Abstract: A piezoelectric element for an automatic frequency control circuit. The element includes a balance spring formed of a piezoelectric crystal strip, a first electrode connected to the automatic control circuit, and disposed on at least a first side of the strip, and a second electrode connected to the automatic control circuit and disposed on at least a second side of the strip. The first and second electrodes are placed on one portion or over the entire length of the balance spring in a predetermined angular distribution.

Abstract: Angular position sensor system comprising: a cylindrical magnet rotatable about a rotation axis; and an angular position sensor device comprising: a substrate comprising a plurality of magnetic sensitive elements configured for measuring a first magnetic field component in a first direction and a second magnetic field component in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a processing circuit configured for calculating the angular position; the sensor device being oriented such that the first direction is oriented in a circumferential direction, and the second direction is either parallel or orthogonal to the rotation axis; the sensor device being located at a predefined position where a magnitude of a third magnetic field component orthogonal to the first and second magnetic field component is negligible over the 360° angular range.

Abstract: A position sensor arrangement, comprising: a magnetic source and a position sensor device movably arranged relative to each other; the latter comprising at least three magnetic sensors for measuring said magnetic field; a processing unit for determining a position based on a ratio of a first pairwise difference and a second pairwise difference, the first pairwise difference being a difference of a first pair of two signals, the second pairwise difference signal being a difference of a second pair of two signals. A method of determining a position, by performing said measurements, and by calculating said differences and said ratio. A method of calibrating said position sensor, including the step of storing at least one parameter or a look-up table in a non-volatile memory. A method of auto-calibration.

Abstract: A timepiece with a mechanical movement which includes an indicator mechanism of at least one time data item, a mechanical resonator forming a mechanical oscillator which paces the running of the indicator mechanism, and a regulation device to prevent a potential time drift in the running of the indicator mechanism. The regulation device is formed by a master oscillator and a mechanical braking device of the mechanical resonator, this mechanical braking device being arranged to be able to apply periodically to the mechanical resonator braking pulses at a braking frequency determined by the master oscillator. The system, formed of the mechanical resonator and the mechanical braking device, is configured so as to enable the mechanical braking device to be able to start the braking pulses at any position of the mechanical resonator. The braking pulses have a duration less than one quarter of a set-point period.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed by a balance and a piezoelectric balance spring, and a control device for controlling the frequency of the mechanical oscillator. This control device is arranged to be capable of generating time-separated control pulses, each including a momentary decrease in an electrical resistance applied by the control device between two electrodes of the piezoelectric balance spring relative to a nominal electrical resistance. The control device is arranged to be capable of applying a plurality of control pulses during each time of a series of distinct correction times or without interruption in a continuous time window, in order to respectively synchronize the mechanical oscillator at a correction frequency whose value depends on a detected positive or negative temporal drift or at a desired frequency for the mechanical oscillator.

Abstract: A timepiece is provided with a mechanical movement which includes a mechanical resonator, a sensor detecting oscillations of the mechanical resonator, and a braking device arranged to generate braking pulses in response to a control signal provided by a control circuit associated with an auxiliary oscillator. The control circuit is arranged to be capable of detecting a negative or positive temporal drift in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator and to generate, in a correction period, in association with the braking device, when the temporal drift corresponds to at least a certain loss, a series of braking pulses which are applied to the mechanical resonator at a frequency FSUP in a given range of values which is preferably higher than a frequency FZ (N)=2·F0c/N, F0c being a set point frequency for the mechanical resonator and N a positive integer number.

Abstract: A mechanical oscillator, formed of a mechanical resonator and a device for maintaining oscillation, and an auxiliary oscillator forming a reference time base including a synchronisation device arranged to slave the medium frequency of the mechanical oscillator on that of the auxiliary oscillator. The synchronisation device includes an electromagnetic braking device which is formed of a coil and at least one permanent magnet and arranged such that an induced voltage is generated between the terminals of the coil in each alternation of the oscillation of the mechanical resonator. The synchronisation device is arranged to be able to reduce momentarily the impedance between the terminals of the coil during distinct time intervals, any two successive time intervals exhibiting between the respective starts thereof a time distance substantially equal to a positive whole number multiplied by half of a set-point period for the mechanical oscillator.

