Abstract: This invention relates to a damped elastic stop device, associated with two parts mobile with respect to each other in a determined direction. One part bears two circular bosses, over the periphery of which pass two loops of yarn or cable made of fibers of polyamide or aramid resin, attached to a central block connected to the other part. The device acts both as a spring, thanks to the elasticity of the yarn of the loops, and as a damper, thanks to the friction of the yarn of the loops sliding on the periphery of the bosses.

Abstract: An improved hydrostatically compressed elastomeric spring in which an inner metal core buried in the elastomer contained in a flattened and bent tube constitutes a heating resistor for the elastomer to control its expansion and the compression of the spring under the effects of a static load. The spring is useful in shock absorbing devices.

Abstract: An electronically controlled vehicle having at least one pair of wheels which are driven by respective electric motors and each subjected to independent driving action. A computer placed on board the vehicle and associated with a reference clock is connected on the one hand to a control unit for receiving course-changing and speed-changing instructions and on the other hand to wheel-position detectors. Orders for initiating power exchanges with the respective wheels are transmitted to wheel-motor control elements, thus imparting differential acceleration in accordance with the course-changing and speed-changing instructions.

Abstract: A variable-reluctance electric motor with teeth of uniform pitch and poles whose number is a multiple of 4, which includes means for varying the magnetic permeability of the poles in dependance upon the relative positions of the poles and teeth from a zero value to saturation value reached when a tooth faces the middle portion of a pole, passing through intermediate values when a tooth faces the edge portions of a pole. In a first embodiment, the poles are made up of a mixture of magnetic and non-magnetic material, the ratio of magnetic material to non-magnetic material decreasing from the middle portion of the pole to the edge portions. In a second embodiment, the poles are distributed in sectors each containing a central pole and two equal numbers of lateral poles. In a sector, the pitch of the poles is non-uniform, the pitch of the lateral poles being slightly less than the pitch of the teeth.

Abstract: A variable-reluctance electric motor comprises a stator of ferromagnetic material, having poles provided with induction windings and distributed in four equal groups. The motor is provided with at least one ferromagnetic material rotor ring having equidistant teeth and bearing switching means actuated by the rotation for distributing direct current to the stator windings. The windings and switching means are so combined that, during each advance of the rotor by one tooth pitch, each pole is subjected to two opposite switching operations staggered by a time equal to that taken by the motor for a one-fourth of a tooth pitch rotation. The stator poles are equidistant, each bearing one winding, and are number (4kl), k being at least equal to 2 and l being any number. The rotor has (lm) teeth, m being an odd number greater than (4k). The switching means are so actuated as to switch over the d.c.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved spring of the type in which an elastomer is subjected to hydrostatic compression and is constituted by a mass of elastomer contained in an enclosure which comprises a casing in which a piston is mounted to slide. In said mass of elastomer is included a body, whose volume, in a certain range of temperatures, increases as the temperature drops. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this body is advantageously water contained in at least one sealed and deformable bag.