Abstract: A hydrostatically compressed elastomeric spring, having an S-bent tubular envelope, of flattened cross-section, filled with a mass of electrically conductive elastomer and closed by metal endpieces. By causing an electrical current to pass through the conductive elastomer, via the endpieces, the elastomer is heated up by Joule effect, thereby inducing a thermal expansion which results in a modification of the properties of the spring.

Abstract: A land vehicle for producing side-slip of the rear wheels while the front wheels determine a curved path of travel having a short radius comprises four driving wheels having a fixed orientation in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each wheel (1, 2) is associated with an individual electric motor. After detecting its angular position, the speed of the wheels is controlled in dependence on a reference value which is determined as a function of a desired path of travel. The ratio of maximum tangential force (T1 or T2) transmitted to the periphery of the wheel to weight (P1 or P2) transmitted to the ground by said wheel is lower than the usual coefficient of friction of the wheel with the ground in the case of the two front driving wheels (1) and higher than the usual coefficient of friction of the wheel with the ground in the case of the two other driving wheels (2) which are closer to each other than the front wheels (1).

Abstract: The generator comprises at least one coil surrounded by a magnetic circuit of an inductor for taking-off electrical power. The magnetic circuit forms a variable gap with a reciprocating mobile part moving between two positions. The mobile reciprocating part is made in the form of a magnetic ring made by sheets of ferro-magnetic material having a uniform thickness and width and being radially positioned. The distance between the sheets at the proximity of a residual gap is such that ferro-magnetic material in area of the residual gap represents from 50 to 80% of the sheets in the magnetic circuit of the inductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motive device adapted to convert a variation in temperature to which it is subjected into mechanical energy, constituted by a piston mounted to slide by one of its ends in a first chamber and by the other of its ends in a second chamber, said chambers being connected with each other so as to define in the first chamber a first closed volume and in the second chamber a second closed volume, particularly larger than the first, each of said volumes being filled with elastomer under pressure so that each chamber and each corresponding end of the piston constitute a spring involving the hydrostatic compression of the elastomer. The invention is applied to the construction of devices for thermally regulating the functioning of a mechanism.

Abstract: Alternator having a pulsed excitation. Means are provided to supply short current pulses into the pick-up coils at a suitable time so to magnetize the circuit. As a consequence the shape of the magnetic circuit can be simplified and the weight of iron and copper can be reduced.

Abstract: The hydraulic spring comprises a fixed part innerly provided with an axial bore communicating with a reservoir of liquid and having an outlet aperture, a moving part filled with liquid, surrounding the fixed part and provided with an inside recess. The inside recess of the moving part is substantially in front of the outlet aperture of the fixed part at position of outer dead center and substantially in front of the free end of the fixed part at position of inner dead center.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an absorbing spring involving the hydrostatic compression of an elastomer, comprising a tight casing constituted by a deformable, bent elastic tube of flattened section, filled with elastomer. A central core is embedded in the elastomer, the core being made of elastic material, the coefficient of heat expansion of which is lower than that of the tube. The invention finds particular application in the manufacture of absorbing devices.

Abstract: The machine comprises one cylinder in which two symmetrical opposed working pistons are placed. A gas-oil introduced between the pistons burns and causes a reciprocating motion of the working pistons against the return motion of two resilient devices. An energy is produced thereby and is extracted without mechanical connections. The mass of the working pistons ranges between 5 and 30 grams per cm.sup.3 of the cylinder. The quantity of gas-oil ranges between 0.01 and 0.02 milligram per cm.sup.3 of the cylinder. The resilient devices are effective for accumulating and sending back upon each reciprocating motion thereof a power ranging between 0.5 and 2 joules per cm.sup.3 of the cylinder.