Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering column having a manual control apparatus for applying a torque to the transmission shaft of the column, said column being provided with means of measuring the torque applied to said transmission shaft, the means of measuring the applied torque comprising a means generating magnetic pulses and a device for detecting these pulses, in which the detection device comprises a plurality of aligned sensitive elements.

Abstract: A torque sensor to determine the torque exerted on an assembly comprising a component generating magnetic impulses, with this sensor comprising a number of aligned sensor components divided into two subassemblies, the signals emitted by such subassemblies being processed by an electronic circuit capable of delivering an analog signal as a function of the torque exerted. The invention also proposes a process for processing the signals emitted by such a sensor.

Abstract: A device for measuring the rotation of a rotating element which contains a magnetic encoder which turns with the rotating element and a sensor integrated with a support which is immobilized in terms of rotation. The magnetic encoder is maintained in close proximity to the sensor by the application of magnetic attraction forces between the magnetic encoder and the support, which is produced, at least partially, out of magnetic material.

Abstract: A fixed sensor has two sensing elements delivering sinusoidal signals .GAMMA., and is mounted in front of the magnetized face of an annular multipolar encoder. The axis (.delta..sub.C) of the sensor (5) having the centers of the two sensing elements (51 and 52) is located at a distance (R.sub.0) from the axis (.delta..sub.R) of rotation of the encoder (4), and the encoder (4) has on its magnetized face (6) 2 m magnetic transitions between poles of opposite polarities, north and south, in the form of spirals, whose tracing is obtained by successive rotations by angles .pi./m of the first transition around the center (0) of the encoder, defined in polar coordinates (.mu., .theta.

Abstract: A multipole magnetic encoder is movable past two fixed analog sensors delivering sinusoidal signals (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) phase-shifted by .pi./2. A generator produces 2n sinusoidal signals (S.sub.i) of the same amplitude (A) as the signals (S.sub.1, S.sub.2), phase-shifted by .pi./n. An analog multiplexer delivers a signal (S) consisting of 2n successive portions of signals (S.sub.i). An acquisition device determines a maximum envelope (E) of the signals (S.sub.i). Two of switching thresholds (L.sub.i) and (L.sub.j) are generated proportional to the envelope (E). Two comparators compare the signal (S) with the thresholds (L.sub.i) and (L.sub.j), and deliver binary signals (A.sub.i) and (B.sub.j). Two combining devices combine the binary signals (A.sub.i) and (B.sub.j), each delivering a high resolution signal of 2m*n periods in the interval of one period of one of the sensors.

Abstract: A seal with internal reinforcement is mountable on a stationary ring of a bearing, an insulating film with conductive tracks being fixed to the reinforcement. A sensor element, for sensing an encoder element carried by a rotating ring of the bearing, contacts the insulating film and the conductive tracks. Constitutive material of the seal covers at least a portion of the reinforcement and the insulating film and provides protection for the conductive tracks and sensor element. Connecting devices for passing wiring through the reinforcement are also described.

Abstract: Two magnetic field generators are located symmetrically to each other in a first plane perpendicular to a shaft, and two magnetic field detectors are immobilized in a second plane perpendicular to the shaft. The magnetic field detectors provide a signal proportional to the torsional moment as a result of angular shift of the magnetic field generators with respect to the magnetic field detectors. The magnetic field generators have a magnetized structure with antiparallel magnetization directions and are supported by a first disk mounted on the shaft and are placed at the end of a first hub which surrounds the shaft. The first hub supports a bearing for mounting a second hub and second disk, which is axially shifted and to which the magnetic field detectors are rigidly attached.

Abstract: A device for measuring the torque of a shaft which uses two magnetic field sensors located between two coaxial magnetic encoders. The magnetic field sensors are angularly displaced by one-fourth of the period of magnetic field.

Abstract: Bearing or roller bearing with information sensor, of the type comprising a stationary element carrying at least one magnetic field sensor device and one rotating element carrying a multipole magnetized ring coaxial to said moving element, which rotates in front of the sensor device and in which the ring is mounted in a support carried by said rotating element and is separated from the sensor device by an air gap, characterized in that the ring is provided with circumferentially distributed notches.

Abstract: Automobile wheel hub comprising a bearing with rolling elements in a housing in said hub and a device for sensing information, the coding element of which moves integrally with the hub and rotates in front of a stationary sensor, characterized in that the coding element is integrated into the bearing seal and that the sensing element, integral with a support which is stationary with respect to the wheel, is coaxial to the coding element in a radial position essentially equal to the value of the radius of the coding element and longitudinally shifted by a maximum value corresponding to the air gap allowed by the technology of the sensor.

Abstract: Automobile wheel hub comprising a bearing with rolling elements in a housing in said hub and a device for sensing information, the coding element of which moves integrally with the hub and rotates in front of a stationary sensor, characterized in that the coding element is integrated into the bearing seal and that the sensing element, integral with a support which is stationary with respect to the wheel, is coaxial to the coding element in a radial position essentially equal to the value of the radius of the coding element and longitudinally shifted by a maximum value corresponding to the air gap allowed by the technology of the sensor.

Abstract: Bearing or roller bearing with information sensor, of the type comprising a stationary element carrying at least one magnetic field sensor device and one rotating element carrying a multipole magnetized ring coaxial to the rotating element, which rotates in front of the sensor device and in which the ring is mounted in a support carried by the rotating element and is separated from the sensor device by an air gap, characterized in that the ring is provided with circumferentially distributed notches.

Abstract: Rolling bearing assembly with sensor device of the type comprising at least one fixed ring, one rotating ring, rolling elements placed between said rings, a coding element co-rotating with the rotating ring, and a sensing element forming a unit with the fixed ring, characterized in that the coding element is placed in a circular groove on the face of a disk rotating in front of the sensor element mounted on the face of another, stationary disk.

Abstract: Knee joint prosthesis of the type including a first and second element (1, 2) capable of being secured rigidly to the bones connected by the joint. The first element (1) carries a clevis (3) through which the axis XX' of a bending pivot (4) passes. The second element (2) carries an eye (5) introduced between the legs of the clevis (3). The pivot (4) includes a pin (41) carrying on the outside a bearing ring (43) fitted in the eye (5) of the joint and lateral stops (44, 44') with a diameter corresponding to that of the ring (43), respectively fitted in the clevis (3).

Abstract: Product usable for manufacturing industrial articles such as friction linings for clutches and brakes. This product comprises a fine fibrous steel powder having a loose density of 0.2 to 1.5 g/c.c. with a carbon content of 0.95 to 1.10% by weight, the chromium content by weight ranging from 1.30% to 1.60%. The powder has a micrographic structure which, when observed in a plane intersecting a metal particle, shows a fine distribution of iron and chromium spherular carbides having the formula (Fe, Cr).sub.3 C in a mixed high-strength martensite and deformable austenite matrix.