Abstract: A timepiece component including a shaft-like portion including at least one pivot about a pivot axis, at least the material forming this shaft-like portion is a non-magnetic alloy containing at least silver and palladium and having a Vickers hardness of more than 450 HV.

Abstract: Horology component intended to cooperate via a lubricated contact with at least one second horology component within a horology movement, said horology component comprising at least two distinct contact surfaces intended to cooperate with the same second horology component, characterized in that said two contact surfaces are offset with respect to one another, such that a first contact surface is adapted to displace a lubricant present on the second horology component towards a surface with which the second contact surface will subsequently come into contact.

Abstract: An escapement for a timepiece, comprising: —an escapement wheel pivotally mounted around a corresponding axis of rotation and intended to be driven by a drive source, said escapement wheel comprising a plurality of teeth; —a pallet fork pivotably mounted around a corresponding axis of rotation, said pallet fork comprising an entry pallet and an exit pallet, each pallet comprising a rest face arranged to block the escapement wheel, as well as a pulse face arranged to interact with the escapement wheel in order to transmit the pulses received from the latter to a regulating member arranged to perform oscillations, said pallet fork being arranged to free the escapement wheel periodically under the control of the regulating member, characterized in that at least one of the pulse faces is shaped in such a way that, on at least one portion of the pulse face, and considered at each point of contact (C?) between the escapement wheel and the pulse face, the tangent of the pulse face intersects the center-to-center dis

Abstract: The invention relates to a setting mechanism for a timepiece movement, including a setting gear train, a winder rod adapted to be moved from a first axial position termed a running position to a second axial position termed a setting position, a sliding pinion adapted to be moved from a first axial position in which the sliding pinion is disengaged from the setting gear train to a second axial position in which the sliding pinion meshes with the setting gear train, and a lever interengaged with the sliding pinion and adapted to pivot, when the winding rod is moved from a running position to a setting position and vice versa, in order to move the sliding pinion from the first axial position to the second and vice versa. The setting mechanism further includes, according to the invention, a device for immobilizing the setting gear train. This immobilizing device includes first and second immobilizing arms and an immobilizing wheel interengaged with the setting gear train.

Abstract: A pivot arbor for a timepiece movement including at least one pivot made of a non-magnetic metal material at at least one of its ends in order to limit its sensitivity to magnetic fields. The non-magnetic metal material is a non-magnetic light metal or a non-magnetic alloy of the light metal, and at least the external surface of the pivot is coated with an anodic oxide layer of the material, obtained by anodic growth.

Abstract: The mechanical timepiece movement with running reserve indication comprises at least one barrel system with a winding output connected to a winding wheel of a differential gear, and with an unwinding output connected to an unwinding wheel of the differential gear. It includes a locking wheel set driven in rotation by an intermediate wheel of the differential gear. The locking wheel set is connected to a running reserve indicator to display the running reserve. The locking wheel set includes a locking element for coming into contact with the unwinding wheel of the differential gear when the running reserve is at zero, in order to lock the timepiece movement.

Abstract: The mechanical timepiece movement includes an escapement having a pallet-lever arranged to move alternately into abutment with two banking elements in locking periods. The pallet-lever carries at least a first permanent magnet and the timepiece movement further includes a first element and a second element of high magnetic permeability and a second magnet and a third magnet respectively integral with first and second elements of high magnetic permeability and each arranged on an opposite side to a first magnet relative to the respective elements of high magnetic permeability. This magnetic system generates, in a first part of a first half vibration of any vibration of the pallet-lever, an overall force of magnetic attraction, defining a magnetic draw additional to the mechanical draw generated by the escape wheel, and, in a second part of this first half vibration, an overall force of magnetic repulsion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillator comprising a pivoting staff connected to a mechanical energy source, an inertia-elasticity resonator formed in one piece, which is mounted on the pivoting staff, a detent escapement comprising a single-piece detent fixed to the pivoting staff, which comprises at least one flexible blade and a stop member arranged to elastically lock the pivoting staff in relation to a concentric escapement toothing, wherein the release element is arranged to elastically unlock the stop member in relation to the concentric escapement toothing, by the movement of the member forming the inertia, so that the pivoting staff counts each oscillation of the resonator while transmitting to it the energy able to maintain it.

