased in said second phase of displacement. The inventive device can be used to produce a relative displacement between the members (16 and 28) of a clamping tool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a handling device comprising, in combination, a mechanical equilibrium mechanism (10) with low reaction time, having an arm (20) whereof the proximal end (22) is locked on a pivot pin (18) and whereof the distal (26) is adapted to support a load (10), a force sensor (30) positioned in a selected site for detecting apparent weight variation the load (10) resulting from a force being exerted on said load in response to an operator's movement, servo feed-back means (32) actuated by the force sensor (30), and an actuator (34) controlled by the servo feed-back means (32) and connected to the arm to assist the operator's movement. The invention is applicable in particular to robot arms or the like.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for displacing a load (14) comprising a mobile support (12) adapted to support a load and exert on the load a force in a given direction, and device for mechanical balancing (10) interposed between the mobile support (12) and the load (14) so as to compensate the weight of the load and allow movements of slight amplitude of the load in a direction parallel to the load. The device is particularly useful for manoeuvring stakes, such as sheet piles and the like. The balancing device (10) can alternatively be integrated between the mobile support (12) and a vibration generator (46) to isolate the support from the vibrations generated by the vibration generator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a screw (10) with pitch (P1) driven by a motor (M), a nut (12) co-operating with the screw (10) and designed to be driven in translation in the direction of the screw axis, said nut being integral in translation with a member (14), guide means (22L, 24L) defining a linear guiding to lock the rotation of the nut in a first phase of displacement, second guide means (22H, 24H) defining a helical guiding having a reverse pitch (P2) relative to the pitch of the screw to enable the transverse pitch and hence the translational speed of the nut to be decreased in said second phase of displacement. The inventive device can be used to produce a relative displacement between the members (16 and 28) of a clamping tool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for balancing a force comprising an articulated mechanism (10) consisting of a proximal arm (12) borne by a support wedged on a first hinge pin (20) and a distal arm (14) borne by the proximal arm and wedged on a second hinge pin (24) extending parallel to the first pin, the distal arm having a free end (26) supporting a load (F). The device further comprises first balancing means (18, 20) with high bandwidth acting on the proximal arm (12), second balancing means (18, 22) with high bandwidth acting on the distal arm (4), and co-ordinating means interposed between the first balancing means and the second balancing means to co-ordinate the respective rotational movements of the proximal arm and of the distal arm. The invention is applicable to mechanical manipulators, to transfer devices and to railway pantographs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for displacing a load (14) comprising a mobile support (12) adapted to support a load and exert on said load a force in a given direction, and means for mechanical balancing (10) interposed between the mobile support (12) and the load (14) so as to compensate the weight of the load and allow movements of slight amplitude of the load in a direction parallel to the load. The device is particularly useful for manoeuvring stakes, such as sheet piles and the like. The balancing means (10) can alternatively be integrated between the mobile support (12) and a vibration generator (46) to isolate said support from the vibrations generated by the vibration generator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a handling device comprising, in combination, a mechanical equilibrium mechanism (10) with low reaction time, having an arm (20) whereof the proximal end (22) is locked on a pivot pin (18) and whereof the distal end (26) is adapted to support a load (10), a force sensor (30) positioned in a selected site for detecting apparent weight variation of the load (10) resulting from a force being exerted on said load in response to an operator's movement, servo feed-back means (32) actuated by the force sensor (30), and an actuator (34) controlled by the servo feed-back means (32) and connected to the arm (20) to assist the operator's movement. The invention is applicable in particular to robot arms or the like.

Abstract: A device for transforming motion, and in particular a speed reduction gear, comprises a first stage comprising two moving members (50, 60) at least one of which is functionally coupled to a shaft (74) generating a rotary motion; a second stage comprising at least one set of two pulleys (54, 54) constrained to rotate together, and co-operating with respective transmission means, for example two endless drive strands (52, 64) which co-operate with the moving members of the first stage; and a moving support (26) which supports the two pulleys of the second stage to rotate freely and which is displaced over an imposed trajectory, thereby generating a second motion, with the first motion being a high speed motion and the second motion being a slow motion.

Abstract: A device for balancing the forces acting on a robot arm (10) hinged to rotate about an axis (A), said device comprising an even number of auxiliary parts (24.sub.1, 24.sub.2) hinged about respective mutually parallel axes (B.sub.1, B.sub.2) which are also parallel to the axis (A) of the arm, with each of said parts supporting two transverse arms (28,30) whose ends are suitable for bearing against a rectilinear portion (48) of a moving member (50) subjected to a return force towards an initial position, the auxiliary parts (24.sub.1, 24.sub.2) being driven at angular speeds which are equal in absolute value but which are in opposite directions in pairs, said speeds also being equal to one half of the angular speed of the robot arm.

Abstract: A device for transforming motion, and in particular a speed reduction gear, comprises a first stage comprising two moving members (50, 60) at least one of which is functionally coupled to a shaft (74) generating a rotary motion; a second stage comprising at least one set of two pulleys (54, 54) constrained to rotate together, and co-operating with respective transmission means, for example two endless drive strands (52, 64) which co-operate with the moving members of the first stage; and a moving support (26) which supports the two pulleys of the second stage to rotate freely and which is displaced over an imposed trajectory, thereby generating a second motion, with the first motion being a high speed motion and the second motion being a slow motion.