Abstract: A heat-exchange device includes a flow enclosure defined by two external plates, a first inlet and a first outlet for a first heat-transfer fluid, a second inlet and a second outlet for a second heat-transfer fluid, and an exchanger block with plates disposed in the flow enclosure so as to be in fluid communication with the inlets and outlets in order to permit the flow of the first fluid and of the second fluid into and through this exchanger block and the transfer of calories therebetween. Each external plate has at least one hollow. An air-conditioning system may include such device and an aircraft, in turn, can include such air-conditioning system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger which is intended, for example, for a motor vehicle and which comprises a tube bundle (2) and spacers which are positioned between the tubes of the bundle in order to promote the exchange of heat. The bundle is defined by two end spacers (70, 71). The inventive exchanger also comprises two collector plates through which the ends of the bundle are intended to pass and at least one flange (50, 51) which is disposed on one or the end spacers. Advantageously, the flange comprises at least one expansion zone (80) in order to compensate for the longitudinal expansions thereof, while the transverse section of the flange in the expansion zone is essentially U shaped.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger which is intended, for example, for a motor vehicle and which comprises a tube bundle (2) and spacers which are positioned between the tubes of the bundle in order to promote the exchange of heat. The bundle is defined by two end spacers (70, 71). The inventive exchanger also comprises two collector plates through which the ends of the bundle are intended to pass and at least one flange (50, 51) which is disposed on one or the end spacers. Advantageously, the flange comprises at least one expansion zone (80) in order to compensate for the longitudinal expansions thereof, while the transverse section of the flange in the expansion zone is essentially U shaped.

Abstract: A drop/insert apparatus for dropping/inserting channels on a both-way multi-channel optical link includes a "line" optical fiber serving to convey optical signals in two opposite transmission directions, over at least two channels having distinct wavelengths per transmission direction.

Abstract: A process for locating a fault on an optical transmission link using a coherent detection reflectometer at a terminal sends over the transmission link measuring pulses and a loading signal interleaved between the measuring pulses. The loading signal is chosen to have the same optical wavelength as the measuring pulses with which it is combined and an extended bandwidth such that the power that it develops in the narrow measuring band of the reflectometer is negligible compared to that developed by the measuring pulses.

Abstract: In an optical communication system using polarization scrambling of the transmitted optical signal, the scrambling causes the polarization vector to rotate. The scrambler includes a modulator to modulate either the phase or the wavelength of the optical signal. A polarization dispersion device converts the phase modulation or wavelength modulation into polarization modulation. This polarization dispersion device consists of the optical communication fibers on the output side of the modulator.