Abstract: An escapement mechanism including a stop member including a first actuator cooperating with a resonator and a second actuator cooperating with an escape wheel set subjected to a drive torque lower than a nominal torque. The first actuator includes a magnetically or electrically charged pole piece, the resonator includes a magnetically or electrically charged track, and the pole piece and/or the track create, in an air gap between the pole piece and the track, a magnetic or electrostatic field having an intensity ensuring relative driving of the stop member and of the resonator when the torque is lower than the nominal torque. The stop member and/or the resonator include an arresting mechanism limiting relative movement between the actuator and the resonator when the torque is greater than the nominal torque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to correct for scatter in projection data by successive approximations of a primary-beam estimate and a scatter estimate. The scatter estimate is calculated by convolving a scattering function, which is a function of the primary-beam estimate, with a smoothing function that includes Rayleigh scattering and Compton scattering terms. The scattering function is greater than zero in the limit that the primary-beam estimate goes to zero. The projection data can be X-ray computed tomography projection data, and the choice of scattering function has the benefit of reducing dark-band artefacts in reconstructed computed tomography images.

Abstract: A metal pivot pin includes at least one pivot at at least one of its ends, and the metal is an austenitic steel, an austenitic cobalt alloy, or an austenitic nickel alloy in order to limit a sensitivity of the pin to magnetic fields. At least an outer surface of the at least one pivot is hardened to a predetermined depth relative to the rest of the pin in order to harden the at least one pivot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece including a resonator cooperating with an escapement system. According to the invention, the escapement system includes a moving escape wheel arranged coaxially to the balance and driven by the gear train of the timepiece, a first fixed wheel having a first toothing and a second fixed wheel having a second toothing, the first and second fixed wheels being arranged coaxially to the moving escape wheel and a device for securing the outer end of the balance spring including a part hinged relative to the moving escape wheel and arranged to ensure a radial movement of the outer end between the first and second toothings to maintain the resonator and to transmit the motion thereof to the timepiece gear train.

Abstract: Timepiece wheel (1) overmoulded onto an arbour (2). The wheel is plastic injection overmoulded onto a washer (3) fitted onto said arbour (2). Said washer (3) is of lower density than that of said arbour (2). Said washer (3) includes at least one plane surface (4) forming a bearing and sealing surface (40) for cooperating in a sealed manner with an injection mould for the overmoulding operation. A particular version is an escape wheel whose teeth are formed during overmoulding onto said arbour (2) and said washer (3), and it includes an escape pinion (5) mounted in abutment on said washer (3) or integral with said washer (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system of assembling a member, made of a first material, in the aperture of a part made of a second material having no usable plastic domain, using an intermediate portion (7, 27, 47, 67, 87) made of a third material, mounted between said member and said part. According to the invention, the part is accommodated against a first level (6) of the intermediate portion and is resiliently locked on a second level of the intermediate portion by the member in order to secure together the unit comprising the member—intermediate portion—part. The invention concerns the field of timepieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal pivot pin including a pivot at each of its ends, wherein the metal is an austenitic steel, an austenitic cobalt alloy or an austenitic nickel alloy in order to limit the sensitivity of the pin to magnetic fields and in that at least the outer surface of one of the two pivots is hardened to a predetermined depth relative to the rest of the pin in order to harden the pivot(s). The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pivot pin for a timepiece movement including at least one pivot at at least one of the ends thereof, characterized in that said at least one pivot is formed of a composite material having a metallic matrix including at least one metal selected from among nickel, titanium, chromium, zirconium, silver, gold, platinum, silicon, molybdenum, aluminium or an alloy of the above metals, said matrix being charged with hard particles selected from among WC, TiC, TaC, TiN, TiCN, Al2O3, ZrO2, Cr2O3, SiC, MoSi2, Al N or a combination thereof, so as to limit the sensitivity of the pin to magnetic fields. The invention concerns the field of timepiece movements.

Abstract: Method for coating micromechanical components of a micromechanical system, in particular a watch movement, comprising: providing a substrate component to be coated; providing said component with a diamond coating; wherein diamond coating is provide by CVD in a reaction chamber and during CVD deposition, during the last portion of the growth process, a controlled change of the carbon content within the reaction chamber is provided, thereby providing a change of the sp2/sp3 carbon bonds in the vicinity of the surface. Corresponding micromechanical components are also provided.

Abstract: A functional micromechanical timepiece assembly including at least a first component, including a first layer defining a first contact surface configured to come into friction contact with a second contact surface defined by a second layer, the second layer belonging, either to the first component, or to at least a second micromechanical component forming the assembly with the first component. The first and second layers each include carbon with at least 50% carbon atoms and, on the first and second contact surfaces, the layers have different surface crystalline plane orientations from each other.

Abstract: A regulating organ adapted to be integrated into a mechanical watch, comprising a first balance and a first spiral fastened to an axle, and-at least one second balance, wherein the second balance is fastened on the axle of said first balance.

