Abstract: Planar magnetic motor (100), characterized by the fact that it comprises a plurality of magnetic poles (111, 121) made of a ferromagnetic material placed at the center of planar coils (110, 120) constituted by at least one layer of turns produced on the surface of a substrate (150) made of a ferromagnetic material, the turns being wound and connected to each other so as to combine the magnetic fluxes generated by the magnetic poles (111, 121). The invention can be used to produced magnetic motors and microactuators.

Abstract: This miniature relay is obtained by micromachining on a substrate using etroforming, photolithography and/or similar techniques, all its components being obtained on the substrate by integration operations similar to those used for fabricating integrated circuits. A mobile contact (26) is borne by an elastic lever (19) attached, overhanging, to the substrate (1). A lever (19) forms a rocker and is attached to the substrate (1) by means of a deformable connection. At each of its free ends is provided an armature (20, 21) of a magnetic circuit which defines a seat against which the armature can be applied with a magnetic force opposite that generated by the elastic deformation of the lever (19).

Abstract: In a MOS-controlled turn-off thyristor (MCT), a conventional integral cell with a combined emitter and short-circuiting function is replaced by a separate DMOS cell (D) and emitter cell (E). The DMOS cell (D) contains a five-layer sequence of cathode short-circuit region (18), first channel region (19), second base layer (7), first base layer (8) and emitter layer (9). The emitter cell (E) contains a four-layer sequence of first emitter region (20), second base layer (7), first base layer (8) and emitter layer (9). This basic structure produces a component which is easy to produce and is distinguished by a high reverse-blocking capability.

Abstract: The obturators can be actuated in order to modulate an incident beam (L). Microshutters (5) are attached to a substrate by means of fastenings opposing resistance to their rotation away from a rest position. The microshutters (5) are placed on optical paths (X--X) so as to be able to interrupt them or establish them. They are fitted out with reflecting surfaces (7) so as to deflect the light when they are in the blocking position. On each optical path (X--X) a supplementary reflecting surface (8), a diaphragm (6) and a focusing means (4) are placed. Thus, in line with its position, each microshutter can focus the light on the diaphragm (6) so as to allow it to pass or to deflect it in order to block it. The application thereof is in the transformation of a beam (L) into a modulated beam (Lm).

Abstract: An adjustable optical component, for example an optical slit having adjustable slit width, comprises a movable member for providing an optical function, for example a slit and/or a shutter, and resilient suspension elements for connecting the movable member to a frame. The essential parts of the movable member, of the resilient suspension elements and of the frame consist of microstructures which are made of a common base material. Preferably, these parts are manufactured from a silicon chip by a micromechanical technique comprising, for example, anisotropic etching. In the case of an optical slit, the movable member comprises a plurality of openings of different widths which constitute a step slit. In order to adjust different slit widths, the member is moved along a line parallel to the center line of the step slit, with the force for moving the member being applied at an opening. When the member is moved by an external force, the resilient silicon beams are bending and the bars are moving.

Abstract: A light modulation device with matrix addressing including a matrix of cells. Each cell has two flaps fixed to a substrate by flexible attachments, a control electrode, a row electrode and a maintenance electrode. The flaps can adopt two stable positions through the application of suitable voltages to the row and maintenance electrodes. The flaps are activated by the application of a control voltage to the electrode at the same time as the voltage on the row electrode is returned to zero. The arrangement of the electrodes together with the existence of a maintenance electrode, which is common to all the flaps on the matrix, allows matrix addressing to be achieved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a device with micro-shutters, e.g., a light modulating device, includes the following steps: producing a first grid presenting cells; providing a plane support by depositing a layer of organic material on the grid filling the cells; producing a second grid on the layer of organic material; depositing a fine metallic layer on the second grid; cutting shutters and shutter attachments in the fine metallic layer; and removing the organic material layer in the cells to free the shutters.

Abstract: A display device comprising an insulating carrier (1) and shutters (V) which are capable of rotating under the effect of an electrical field (E) which is perpendicular to the plane of the carrier. The shutters (V) are grouped in pairs and are controlled by applying a voltage between a shutter and a counter-electrode (c). The control may be multiplexed if the shutters of the same pair have different potentials applied thereto.

Abstract: Each segment of a display device, e.g., a seven-segment display comprises at least one shutter normally obturating a cavity in a carrier on a base plate. Each shutter is suspended by two resilient attachments and can turn about a torsion axis established by these attachments under the influence of an electric field applied between a common electrode on a transparent cover plate and an electrode, individual to the shutter at the bottom of its cavity. An optical contrast is provided by light reflection or absorbance caused by a shutter remaining in a rest obturating position or rotating to an open position to allow light absorption in an absorbing layer backing the base plate which is transparent. A selective light transmission (light valve) construction is equally possible. The shutters themselves may be used as one electrode of each pair, with the torsion axis along a shutter edge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light emitting diode display system powered by ambient light. This solid state electronic display device comprises an ambient irradiated photovoltaic battery energizing through an electronic adapter circuit light emitting diodes selectively chosen to display the desired information. The adapter circuit transforms the electrical power continuously supplied by the photovoltaic battery into energy pulses which are periodically applied to the display. In addition, the adapter circuit automatically adjusts the display brightness in accordance with the ambient illumination level. At low and zero light levels, the electronic display device maintains a visible display by deriving power from a secondary energy source.