Abstract: A piezoelectric device comprises a fixed frame and a mirror carrier defining several support points securing a mirror. The mirror carrier is mounted rotatable. Several piezoelectric actuators are fixed to the support and deform independently in translation in a first direction. Each piezoelectric actuator moves the support area of the mirror carrier. The mirror carrier defines several attachment points. Each attachment point connects the mirror carrier mechanically with a piezoelectric actuator. The support points and attachment points are distinct from one another. The mirror carrier defines a plurality of flexion areas. The support points are movable with respect to one another. The piezoelectric actuators supplied in push-pull mode drive the support points making the mirror rotate perpendicularly to the first direction.

Abstract: The actuator comprises a movable armature swivelling with respect to a stator provided with flanges on which magnets are fitted and a coil fitted around one of the flanges. The magnets have an axial magnetisation in a z axis and are aligned in an x axis. The movable armature is arranged between the magnets in the x axis. The movable armature is mounted on a guide imposing swivelling around a y axis perpendicular to the x and z axes. The movable armature is separated from the magnets by air-gaps. Each magnet forms a static magnetic circuit with one end of the movable armature and one of the flanges. The coil forms a dynamic magnetic circuit with the ends of the movable armature and the flanges.

Abstract: The actuator comprises a movable armature swivelling with respect to a stator provided with flanges on which magnets are fitted and a coil fitted around one of the flanges. The magnets have an axial magnetisation in a z axis and are aligned in an x axis. The movable armature is arranged between the magnets in the x axis. The movable armature is mounted on a guide imposing swivelling around a y axis perpendicular to the x and z axes. The movable armature is separated from the magnets by air-gaps. Each magnet forms a static magnetic circuit with one end of the movable armature and one of the flanges. The coil forms a dynamic magnetic circuit with the ends of the movable armature and the flanges.

Abstract: The ultrasonic tubular transducer is activated at the centre thereof by two symmetrical electromechanical converters. The vibration generated by the two electromechanical converters is converted and then transmitted to the tube via a coupler. The ultrasonic transducer can be vibrationally isolated from the interfaces thereof by caps equally suitable for connecting the transducer to a stationary frame, a free end or another similar ultrasonic transducer. A device for pre-stressing electromechanical converters has a hole bored at the centre thereof in order to allow cables from the transducer as well as from adjacent transducers to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A system, which is structured to evaluate a condition of a tire, includes a housing, a tire-wear detector, a tire-presence detector, and an electronic activator. The housing, when the system is deployed, is placed on a ground surface. The tire-presence detector detects a presence of a tire on the housing. The electronic activator activates the tire-wear detector when the tire-presence detector detects the presence of the tire on the housing. The tire-wear detector, when activated, detects a wear condition of the tire when the tire passes over the housing.

Abstract: The ultrasonic tubular transducer is activated at the centre thereof by two symmetrical electromechanical converters. The vibration generated by the two electromechanical converters is converted and then transmitted to the tube via a coupler. The ultrasonic transducer can be vibrationally isolated from the interfaces thereof by caps equally suitable for connecting the transducer to a stationary frame, a free end or another similar ultrasonic transducer. A device for pre-stressing electromechanical converters has a hole bored at the centre thereof in order to allow cables from the transducer as well as from adjacent transducers to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A nanometer-scale precision actuator comprises a base, an intermediate structure, an output interface, and two linear elements producing a controllable extension in the same longitudinal direction, each between a first and a second end. A first of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed onto the base, a second of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed to the output interface. The base and the intermediate structure are positioned in such a manner that the controllable extension of the second element produces a displacement of the actuator in a first direction and the controllable extension of the first element produces a displacement of the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, with respect to the base.

Abstract: A system, which is structured to evaluate a condition of a tire, includes a housing, a tire-wear detector, a tire-presence detector, and an electronic activator. The housing, when the system is deployed, is placed on a ground surface. The tire-presence detector detects a presence of a tire on the housing. The electronic activator activates the tire-wear detector when the tire-presence detector detects the presence of the tire on the housing. The tire-wear detector, when activated, detects a wear condition of the tire when the tire passes over the housing.