Abstract: Timepiece movement including a module fitted with a first wheel set meshing with a second wheel set, which pivots on a base on which the module is mounted. The movement includes a means of positioning the module formed by a cam, at least most of the periphery of which forms an Archimedes' spiral. The cam is arranged so as to allow the distance of centers between the first and second wheel sets to be adjusted, when the cam is rotated on itself about the center of the Archimedes' spiral. The cam is preferably calibrated. The invention also concerns a method of adjusting the distance of centers between the two wheel sets using said cam to optimise the gearing efficiency of the two wheel sets.

Abstract: The process comprises the following steps: a) a first element (3) or a plurality of said first elements (3) is/are machined in a first silicon wafer (1) keeping said elements (3) joined together via material bridges (5); b) step a) is repeated with a second silicon wafer (2) in order to machine a second element (4), differing in shape from that of the first element (3), or a plurality of said second elements (4); c) the first and second elements (3, 4) or the first and second wafers (1, 2) are applied, face to face, with the aid of positioning means (6, 7); d) the assembly formed in step c) undergoes oxidation; and e) the parts (10) are separated form the wafers (1, 2). Micromechanical timepiece parts obtained according to the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a timepiece movement allowing the arrangement of the various displays to be varied. The movement according to the invention comprises a first module provided both with a first frame and with at least one first wheel assembly mounted rotatably on the first frame, a second module provided both with a second frame and with at least one second wheel assembly mounted rotatably on the second frame, which first and second wheel assemblies are connected kinematically together, positioning means, and, connected to the first and second frames, means for fixing the modules to each other. The positioning means are positioned concentrically with the axis of rotation of either the first or second wheel assembly and are arranged so as to allow relative positioning of the two modules in a plurality of angular positions with reference to the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly with which the positioning means are concentric.

Abstract: The timepiece includes a chronograph whose hands are driven by a first gear train (4), which in turn drives a first resonator (5) and a watch whose hands are driven by a second gear train (8) independent of the first gear train, wherein the second gear train in turn drives a second resonator (9). The first (4) and second (8) gear trains are driven from a single energy source (10).

Abstract: The escapement comprises an escape wheel assembly (1), a balance roller (3) carrying an impulse pin (4) and a first impulse pallet (5). It further comprises a lever (8) provided with a second impulse pallet (11) and with first and second locking pallets (12, 13). The wheel assembly (1) comprises an escape wheel with teeth (6) that mesh directly with the teeth (20) of the last wheel of a gear train (2), the teeth (6) of the wheel (1) engaging with the impulse and locking pallets.

Abstract: The part is made from a plate (1) made of a brittle material, such as glass, quartz or silicon and includes at least one aperture (2, 4, 6) for driving in a shaft (5). This aperture is characterized in that it includes alternately rigidifying and positioning zones (8) and resilient deformation zones (10). Application to securing a shaft onto the moving parts of a timepiece movement.

Abstract: A timepiece comprising a main energy storing device, a gear train coupled to the main energy storing device, a tensioning element coupled to the gear train, the tensioning element configured to be driven about a tensioning axis in cyclic steps, a tensioning control system configured to control the tensioning element, a storage hairspring having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the tensioning element, a wheel connected to the second end of the storage hairspring, a clockwork movement rotatably driven by the wheel, an escapement coupled to the clockwork movement and a device configured to be switched in a stepwise manner and driven rotatably in cyclic steps by an element of the gear train.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical part made of insulating material, such as a silicon balance spring (1) for a timepiece movement, tends to adhere to a neighboring part when it is in movement, such as the balance cock (9). This drawback is removed by carrying out, over all or part of the surface, a thin deposition of a layer of conductive material, such as a metal, which is preferably non-oxidizing and non-magnetic, such as gold, platinum, rhodium or silicon.

Abstract: A timepiece movement having at least two regulating members with their escapement and elements for alternately stopping and releasing the operation of the regulating members, such that a single regulating member is thus driven at any one time by means of the energy source of the timepiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tourbillon mechanism comprising at least one platform, a balance arranged on the face of the platform(s), an escapement mechanism being arranged on the other face.

Abstract: The timepiece escapement includes first (3) and second (4) impulse pallet stones secured to the balance (2) directly cooperating with the teeth of the escape wheel set (1) and a brake lever (5) periodically driven by the balance, the brake lever being provided with first (6) and second (7) locking pallet stones arranged for cooperating with the teeth of the escape wheel set (1).

Abstract: The escapement includes an escape wheel set (1), a balance roller (3) carrying an impulse pin (4) and a first impulse pallet stone (5). It further includes a pallet assembly (8) fitted with a second impulse pallet stone (11) and first and second locking pallet stone (12, 13). The wheel set (1) includes at least one escape wheel fitted with teeth (6) that mesh directly with the teeth (20) of the first wheel of a gear train (2), the teeth (6) of the wheel (1) cooperating with the impulse pallet stones and locking pallet stones.

