Abstract: A waterproof electrical connector system enables quick and easy coupling of a first and second housing to electrically connect a first and second electrical cable connected thereto. The electrical cables extend into a fixed portion of the housings and are electrically coupled with a bridging connector that is configured in a rotating portion of the housing. The assembly of the first and second housings has a latch and latch extension that can be moved along a radial portion of a latch channel to a circumferential portion of the latch channel to enable the rotating portions of the housings to be rotated. Upon rotating the rotating portions, the electrical cables are electrically connected by the bridging connector. The two housings may be substantially the same, having the same components and the same geometry. Each housing may have an inner and outer latch channel and latch interface, making operation quick and easy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma generating device that comprises at least one very high frequency source (>100 MHz) connected via an impedance adaptation device to an elongated conductor attached on a dielectric substrate, at least one means for cooling said conductor, and at least one gas supply in the vicinity of the dielectric substrate on a side opposite to that bearing the conductor. The invention also relates to plasma torches using said device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma generating device that comprises at least one very high frequency source (>100 MHz) connected via an impedance adaptation device to an elongated conductor attached on a dielectric substrate, at least one means for cooling said conductor, and at least one gas supply in the vicinity of the dielectric substrate on a side opposite to that bearing the conductor. The invention also relates to plasma torches using said device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for CVD on a substrate under atmospheric pressure, characterized in that it is assisted by a very-high-frequency plasma generated by a field applicator with an elongated conductor of the micro-ribbon or hollow conducting line type. The invention also relates to the use thereof for applying an electrically conductive inorganic layer on elements of vehicle bodywork, particularly the bumpers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave plasma exciter device which includes a waveguide (23) for concentrating the microwaves; and a plasma generator (110, 120) for forming a plasma, which are disposed in a microwave concentration zone.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for treating gases such as PFC or HFC with plasma, comprising: (6) pumping means (6) whereof the outlet is at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, plasma generator (8), at the pump output, to produce a plasma at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for destroying effluents issuing from a reactor, the said effluents being transported through at least one pump towards plasma means capable of destroying at least certain bonds in the molecules of the PFC or HFC type between the fluorine and the other elements of these molecules of the PFC or HFC type, in order to generate first species which are then converted to second gaseous, liquid or solid species before interaction of these second species with dry or wet purifying means. According to the invention, at least one reducing agent is injected upstream and/or downstream of the plasma, but upstream of the purifying means, in order to react with the first species created.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave plasma exciter device comprising: a waveguide containing means (23) for concentrating the microwaves; and means (110, 120) for forming a plasma, which are disposed in a microwave concentration zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the conversion of a gas or gas mixture and, in particular, a fluorinated gaseous effluent. According to the invention, at least one bond between two atoms of at least one molecule of the gas or gas mixture is broken under the influence of an electric and/or magnetic field to which the gas or gas mixture is subjected. The gas or gas mixture stream is injected through the electric and/or magnetic field in a non-rectilinear manner in order to increase the distance travelled by the gas molecules through the field and, in this way, increase the effectiveness of the conversion of the gas or gas mixture molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to viable and stable probiotic formulations for intestinal targeting made of microspheres comprising each a core of one or more probiotic bacteria, microcrystallline cellulose with a degree of polymerization from 165-365 and mean diameter from 45 to 180 ?m, a disintegrant and a stabilizer, the core being coated with a non-enteric coating and further coated with an enteric coating. Each probiotic microsphere has a residual moisture level of less than 5% and a water activity (aw) between 0.1 and 0.5. Such a probiotic microsphere shows no reduction in viable bacteria after one hour in simulated gastric fluid. The present invention also relates to the process of preparing such formulation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for treating gases such as PFC or HFC with plasma, comprising: (6) pumping means (6) thereof the outlet is at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure, means (8), at the pump output, to produce a plasmas at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A section of pipe, for a device for treating a gas by exciting the latter by way of incident microwave radiation suitable for producing a surface-wave plasma in the gas, including a discharge tube made of dielectric material intended to pass through the device in a region for concentrating the incident radiation. The tube comprises, over at least part of its length, a double wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the dry surface treatment of at least one metal surface portion, according to which the portion is treated at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure by a gaseous treatment atmosphere comprising excited or unstable species and substantially devoid of electrically charged species, obtained from a primary gaseous mixture and if necessary an adjacent gaseous mixture, the primary gaseous mixture being obtained at the gas outlet of at least one device for the production of excited or unstable gaseous species, in which an initial gaseous mixture comprising an inert gas and/or a reducing gas and/or an oxidizing gas has been converted, the adjacent mixture not having passed through the device.