Abstract: A nanometer-scale precision actuator comprises a base, an intermediate structure, an output interface, and two linear elements producing a controllable extension in the same longitudinal direction, each between a first and a second end. A first of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed onto the base, a second of the two elements has a first end fixed onto the intermediate structure and a second end fixed to the output interface. The base and the intermediate structure are positioned in such a manner that the controllable extension of the second element produces a displacement of the actuator in a first direction and the controllable extension of the first element produces a displacement of the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, with respect to the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fine positioning system using an inertial motor based on a mechanical amplifier that comprises a first amplified inertial sub-assembly including a mechanical amplifier, a piezoactive member and a countermass. A second relative drive sub-assembly includes a clamp and a clamped member attached to the first amplified inertial sub-assembly. Asymmetric excitation cycles of the first inertial sub-assembly generate impact forces and movements amplified in a driving direction (z), thus resulting in sliding and adhesion successions of the clamped member in the clamp in order to generate a relative translation movements of the points A and B relative to the point D. The mechanical amplifier increases the step size and reduces the supply inrush currents. Fine and dynamic positioning of the point B relative to the point D can be achieved with augmented strokes using the amplifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fine positioning system using an inertial motor based on a mechanical amplifier that comprises a first amplified inertial sub-assembly including a mechanical amplifier, a piezoactive member and a countermass. A second relative drive sub-assembly includes a clamp and a clamped member attached to the first amplified inertial sub-assembly. Asymmetric excitation cycles of the first inertial sub-assembly generate impact forces and movements amplified in a driving direction (z), thus resulting in sliding and adhesion successions of the clamped member in the clamp in order to generate a relative translation movements of the points A and B relative to the point D. The mechanical amplifier increases the step size and reduces the supply inrush currents. Fine and dynamic positioning of the point B relative to the point D can be achieved with augmented strokes using the amplifier.

Abstract: The inventive circuit breaker-contactor (1) comprises a fixed contact, a contact (5) movable (19, 21) with respect to the fixed contact between open and closed positions, means (7) for displacing the movable contact (5) in the closed position thereof, means (9) for displacing the movable contact in the open position.

Abstract: The inventive circuit breaker-contactor (1) comprises a fixed contact, a contact (5) movable (19, 21) with respect to the fixed contact between open and closed positions, means (7) for displacing the movable contact (5) in the closed position thereof, means (9) for displacing the movable contact in the open position.

Abstract: The piezoactive actuator with amplified movement comprises a first sub-assembly formed by a mechanical movement amplifier and a second sub-assembly equipped with piezoactive elements. An interface with a load and an interface with a base, respectively placed at the peaks of a small axis of the shell and designed for actuating the load with respect to the base, define an actuating axis. A longitudinal deformation of the large axis enables a deformation of the small axis to be induced, designed to generate a movement at the interface with the load, the component of which movement along the small axis is amplified. At least one zone made of elastomer material is arranged at least substantially along the actuating axis to dampen deformations and increase the capacity of the actuator to resist external stresses. The actuator comprises at least one free space adjacent to the elastomer material zones in a direction orthogonal to the actuating axis.

Abstract: The piezoactive actuator with amplified movement comprises a first sub-assembly formed by a mechanical movement amplifier and a second sub-assembly equipped with piezoactive elements. An interface with a load and an interface with a base, respectively placed at the peaks of a small axis of the shell and designed for actuating the load with respect to the base, define an actuating axis. A longitudinal deformation of the large axis enables a deformation of the small axis to be induced, designed to generate a movement at the interface with the load, the component of which movement along the small axis is amplified. At least one zone made of elastomer material is arranged at least substantially along the actuating axis to dampen deformations and increase the capacity of the actuator to resist external stresses. The actuator comprises at least one free space adjacent to the elastomer material zones in a direction orthogonal to the actuating axis.

Abstract: A piezoactive motor has a stator equipped with independent stator modules 44, each comprising at least one pair of longitudinal piezoactive actuators 12, 14 colinearly arranged inside a mechanical coupling element 16 in the form of a shell 20. In addition, it is fixed by flexible decoupling links 68, 70 and comprises a central countermass 18. To produce a closed trajectory of the peaks (A and B) designed to cause by friction relative movement of a driven part over a large travel distance, and to position the driven part, these modules use separately or in combination:translational deformation, obtained when the piezoactive actuators are deformed in opposition and produce a tangential movement of the peaks (A and B) of the shell (20) relatively to the countermass (18), due to the mass ratio between the countermass and the shell,flexional deformation, obtained when the piezoactive actuators are deformed in the same way and produce a flexion of the shell (20), resulting in a normal movement of the peaks A and B.

Abstract: Traveling-wave piezoelectric motor comprising at least one rotor (20, 21), at least one annular stator (27, 28) and two groups of piezoelectric elements (29) dispersed around the stator, in permanent contact with the stator and excited by an alternating current with a .pi./2 phase shift between the groups so as to produce, at the surface of the stator, a traveling wavelike deformation. Piezoelectric elements consist of mutually independent polarized ceramic bars (29) arranged perpendicularly to the stator and each connected to the stator by an articulation (14).

Abstract: The stator of the motor comprises a support structure bearing at least one pair of transducers each including a vibrating element, the transducers being located colinearly and excited so their vibrating elements vibrate at one and the same frequency, but with a phase shift of 90.degree., and a coupling shell to which the vibrations are applied, and at least one rotor frictionally driven by the coupling shell. The coupling shell is of closed shape and is fixed at two opposed points on its major axis to the transducers. The resonance frequency of the coupling shell is the same in both vibration modes so that high efficiency is obtained.