Abstract: A device (30) for nebulizing a liquid includes a nebulization head (40) having a capillary tube (40-1) and a nozzle (40-2) for ejecting a liquid (43), a liquid supply tank (42) for supplying the nebulization head with liquid (43), a vibrator (44) for vibration driving the nebulization head so that it ejects droplets of liquid in a nebulization jet. The device (30) further includes a pressure regulator for applying to the liquid at the inlet to the nebulization head (40), during nebulization cycles, a pressure greater than a first pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is not vibration driven, and lower than a second pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is vibration driven. Advantages of the device include increase in the nebulization flow rate and low sensitivity to changes in trim and to vibrations.

Abstract: A device (30) for nebulizing a liquid includes a nebulization head (40) having a capillary tube (40-1) and a nozzle (40-2) for ejecting a liquid (43), a liquid supply tank (42) for supplying the nebulization head with liquid (43), a vibrator (44) for vibration driving the nebulization head so that it ejects droplets of liquid in a nebulization jet. The device (30) further includes a pressure regulator for applying to the liquid at the inlet to the nebulization head (40), during nebulization cycles, a pressure greater than a first pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is not vibration driven, and lower than a second pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is vibration driven. Advantages of the device include increase in the nebulization flow rate and low sensitivity to changes in trim and to vibrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for diffusing drops of at least one liquid, the device being of the type comprising at least one liquid displacement path defined by a series of pairs of close-together surfaces (4a, 6a, . . . , 14a) enabling liquid to be retained and to be displaced from one pair of surfaces to another. The device comprises: both a series of pairs of close-together surfaces (4a, 6a, . . . , 14a) defining at least one displacement path, and co-operating to store the liquid, to form drops of liquid, and to move liquid drops to an outlet from said path leading towards a drop destination site; and electric field application means applying a determined sequence of electric fields between the pairs of close-together surfaces so as to form drops of liquid from the liquid storage, and to move and mix the drops of liquid to the drop outlet of said path.

Abstract: A programmable odor-bearing substance diffusion device includes a number n of odor diffusion devices, where n is equal to or greater than 1, each odor diffusion device including a store of an odor source which is dispensed by the odor diffusion device, a device for independently controlling each odor diffusion device to emit a single odor or a mixture of odors from a by a combination of p of the n stores, and a programmable control device for establishing odor peak emission cycles and a predetermined interval between two successive emission cycles, the predetermined interval being based on an olfactory saturation and desaturation times of the olfactory system of a user.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns the making of microcomponents belonging to the family of vacuum tubes of the diode, triode and electroluminescent component type. The goal thereof is notably to resolve problems of fabrication under vacuum, and of precise anode-cathode spacing. This goal is achieved by means of a microcomponent of the stacked structure type wherein the anode is made in the form of a metallic layer for the sealing of said cavity under vacuum containing the microcathode, and wherein at least one solid dielectric layer provides for the spacing between said anode and said microcathode.

Abstract: An optical device, similar to binoculars, which includes, between the objective lens and the eyepiece a miniature screen displaying an image controlled by a computer, and an optical reflex device capable of superimposing the screen image on the image seen through the objective lens. The device also includes, selectively or cumulatively, a variable light attenuator and a light amplifier for night vision. The device can be used, in conjunction with a computer, to add further information on geographic positions, friends, enemies, infrared images, etc. into the scene seen through the binoculars.

Abstract: Material made up of a thin layer between two surfaces, a first and a second, to be used as the third layer of a transparent goggles face, the first layer being a screen and the second layer being a thickness layer, remarkable in that the material consists of a formable transparent polymer matrix having a refractive index and containing micro-cavities in the form of lenses, the micro-cavities being made from a transparent material different from that of the matrix, the refractive index of the material of the micro-cavities changing under the influence of an electric field applied across it, for a first field value the refractive index being equal to that of the matrix, and for a second field value being greater than that of the matrix, a pair of electrodes being associated with each micro-cavity.

Abstract: Material made up of a thin layer between two surfaces, a first and a second, to be used as the third layer of a transparent goggles face, the first layer being a screen and the second layer being a thickness layer, remarkable in that the material consists of a formable transparent polymer matrix having a refractive index and containing micro-cavities in the form of lenses, the micro-cavities being made from a transparent material different from that of the matrix, the refractive index of the material of the micro-cavities changing under the influence of an electric field applied across it, for a first field value the refractive index being equal to that of the matrix, and for a second field value being greater than that of the matrix, a pair of electrodes being associated with each micro-cavity.

