Abstract: A converter powered by an alternating network drawing therefrom a current with a power factor close to unity and a non-linear distortion factor close to five percent, wherein the amplitude of the current applied to an output load remains substantially constant. A bridge circuit is provided using switches and capacitors wherein the reactance at the quench frequency is selected such that a portion of the converted energy is added between the terminals of an output capacitor to the main current rectified by a bridge. A buffer source has a direct voltage with substantially constant amplitude which enables balancing of the generated voltages, thereby eliminating the risk of destruction by uncontrollable excess voltages.

Abstract: An electronic device which, fed from a sinusoidal or randomly variable network, makes it possible to supply the input of a converter with which it is equipped with a DC voltage, a load connected at the output also being fed with a DC voltage envelope, whereas the power factor of the current taken from the mains is kept at unitary value and said current is the image of the voltage which produces it. The high frequency output circuit of the converter loads the series circuit formed by the load 13 associated with an impedance 16. The voltage developed across the terminals of the impedance 16 is rectified by a rectifier bridge 15 mounted in series with a mains rectifier bridge 10 so that these voltages, added to the input of the converter 12, affect the envelope of a DC voltage, this also resulting in supplying a DC voltage envelope to receiver the load 13. The current taken from the mains has a unitary power factor and is proportional to the input voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic converter for supplying a constant amplitude output voltage while taking from the main supply only a sinusoidal current in phase with the voltage. This device is constituted by an auto-oscillator comprising transistors 7a and 7b for which the duty cycle is automatically regulated, a first inductance 10 constituting an oscillator circuit to which the output energy is evacuated, and second inductance taking off part of the high frequency energy produced to reapply it, after rectification, in series with the mains voltage rectified by the bridge 13, so that the voltage between the common polarized terminals of the auto-oscillator becomes continuous and held at a potential at least equal to the peak mains voltage, which translates into a continuous output voltage envelope. This device is applicable to the production of electronic transformers, power supplies, electronic ballasts, etc., without necessarily requiring electrolytic smoothing capacitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to static converters of the symmetrical type whose function is to convert an input direct current voltage into an output alternating current voltage of chosen frequency and power. The self-oscillator according to the invention is composed of two transistors mounted with a common emitter. The device is energized, for instance, from a main power supply unit, associated with a voltage limiter circuit, which subjects the output power of the device to any parameter. The capacitive power factor of the device is compensated by an inductance connected in series with the main power supply. The device according to the invention can replace, advantageously, the conventional "ballast" for fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: A bistable device comprises a thyristor having anode, cathode and gate electrodes and a transistor having emitter, collector and base electrodes, the emitter-collector path of the transistor being connected to the anode-cathode path of the thyristor. A first control input is connected to the gate of the thyristor for determining one stable state of the device and a second control input is connected to the base electrode of the transistor for determining the other stable state of the device. The first control input is connected through an amplifier to the gate of the transistor.

Abstract: A power pack for a d.c. energized device, the power pack providing a predetermined d.c. voltage and being of given shape and dimensions, its output terminals having predetermined positions. This power pack includes a casing having the given external shape and dimensions and two output terminals in said predetermined positions. Inside the casing a d.c. power supply is provided adapted to deliver an on-load d.c. voltage lower than the said predetermined d.c. voltage, and a low consumption converter circuit for converting a signal from the d.c. power supply into a d.c. voltage signal of the predetermined value. The signal from the converter circuit is applied across the output terminals.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit comprising a transistor, a piezoelectric element and a D.C. source, such as a battery, said transistor being common collector mounted and said piezoelectric element being disposed between the base of said transistor and a first terminal of said D.C. source, characterized in that it is adapted so that the response of said oscillator is ensured by a capacitive impedance comprising exclusively the capacitance of the base-emitter junction of the transistor, the voltage of the source being at most equal to 1.5V.

Abstract: A device for controlling a gaseous or liquid fuel fired appliance as a function of a parameter includes a fuel supply controlled by a valve operated in dependence on a signal furnished by means sensitive to the parameter. The device includes a first circuit triggerable by the parameter-sensitive means when the parameter exceeds a first value and a second circuit triggerable by the parameter-sensitive means when the parameter falls below a second value lower than the first value. These circuits operate the valve appropriately for a given period of time. The device includes a spark generator for ignition of the fuel and an inhibitor to stop spark generation on fuel ignition. The device also includes first and second dc sources for independent supply of the first and second circuits, which require negligible current when not operative.