Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for acquisition of at least one physical variable, in particular for a critical on-board avionics system, comprising a sensor for measuring the physical variable; an acquisition channel receiving an analog signal corresponding to the physical variable measured by the sensor and transforming this analog signal into a corresponding digital signal, at least some of these transformations being able to be carried out with loss of accuracy; self-test unit for checking the integrity of the acquisition channel and generating a self-test result. The system further comprises an analyzer analyzing the self-test result in order to determine an operating mode of the acquisition channel, and for activating the operation of means for correcting the signal delivered by the channel.

Abstract: A critical system comprises a control pathway comprising an actuation unit having a nonlinear behavior, that is able to be controlled by applying an input quantity and whose state is characterized by an output quantity. The behavior of the actuation unit being described by a flat nonlinear model, wherein the system comprises an estimation unit comprising a dynamic inversion linearization module calculating from the measured output quantity, the input quantity of the equivalent linear model; an estimation module estimating a flat output quantity from the input quantity of the equivalent linear model; and a computing module computing a residual based on the estimated flat output quantity and a measured flat output quantity, corresponding to the measured output quantity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for acquisition of at least one physical variable, in particular for a critical on-board avionics system, comprising a sensor for measuring the physical variable; an acquisition channel receiving an analog signal corresponding to the physical variable measured by the sensor and transforming this analog signal into a corresponding digital signal, at least some of these transformations being able to be carried out with loss of accuracy; self-test unit for checking the integrity of the acquisition channel and generating a self-test result. The system further comprises an analyzer analyzing the self-test result in order to determine an operating mode of the acquisition channel, and for activating the operation of means for correcting the signal delivered by the channel.

Abstract: According to this method, an electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the electronic component during operation is measured and the measured electromagnetic spectrum is compared with a predetermined template defining at least one safe operating range in order to detect possible malfunction or risk of malfunction of the electronic component.

Abstract: A critical system comprises a control pathway comprising an actuation unit having a nonlinear behavior, that is able to be controlled by applying an input quantity and whose state is characterized by an output quantity. The behavior of the actuation unit being described by a flat nonlinear model, wherein the system comprises an estimation unit comprising a dynamic inversion linearization module calculating from the measured output quantity, the input quantity of the equivalent linear model; an estimation module estimating a flat output quantity from the input quantity of the equivalent linear model; and a computing module computing a residual based on the estimated flat output quantity and a measured flat output quantity, corresponding to the measured output quantity.

Abstract: The operational reliability of a heat pipe 200 provided for carrying heat dissipated by an electronic component 101 to a heat exchanger 300 is tested by using the heat pipe in the reverse direction, by providing energy in the form of heat at the exchanger 300, and by measuring the propagation time ?P of the heat from the exchanger to the electronic component. Application to heat pipe tests in onboard computers.

Abstract: According to this method, an electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the electronic component during operation is measured and the measured electromagnetic spectrum is compared with a predetermined template defining at least one safe operating range in order to detect possible malfunction or risk of malfunction of the electronic component.

Abstract: The operational reliability of a heat pipe 200 provided for carrying heat dissipated by an electronic component 101 to a heat exchanger 300 is tested by using the heat pipe in the reverse direction, by providing energy in the form of heat at the exchanger 300, and by measuring the propagation time ?P of the heat from the exchanger to the electronic component. Application to heat pipe tests in onboard computers.

Abstract: An adjustable-force energy absorbing device includes first and second support members connected for sliding movement in a direction parallel with the steering shaft axis of a vehicle, the first support member being secured to the vehicle chassis, and the second support member being connected with the outer tube of the steering mechanism. Upon impact, the second support member is displaced from its normal first position spaced from one end of the first support member toward a second position adjacent the first support member one end. This displacement is resisted by at least one U-shaped energy absorbing element, the number and/or degree of operability of the energy absorbing elements being controlled by at least one impact-responsive pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for adjusting an energy absorbing system of an automobile vehicle steering column mounted in a support assembly which is connected to and attached to the structure of the vehicle by fixing devices each having a respective fixing axis. At least one fixing device includes at least one energy absorbing capsule disposed in the support assembly on a retaining axis and clamped in the support assembly by fastening devices. The fixing axis and the retaining axis coincide. The fastening devices are independent of the fixing devices and include a nut and a rod shoulder in order to allow adjustment to achieve the required clamping of the fastening devices to obtain the required energy absorption. Adjustment of the clamping of the energy absorbing capsule or capsules is therefore independent of the clamping of the devices for fixing the support assembly to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: An adjustable-force energy absorbing device includes first and second support members connected for sliding movement in a direction parallel with the steering shaft axis of a vehicle, the first support member being secured to the vehicle chassis, and the second support member being connected with the outer tube of the steering mechanism. Upon impact, the second support member is displaced from its normal first position spaced from one end of the first support member toward a second position adjacent the first support member one end. This displacement is resisted by at least one U-shaped energy absorbing element, the number and/or degree of operability of the energy absorbing elements being controlled by at least one impact-responsive pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for adjusting an energy absorbing system of an automobile vehicle steering column mounted in a support assembly which is connected to and attached to the structure of the vehicle by fixing devices each having a respective fixing axis. At least one fixing device includes at least one energy absorbing capsule disposed in the support assembly on a retaining axis and clamped in the support assembly by fastening devices. The fixing axis and the retaining axis coincide. The fastening devices are independent of the fixing devices and include a nut and a rod shoulder in order to allow adjustment to achieve the required clamping of the fastening devices to obtain the required energy absorption. Adjustment of the clamping of the energy absorbing capsule or capsules is therefore independent of the clamping of the devices for fixing the support assembly to the vehicle structure.