Abstract: Material made up of a thin layer between two surfaces, a first and a second, to be used as the third layer of a transparent goggles face, the first layer being a screen and the second layer being a thickness layer, remarkable in that the material consists of a formable transparent polymer matrix having a refractive index and containing micro-cavities in the form of lenses, the micro-cavities being made from a transparent material different from that of the matrix, the refractive index of the material of the micro-cavities changing under the influence of an electric field applied across it, for a first field value the refractive index being equal to that of the matrix, and for a second field value being greater than that of the matrix, a pair of electrodes being associated with each micro-cavity.

Abstract: The invention is a hollow fiber with, over the full length of the fiber and between each fiber channel (3, 4) and the core, at least one stress zone (5, 6) to create an anisotropic stress distribution which subjects the fiber core to a tensile stress. The cable design is advantageous in that it is possible to control the sign of the fiber intrinsic birefringence. The cable is thus advantageous for use as a pressure sensor or pressure transducer.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical fiber comprising the following stages: a stage of production of a preform having an axis of symmetry and their ends and comprising an optical core as well as at least one cylindrical recess whose axis is parallel to the axis of symmetry of the preform; a drawing stage at a temperature making possible the softening of the drawn part of the preform to obtain a hollow optical fiber, characterized in that it comprises, after the preceding stage of production of the preform: a stage of attachment in a tight manner, to one end of the preform, of a hollow chamber whose cavity communicates with the recess of the preform. The cavity also communicates with a pneumatic regulation device. The drawing stage comprises a pneumatic regulation of the gas contained in the cavity and in the recess with the help of the pneumatic regulation device.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns the making of microcomponents belonging to the family of vacuum tubes of the diode, triode and electroluminescent component type. The goal thereof is notably to resolve problems of fabrication under vacuum, and of precise anode-cathode spacing. This goal is achieved by constructing a microcomponent of the stacked structure type wherein the anode is made in the form of a metallic layer for sealing the cavity under vacuum containing the microcathode, and wherein at least one solid dielectric layer provides for the spacing between the anode and the microcathode.

Abstract: The disclosed optical fiber sensor uses the effect of variation in the birefringence in a birefringent optical fiber as a function of the stresses and of the temperature. It has a linearly polarized, wide-spectrum source coupled to a polarizing-preserving single-mode optical fiber, along one of its neutral axes, devices capable of inducing coupling points being distributed along this fiber. A polarizer at 45.degree. with respect to the neutral axes of the fiber is placed at output of this sensor fiber. The output radiation is analyzed by spectroscopy, for example in a scanning Michelson interferometer associated with a detector. The detection by the interferometer enables the identification of the devices that are subjected to stresses. The same type of device may be used for the simultaneous detection of the stresses and/or the temperatures. The disclosed device can be applied notably to the monitoring and supervision of any installation in which strains have to be detected.

Abstract: In a device for switching a light beam, the conditions of propagation of the beam are modified locally under electric control by interposing on the beam path a fluid which modifies the conditions of refraction of the medium traversed by the beam.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device where the commutation of a luminous beam is ensured by the electrically controlled presence or absence, on the path of the beam, of a fluid causing said beam to be transmitted or reflected. The invention provides for improved decoupling between the output channels of the device, due to the presence of a surface provoking a total internal reflection that allows one to eliminate interference reflections.

Abstract: Optical modulator of a light beam comprising cells employing the displacement of an absorbent liquid and arranged in series on the path of the beam with a liquid displacement cell permitting a reflection of the beam.

Abstract: A memory display device using a chiral C or H smectic liquid crystal, comprising a liquid crystal cell in which optically discernible textures are induced by means of DC electric fields of appropriate signs, these textures being maintained under the effect of AC electric fields.

Abstract: The displacement of a fluid is controlled electrically in a device employed primarily for storage and display of digital data. The device comprises a capillary space delimited by two confinement plates, the internal faces of which are fitted with electrodes connected to an electric generator. The capillary space is shared by two immiscible fluids and at least one displaceable fluid marker is created within the capillary space in the form of a globule of the fluid which has the highest dielectric permittivity.