Abstract: A printed circuit board comprises N power switching cells operating in parallel and respectively comprising a transistor leg, at least one decoupling capacitor and a gate driver circuit. Each transistor leg comprises respective first and second transistors in series, a drain of the first transistor being connected to a positive DC line, a source of the second transistor being connected to a negative DC line, a source of the first transistor being connected to a drain of the second through a connection middle-point connected to an output terminal. Each gate driver circuit controls respective switching ON and OFF of the corresponding first and second transistors. The N transistor legs of the corresponding N power switching cells are positioned to substantially form a convex polygon having N edges of substantially the same length, each one of the N transistor legs being positioned along one of the edges of the convex polygon.

Abstract: A printed circuit board comprises N power switching cells operating in parallel and respectively comprising a transistor leg, at least one decoupling capacitor and a gate driver circuit. Each transistor leg comprises respective first and second transistors in series, a drain of the first transistor being connected to a positive DC line, a source of the second transistor being connected to a negative DC line, a source of the first transistor being connected to a drain of the second through a connection middle-point connected to an output terminal. Each gate driver circuit controls respective switching ON and OFF of the corresponding first and second transistors. The N transistor legs of the corresponding N power switching cells are positioned to substantially form a convex polygon having N edges of substantially the same length, each one of the N transistor legs being positioned along one of the edges of the convex polygon.

Abstract: A printed circuit board comprises N power switching cells operating in parallel and respectively comprising a transistor leg, at least one decoupling capacitor and a gate driver circuit. Each transistor leg comprises respective first and second transistors in series, a drain of the first transistor being connected to a positive DC line, a source of the second transistor being connected to a negative DC line, a source of the first transistor being connected to a drain of the second through a connection middle-point connected to an output terminal. Each gate driver circuit controls respective switching ON and OFF of the corresponding first and second transistors. The N transistor legs of the corresponding N power switching cells are positioned to substantially form a convex polygon having N edges of substantially the same length, each one of the N transistor legs being positioned along one of the edges of the convex polygon.

Abstract: A snap joint for securing construction modules together on a modular construction site, the snap joint comprising a male member mounted on a first construction module and a female member mounted on a second construction module. The female member housing locking members, a tumbler and biasing members biasing the locking members against the tumbler. The male member having shaft engageable within the female member, through a base stop of the tumbler, along a trigger path in a manner to push the tumbler out of interference with the locking members, thereby freeing the locking members to transversally engage with the shaft.

Abstract: A drive motor for at least one wiper arm intended to wipe a glazed surface of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor includes a cam surface linked in concentric rotation with a rotary shaft of the drive motor, and static cam reading means able to cooperate with said cam according to the angular positions occupied by said cam to generate electrical control signals varying as a function of the angular position of the wiper arm on the glazed surface. The cam has a first circular conductive track, a second semi-circular conductive track concentric to the first conductive track and connected to same via a conductive bridge, in which the static reading means are formed by three sliding contacts able to make and break electrical contact with respectively the first and second conductive tracks and the conductive bridge depending on the angular positions occupied by said cam.

Abstract: An electric apparatus comprises a stator having an array of coils positioned within its periphery and a first rotor having an array of magnet pairs positioned within its periphery. The first rotor has one face adjacent to the stator. A second rotor made of conductive material is positioned adjacent to another face of the first rotor. A coupling mechanism may be connected to the second rotor. The electric apparatus may be connected to an electric power source and act as a motor for driving a mechanical load attached to the coupling mechanism. The electric apparatus may alternatively be connected to an electric load, a turbine being attached to the coupling mechanism for generating electric power. An enclosure may protect components of the electric apparatus against external elements, for example to allow underwater operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a scalable electric provisioning system comprising a housing, a high voltage direct current (DC) backplane, a communication bus, at least one provisioning module and a control unit. The housing defines a plurality of slots. The high voltage direct current (DC) backplane is located within the housing and is electrically accessible through each one of the plurality of slots. The communication bus is accessible to each one of the plurality of slots. The at least one provisioning module is inserted into one of the slots. The at least one provisioning module comprises two sub-units selected from any of the following: a DC/DC converter, a DC/DC bidirectional converter, an electric inverter, and a bidirectional electric inverter. The control unit controls operation of the at least one provisioning unit.

Abstract: A method and system for permanently attaching a take-up screw for taking-up the axial clearance of the armature shaft of a windscreen wiper motor are disclosed. The take-up screw is screwed axially into a bore in the motor base (SM) until the screw reaches a stop position in relation to the armature shaft locked in the screw. At least one surface discontinuity is provided in the bore and/or the thread of the screw, allowing the screw to be screwed into the bore until it reaches the stop position. The screw is screwed into the bore until the stop position is reached and a screw- and/or motor base-deformation strain is applied at the discontinuity in order to deform the side surface of the screw and/or motor base (SM) and permanently attach the screw and/or motor base by wedging in the discontinuity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper system (1) for wiping a glazed surface of a motor vehicle having a washer system (3) able to be used in combination with a reservoir (5) containing a washer fluid, said wiper system comprising—a drive motor (7) for driving at least one wiper arm,—a pump (11) intended to be fluidly connected firstly to said reservoir (5) and secondly to at least two spray nozzles at least one of which is able to deliver a jet of fluid to the windshield of a vehicle and at least another of which is able to deliver a jet of fluid to the rear screen of a vehicle, and—a switch (17) having at least a first position for supplying said at least one spray nozzle able to deliver a jet of fluid to the windshield and a second position for supplying said at least one spray nozzle able to deliver a jet of fluid to the rear screen,—the pump (11) being a two-way pump capable of being driven in two opposite directions of rotation to supply one or other of the spray nozzles under the control of said switch (17)

Abstract: A drive motor for at least one wiper arm intended to wipe a glazed surface of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor includes a cam surface linked in concentric rotation with a rotary shaft of the drive motor, and static cam reading means able to cooperate with said cam according to the angular positions occupied by said cam to generate electrical control signals varying as a function of the angular position of the wiper arm on the glazed surface. The cam has a first circular conductive track, a second semi-circular conductive track concentric to the first conductive track and connected to same via a conductive bridge, in which the static reading means are formed by three sliding contacts able to make and break electrical contact with respectively the first and second conductive tracks and the conductive bridge depending on the angular positions occupied by said cam.

Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for wood and improvement in the surface properties of cured coatings of the invention. The invention further relates to a method for improving at least one property such as mechanical, optical or a combination thereof and to a process for preparing a nanocrystalline cellulose-containing hydrodispersible, hydrosoluble and hydrophobic wood coating.

Abstract: An electric apparatus comprises a stator having an array of coils positioned within its periphery and a first rotor having an array of magnet pairs positioned within its periphery. The first rotor has one face adjacent to the stator. A second rotor made of conductive material is positioned adjacent to another face of the first rotor. A coupling mechanism may be connected to the second rotor. The electric apparatus may be connected to an electric power source and act as a motor for driving a mechanical load attached to the coupling mechanism. The electric apparatus may alternatively be connected to an electric load, a turbine being attached to the coupling mechanism for generating electric power. An enclosure may protect components of the electric apparatus against external elements, for example to allow underwater operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for permanently attaching a take-up screw (3) for taking-up the axial clearance of the armature shaft of a windscreen wiper motor. The take-up screw (3) is screwed axially into a bore (1) in the motor base (SM) until it reaches a stop position in relation to the armature shaft (6) locked on the screw, At least one surface discontinuity (2) is provided in the bore (1) and/or the thread of the screw (3), allowing the screw (3) to be screwed into the bore until it reaches the stop position. The screw (3) is screwed into the bore until the stop position is reached and a screw- and/or motor base-deformation strain (D) is applied at the discontinuity (2) in order to deform the side surface of the screw (3) and/or motor base (SM) and permanently attach the screw (3) and/or motor base by means of wedging in the discontinuity. The invention is suitable for the wind-screen wiper motors of motor vehicles.

Abstract: This invention relates to coatings for wood and improvement in the surface properties of cured coatings of the invention. The invention further relates to a method for improving at least one property such as mechanical, optical or a combination thereof and to a process for preparing a nanocrystalline cellulose-containing hydrodispersible, hydrosoluble and hydrophobic wood coating.

Abstract: A sputter target assembly including vent grooves having a certain configuration so as to reduce target arcing during the physical vapor deposition of a film.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a high strength atomic bond between a sputter target and backing plate such that the microstructural characteristics of the sputter target material obtained by prior processing is not altered by the bonding process. There is further provided a method for bonding the target to the backing plate and forming a bonded target/backing plate assembly having a greater target thickness for increased sputtering life, while maintaining the overall standard dimensions set by industry standards.

Abstract: A motorized reduction gear unit having a crank and connecting rod mechanism incorporated in it, but especially for use as a vehicle screen wiper drive unit, comprises a hollow casing having a cover plate, with, within the hollow interior of the casing, a toothed wheel which is rotatable about an axis. The toothed wheel carries a gudgeon pin parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel but eccentric with respect to the latter. The pin drives a crank and connecting rod system in which the crank and connecting rod are articulated together about a pivot pin, so that continuous rotary motion of the toothed wheel is converted into alternating rotary motion of an output shaft. It further includes a peripheral gasket disposed between the upper edge of the casing and the cover plate, together with a friction plate element in the form of a thickened friction portion disposed fixedly on the inner surface of the cover plate facing towards the casing.

Abstract: A motorized reduction gear unit for any purpose having a crank and connecting rod mechanism incorporated in it, but especially for use as a vehicle screen wiper drive unit, comprises a hollow casing having a cover plate, with, within the hollow interior of the casing, a toothed wheel which is rotatable about an axis. The toothed wheel carries a gudgeon pin parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel but eccentric with respect to the latter. The pin drives a crank and connecting rod system in which the crank and connecting rod are articulated together about a pivot pin, so that continuous rotary motion of the toothed wheel is converted thereby into alternating rotary motion of an output shaft. It further includes a peripheral gasket disposed between the upper edge of the casing and the cover plate, together with a friction plate element in the form of a thickened friction portion disposed fixedly on the inner surface of the cover plate facing towards the casing.

Abstract: A motorised reduction gear unit, especially one for driving screen wipers of a vehicle, includes a hollow gearbox casing which is closed by a closure plate. At least a portion of the external surface of the closure plate is electrically conductive. The unit also includes an electronic suppressor comprising a group of electronic components arranged on the conductive portion of the external surface of the closure plate. The suppressor components are enclosed by a housing of generally cap-like configuration, which is electrically conductive. The housing includes at least one means for connecting it electrically with the conductive portion of the external surface of the closure plate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle screen wiper drive unit in the form of a motorised reduction gear unit has a body which is provided with a removable brush carrier plate, together with at least one electrical component connected to the brush carrier plate through a flexible electrical conductor, this component, or these components, being part of the power supply circuit for the drive unit. The brush carrier plate includes means for retaining the said component or components temporarily during fitting of the carrier plate in the body of the unit. The electrical component is arranged for sliding movement with respect to the carrier plate, into cooperation with retaining means formed in the body of the unit for retaining the component. A method of assembly of a brush carrier plate with at least one associated electrical component, in the body of such a drive unit, is also described.