Abstract: The gas mixture leaving the laser apparatus (1) is recycled to a permeator (45) which separates it into two flows. The discharge from the permeator is expanded in an expansion turbine (27) coupled to a compressor (35) for exerting suction on the recycled mixture, which makes it possible to obtain the desired reduced pressure in the laser apparatus. Applications to power laser apparatuses with nitrogen/carbon dioxide mixture, intended for cutting materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing disilane from monosilane, according to which gaseous monosilane is passed into a reaction zone where it is subject to an electric discharge generated by a high-frequency current.

Abstract: A process for producing disilane from monosilane comprising introducing monosilane into a reaction zone in which the monosilane is subjected to an electric discharge generated by a high frequency current. The monosilane is mixed with at least one inert gas selected from the group consisting of helium and argon. The pressure of the gaseous mixture in the reaction zone is between 0.1 and 3 bar, and the gaseous mixture is contacted in the reaction zone under electric discharge with a wall cooled to a temperature which is sufficiently low for the saturation vapor pressure of the disilane to be negligible, but not low enough for the monosilane to condense at the working partial pressure. Apparatus for conducting this process is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the formation of excited or unstable gaseous molecules, comprising a tubular gas passage (5) having an axis, formed between a first electrode (1) and a dielectric tube (3) coaxial to the first electrode and supporting a second electrode (4), the electrodes being connected to a high voltage high frequency source (13). The first electrode (1) surrounds the dielectric tube (3) and comprises an elongated gas inlet (7) and outlet (8) parallel to the axis and diametrically opposed to each other on opposite sides of the dielectric tube (3). The second electrode (4) is a layer of metal applied to the internal wall of the dielectric tube (3). The second electrode (4)is formed by metallization of the internal wall of the dielectric tube (3). The gas inlet (7) and outlet (8) have a height not exceeding the radial thickness (e) of the gas passage (5). The external wall of the dielectric tube is covered with a thin layer (21) of enamel.

Abstract: Mixing power laser apparatus, comprising a generator of a flow of excited nitrogen (1), and structure (6; 19) to introduce a flow of CO.sub.2 into the flow of excited nitrogen. The generator (1) is of the cold corona electric discharge type operating at a pressure greater than 0.3.times.10.sup.5 Pa, and is coupled to a waveguide (2) with mirrors (3, 4) opposed along a principal direction of the waveguide. For use particularly in cutting material.

Abstract: An intelligent control system for directing a process for curing parts made of fiber-reinforced composite material in an autoclave. The system uses data gathered during the curing processing to calculate repetitively the temperature of the autoclave required to establish and maintain a predetermined cure temperature. The system accounts for heat generated by the exothermal reaction of the resin during polymerization. The control recalculates an optimal autoclave temperature at periodic intervals during the cure cycle on the basis of temperature data from the part being cured and temperature within the autoclave. The optimal autoclave temperature is determined from calculated values representing resin heat, maximum offset, lag time and degree of cure of the resin.

Abstract: A power laser has a cavity (2) delimited at its opposite ends by a first partially transmitting window (3) and a second reflecting window ( 4). The first window (3) is constituted by at least one diamond wafer (5) with uncoated flat parallel surfaces, having a controlled thickness whose variations do not exceed 0.2 micron. The diamond wafer (5; 6) is mounted in an annular support (9; 10) of material which is a good heat conductor and is provided with a cooler (11; 12). The window (3) can comprise two parallel wafers (5.sub.A, 5.sub.B) of diamond separated by a calibrated distance (14) which is an uneven multiple of .lambda./4n, .lambda. being the laser wavelength and n the index of refraction of the medium between the wafers. Or the second window (4) can also be constituted by a diamond wafer (6) with a reflective metallic coating (60). A sweeping gas can be blown over the internal surface of at least one of the windows.