Abstract: The invention relates to a method for validating at least one position stored in a database of an aircraft comprising a satellite positioning system, the database containing at least one radionavigation beacon position, a runway threshold position, and a displaced runway threshold position on a runway, on which the aircraft is intended to land, the validation of said at least one position comprising a consistency check between at least: a signal received by the aircraft from a radionavigation beacon associated with said at least one position, and the position of the aircraft provided by the satellite positioning system, and the value of the position stored in the database.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for validating at least one position stored in a database of an aircraft comprising a satellite positioning system, the database containing at least one radionavigation beacon position, a runway threshold position, and a displaced runway threshold position on a runway, on which the aircraft is intended to land, the validation of said at least one position comprising a consistency check between at least: a signal received by the aircraft from a radionavigation beacon associated with said at least one position, and the position of the aircraft provided by the satellite positioning system, and the value of the position stored in the database.

Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of methods for representing a rate of turn indicator for an aircraft implemented by an on-board avionics system. The method includes a step of graphically representing on a visualization device a symbol called “aeroplane model”, said graphic representation being a function of the specific speed of the aircraft and of its angle of inclination. In a favored embodiment, said aeroplane model includes two straight arms interlinked by a common point and inclined to the horizontal symmetrically in such a way as to form an inverted V. The angle of inclination of the two arms of the V is proportional to the specific speed of the aircraft, the coefficient of proportionality being determined in such a way that when the specific speed and the angle of inclination correspond to values compatible with the standard rate, said arm is parallel to the horizon line, thus indicating that the aircraft is carrying out its turn at the standard rate.

Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of methods for representing a rate of turn indicator for an aircraft implemented by an on-board avionics system. The method includes a step of graphically representing on a visualization device a symbol called “aeroplane model”, said graphic representation being a function of the specific speed of the aircraft and of its angle of inclination. In a favoured embodiment, said aeroplane model includes two straight arms interlinked by a common point and inclined to the horizontal symmetrically in such a way as to form an inverted V. The angle of inclination of the two arms of the V is proportional to the specific speed of the aircraft, the coefficient of proportionality being determined in such a way that when the specific speed and the angle of inclination correspond to values compatible with the standard rate, said arm is parallel to the horizon line, thus indicating that the aircraft is carrying out its turn at the standard rate.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system and method for monitoring the exhaust emissions of combustion engines such as diesel engines equipment used in underground mining operations. The system comprises a gas analyzer capable of measuring the concentration of at least one exhaust gas from the exhaust emissions, the analyzer being coupled to a computer that processes the data collected from the gas analyzer. The processed data is then displayed to the operator on a computer screen, so that the monitoring is carried out in real time.

Abstract: With a view to bringing the cursor into a zone of the image displayed on a screen, the method embodying the invention uses a displacement mode comprising determination and indication on the screen of the orientation and relative direction of displacement one wishes to obtain, this stage being performed by varying the orientation of the index (C) by a first manual command until the required direction is obtained; relative displacement of the cursor (C) in relation to the image, in accordance with the orientation and direction thus determined until it reaches said zone, this displacement being performed by a second command distinct from the first; and validation of the position occupied by the cursor in relation to the image by a third command distinct from the first two. The invention relates equally to conventional management of a cursor, the plotting of the route of an aircraft or even to multidirectional scrolling of an image on a screen.

Abstract: The management device embodying the invention uses a control source consisting in a touch-sensitive work board comprising a touch-sensitive surface and a means enabling detection of a force on said surface. It further comprises a selection means enabling switching from the relative pointing mode to the absolute pointing mode depending on whether the force exerted exceeds or is less than a predetermined threshold value. The invention enables the advantages of the two pointing modes to be accumulated.

Abstract: The multichannel coder embodying the invention comprises a knob coupled with a code wheel associated with a means for detecting the angular position and, possibly, the direction of rotation of the wheel. It comprises, on the one hand, a channel selection means incorporated into the knob, and, on the other hand, a means enabling the association, with the information provided by the detection means, of information relating to the channel that has been selected on the aforesaid selection means. The invention can be used to modify parameters.

Abstract: A method for preparing and controlling navigation of an aircraft uses a processor equipped with memories, a screen and keys. It comprises the steps of preparing the route to be followed by an aircraft by loading into the memory data pertaining to a route, defining parameters characterizing the environment in which the navigation will take place, and displaying during navigation a couple of way points including the last point through which the aircraft has passed and the next way point, the segment joining these two points together, and information required to control navigation between these two points. The invention enables the pilot to prepare his navigation without taking measurement readings and performing calculations.

Abstract: The compact and ergonomic communications terminal equipped with proximity detection surfaces embodying the invention comprises a screen and command device distributed around the periphery of the screen, the command device comprising two devices for detection on a respective axis of the position of an operator's finger, divided into a plurality of segments assimilable with switch operating keys, the axes of these two detection devices being perpendicular to one another and each disposed facing an edge of the screen. It is notably used inside the cockpit of an aircraft.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detection of reciprocating machine faults and failures, data representing velocity variation waveforms of a reciprocating machine having a plurality of cylinders is acquired. The acquired data is transformed using a computer to produce torque waveforms corresponding to the acquired velocity variation waveforms. An optimization algorithm is used to obtain a number of parameters corresponding to the number of cylinders of the machine for both compression and expansion cycles of the machine in an independent manner and for each cylinder. The optimized parameters and the transformed torque waveforms are then presented to the user to identify each cylinder's condition.

Abstract: The manipulator embodying the invention comprises a disk mounted rotatably about an axis by a shaft and capable of pivoting about a center of rotation with elastic return motion towards a home position, a detector which determines the angular position of the disk in relation of the axis, strain gauges detecting the orientation of the disk with respect to the center of rotation, a reversing switch for switching from an operating mode in which the data relating to the orientation of the shaft are taken into account, to an operating mode in which the data ralating to the angular position of the disk are taken into account, and a switch for validating one or other of these data. The invention applies notably to the remote control of a cursor on a screen.

Abstract: The device for clearance-free mounting of panes of glass embodying the invention comprises blocks each having a through passage of oblong section in which can freely pass a fastening screw intended to be screwed into a threaded bore of the support of a pane of glass, the blocks also having an oblique face susceptible of sliding and self-adjusting against an edge of the pane of glass. The invention notably enables a protective pane of glass to be fixed to a viewing screen.

Abstract: A switch device with two modes of operation includes at least one switch comprising, carried by a substrate, two conductive lands and an electrically conductive elastic capsule in contact with one land and, in the unoperated condition, overlying the other land so as to be capable of being urged into contact with the latter. An electrical signal from a source is applied to the capsule. A circuit measures variations of the signal due to the proximity of an electrically conductive object. The device can be used to implement matrix keyboards combining the functions of a conventional keypad and a tactile pad.