Abstract: The mechanical timepiece is equipped with a movement which comprises an indicator mechanism of at least one time data item, a mechanical resonator forming a slave oscillator which paces the running of the indicator mechanism, and a mechanical correction device to prevent a possible time drift in the running of the indicator mechanism. The mechanical correction device is formed by a master mechanical oscillator and a mechanical braking device of the mechanical resonator, this braking device arranged to apply periodically to said mechanical resonator mechanical braking pulses at a braking frequency determined by the master mechanical oscillator. Then, the mechanical system, formed by said mechanical resonator and the braking device, is configured to enable the braking device to be able to start the braking pulses preferably at any position of said mechanical resonator. Preferably, the braking pulses have a duration of less than one quarter of a set-point period.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed of a mechanical resonator, and a device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator. This regulation device includes an auxiliary oscillator, an electromechanical device for stopping the mechanical resonator, a sensor arranged to detect the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof, and a measuring device arranged to measure a time drift of the mechanical oscillator. The regulation device is arranged to stop, during a given alternation, the natural oscillation movement of the mechanical resonator selectively either momentarily during a first half-alternation occurring before the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain gain, or prematurely during a second half-alternation occurring after the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain loss.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed by a balance and a piezoelectric balance spring, and a regulating device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator which is arranged to be able to produce time-separated regulating pulses, each consisting of a momentary decrease in an electrical resistance applied by the regulating device between two electrodes of the balance spring relative to a nominal electrical resistance. Each regulating pulse produces a variation of rate which varies as a function of its moment of starting in a half-period of the mechanical oscillator, the characteristic function of this variation of rate relative to the moment of starting of at least one regulating pulse respectively in at least one half-period of the mechanical oscillator being negative in a first temporal zone of at least one half-period and positive in a second temporal zone of at least one half-period.

Abstract: A mechanical movement timepiece assembly with a mechanical oscillator is formed by a resonator of the balance-hairspring type, and a device for regulating the oscillation frequency thereof using an auxiliary oscillator equipped with a quartz resonator. The regulating device includes a sensor, suitable for detecting the passage of the resonator via the neutral position thereof, a measuring device suitable for measuring, on the basis of position signals supplied by the sensor, a time drift of the mechanical oscillator relative to the auxiliary oscillator, and a device for applying to the resonator mechanical braking pulses when a certain time drift is observed. For this purpose, the resonator has a braking surface which extends over at least a certain sector having a certain length along the oscillation axis and against which a braking member may press in order to momentarily brake the resonator.

Abstract: A self-winding watch includes a movement connected to a winding device of a barrel spring including an oscillating weight pivoting around an axis A, a reduction wheel train cooperating with the oscillating weight to transmit the torque to the barrel, a storage unit for electrical energy, a photovoltaic cell arranged to receive the ambient light and charge the electrical energy storage unit, a control circuit connected to the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit and a driver connected to the circuit and coupled to the oscillating weight to displace it. The electrical energy storage unit, the control circuit an d the driver are integrated to the oscillating weight.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal alloy balance wheel by molding, the process including the following steps: a) making a mold in the negative shape of the balance wheel, b) getting hold of a metal alloy that has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 25 ppm/° C. and is able to be in an at least partly amorphous state when it is heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature, c) putting the metal alloy into the mold, the metal alloy being heated to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its crystallization temperature so as to be hot-molded and to form a balance wheel, d) cooling the metal alloy to obtain a balance wheel made of the metal alloy, e) releasing the balance wheel obtained in step d) from its mold.

