Abstract: A valve for a vacuum enclosure, the valve comprising a valve body (1) which is hollow about an axis .DELTA. and which opens out to the outside via two opposite end openings (24, 25) of the valve body, thereby enabling the valve to be inserted in a pumping circuit, the inside of said valve body being provided by closure means constituted by a strip (7) which is movable in its own plane, which plane extends perpendicularly to the axis .DELTA. said strip being provided with at least one opening (8) and being associated with two pay-out and take-up drums (9, 10) provided with drive means, said valve body being further provided with sealing means situated between the two drums and comprising a fixed gasket (15) fixed to the valve body and situated on a first side of the strip and a moving gasket system capable of moving parallel to the axis .DELTA.

Abstract: An optical space-division switching assembly comprises a distribution assembly consisting of a stack of P distribution plates each with N guides which on the one hand, for each plate, are coupled in common to the end face of an optical element assigned to the plate and belonging to a group of P elements and, on the other hand, for the P plates, communicate with the same side of the stack in N rows of end faces, and an optical selection assembly consisting of a stack of N flat rigid opto-mechanical switches each movable between an optical element assigned to the switch and belonging to another group of N elements and the corresponding row of end faces of the guides of the plates and incorporating P guides having first ends assigned to the individual links between these guides and the corresponding optical element and second ends individually assigned to the P end faces of the guides of the plates of the corresponding row. This assembly provides for the broadcasting of P programs to N subscribers.

Abstract: The device comprises, for coupling the accesses of N first elements (fa) with the accesses of N second elements (fp) an distributer assembly (10) constituted by a stack of P flat and rigid distribution plates (11) having N waveguides (h) each coupled to the access of one of the second elements (fp) and a concentrator-selector assembly (20) constituted by a stack of N flat and rigid concentration and selection plates (21) having P waveguides and including an integrated strip (31) of P photodiodes which are coupled to the ends of the P waveguides, said assemblies being assembled to each other to couple the individual waveguides together. It is particularly applicable to optically broadcasting P programs to N subscribers.

Abstract: Laser sensing means for dimensional control purposes comprising a laser sensing means, wherein it comprises a body, a sensor sliding in the body, a counterweight weighing the same as the sensor and connected to the latter by a wire passing over pulleys and sliding in the body parallel to the sensor, translation guidance means for the sensor and the counterweight, means for exerting a pressure on the sensor and means for measuring the sensor displacement.