Abstract: A recharging device for an electronic or electromechanical watch equipped, on the one hand, with a device for the storage of electrical energy for powering electronic components of the watch and, on the other hand, with an auxiliary source of electrical energy adapted to power the device for the storage of electrical energy for recharging thereof. The device includes a casket provided with a support for receiving the watch. The device further includes at least one source of energy configured to supply energy to the auxiliary source of electrical energy, when the watch is placed on the receiving support, so that the auxiliary source of electrical energy converts the received energy into electrical energy and delivers a charge for maintaining a predetermined level of power supply voltage to the device for the storage of electrical energy.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical movement with a mechanical oscillator and an electronic device for regulating the medium frequency of this mechanical oscillator. It includes an electromagnetic transducer and an electric converter which includes a primary storage unit for powering the regulation circuit. The electromagnetic transducer is arranged to supply a voltage signal exhibiting first voltage lobes in first half-alternations and second voltage lobes in second half-alternations of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator. The regulating device includes a load pump arranged to transfer electric loads from the primary storage unit into a secondary storage unit, these electric loads being extracted selectively in different time zones according to a time drift detected in the functioning of the mechanical oscillator relative to an auxiliary oscillator, particularly quartz-based.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical movement with a mechanical oscillator and an electronic device for regulating the medium frequency of this mechanical oscillator. It includes an electromagnetic transducer and an electric converter which includes a power supply capacitor for powering the regulation circuit. The electromagnetic transducer is arranged to supply a voltage signal exhibiting first voltage lobes in first half-alternations and second voltage lobes in second half-alternations of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator. The regulating device includes a load pump arranged to store momentarily electric loads which are extracted selectively in different time zones according to a time drift detected in the functioning of the mechanical oscillator relative to an auxiliary oscillator, particularly quartz-based. The electric loads extracted are rendered after a certain delay to the power supply capacitor also according to the time drift detected.

Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator and an electromechanical transducer formed by an electromagnetic assembly including a coil and a magnet mounted on the balance of the mechanical oscillator. The induced voltage signal, produced by the electromagnetic transducer during each oscillation, exhibits, in a first half-alternation between the oscillator passes via the neutral position thereof, a first lobe of maximum amplitude having a first polarity and, in a second half-alternation following a passage via the neutral position, a second lobe of maximum amplitude having a second polarity opposite the first. An electric converter includes two power supply capacitors and a device for regulating the medium frequency of the mechanical oscillator. The first power supply capacitor is charged merely with a positive voltage whereas the second capacitor is charged merely with a negative voltage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a piezoelectric element (3) for an automatic frequency control circuit. The element includes a balance spring (7) formed of a strip of piezoelectric material, a first electrode connected to the automatic control circuit, and disposed on all or part of one side of the strip, and a second electrode connected to the automatic control circuit and disposed on all or part of another side of the strip of piezoelectric material. The element further comprises at least two discontinuous layers of an insulating material, each discontinuous layer of insulating material being disposed on at least one side of the strip of piezoelectric material and separating a first electrode from a second electrode. The discontinuous layers of insulating material are distributed on predetermined portions of the balance spring substantially forming arcs, with a predetermined angular periodicity.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element for an automatic frequency control circuit. The element includes a balance spring formed of a piezoelectric crystal strip, a first electrode connected to the automatic control circuit, and disposed on at least a first side of the strip, and a second electrode connected to the automatic control circuit and disposed on at least a second side of the strip. The first and second electrodes are placed on one portion or over the entire length of the balance spring in a predetermined angular distribution.

Abstract: Provided herein are techniques for improved optical absorption measurements in the presence of time-varying etalons. In one aspect, a method for dynamic etalon fitting for adaptive background noise reduction in an optical sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a zero-gas spectrum measured using the optical sensor; obtaining an analyte gas spectrum of a target trace gas measured using the optical sensor; comparing the zero-gas spectrum and the analyte gas spectrum using fit parameters that compensate for drifting etalons in the optical sensor; and dynamically extracting the drifting etalons from the analyte gas spectrum to retrieve concentration of the target trace gas.