Abstract: The escapement includes two distinct escape wheel sets (1, 2), a roller (3) including a first impulse pallet stone (5) cooperating with the first wheel set (1) and a third impulse pallet stone (12) cooperating with the second wheel set (2). An anchor piece (6) articulated on a pivot (7) cooperates with an impulse pin (4) via a fork (8) fitted to the anchor piece. This anchor piece carries second (9) and fourth (13) impulse pallet stones respectively cooperating with the first (1) and second (2) wheel sets. The same anchor piece carries first (10) and second (11) locking pallet stones cooperating with the second wheel set (2).

Abstract: The lever escapement includes at least one escape wheel (2). The pallet assembly (5) is fitted with locking pallet stones (6, 7) and a first impulse pallet stone (8) cooperating with the teeth of the wheel (2). The pallet assembly (5) drives an auxiliary wheel set (9) carrying a second impulse pallet stone (10) cooperating with the teeth of the wheel (2).

Abstract: The movement (1) of the watch includes a constant force device (14) inserted in a going rain connecting a spring barrel (2) to an escapement having an escapement wheel and including a third wheel which completes one revolution in several minutes. The input element of the constant force device (14) is the third wheel (12), the output element of said device (14) being a second third wheel (20) connected via gearing to the seconds pinion (38). The second third wheel is secured to a star wheel (26) that only releases the train upstream of the constant force device once per minute, thus forming an independent minutes display because the minute hand (7) jumps forward at each minute. This arrangement minimizes the transmission of shocks between the constant force device and the escapement and can advantageously be combined with a tourbillon (40).

Abstract: The escapement includes a large plate 4 carrying a first finger 14 and a blocking member 6 carrying a second finger 11 and a locking pallet-stone 7. The first and second fingers 14 and 11 are shaped such that when the large plate 4 rotates in a first direction a, the first finger 14 drives the second 11 which moves around a first side 20 of said first finger to release the locking pallet-stone. Re-engagement occurs when the second finger 11 climbs over a vertical flank 25 of a notch 22 made in a small plate 23. When the large plate 4 rotates in a second direction b, opposite to the first, the first finger 14 drives the second finger 11 which moves around a second side 21, opposite to the first, of said first finger 14 to keep the locking pallet-stone 7 in the escapement wheel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece comprising a mainspring with constant torque, having a balance spring and a balance wheel, the balance wheel (7) oscillation being maintained through an escapement mobile element (2) by moving a fixation point of the balance spring (6) when the oscillator passes through the oscillator impulse point, bringing about a circular motion of said balance spring (6) fixation point about the oscillator, thereby driving in rotation in time the mainspring-escapement assembly (2,6,7).

Abstract: A constant-force device for precise regulation of mechanical watch movements by means of a uniform transmission of force from the escape wheel to the regulating organ of the watch, this device being adapted to be integrated into a Tourbillon mechanism.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio signal from a record carrier having a first digital audio signal (a PCM encoded audio signal) recorded on it in a first format and a second digital audio signal (an MPEG encoded multi channel audio signal) recorded on it in a second format. The apparatus includes a read unit for reading an information signal from the record carrier, a decoding unit for channel decoding the information signal read from the record carrier into a decoded information signal, a keyboard for receiving a selection signal and an output terminal for supplying an output signal which comprises either the first digital audio signal or the second digital audio signal in response to said selection signal. An output circuit is available to add an identification signal (bit b1) into the output signal, indicating that the output signal includes either the first digital audio signal or another audio signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tourbillon mechanism comprising a cage (1), an escapement wheel (3), an anchor (5) and a balance wheel. The cage (1) comprises an upper portion (1a) and a lower portion (1b) with cylindrical skirts and adapted to be superposed on each other. Moreover, the cage (1) is associated with a monolithic bridge (7) ensuring the positioning of the escapement wheel (3) and of the anchor (5). The cage is of aluminum alloy treated by anodic oxidation.

Abstract: The invention concerns an escapement device comprising a power source capable of delivering a variable torque based on the angle of rotation of a pinion fixed to said power source, said variable torque having at least a stable position and an unstable position. The device further comprises locking means capable of locking power transmission to an oscillator in a stable point of equilibrium and unlocking means capable of unlocking power transmission to said oscillator between a stable point of equilibrium and an unstable point of equilibrium.

Abstract: An intermittent feed mechanism has a counting wheel and a cam balancer mounted on the counting wheel and having a hole. A feed pawl is mounted on the cam balancer and has a spring portion and a pawl portion. The pawl portion of the feed pawl has a protrusion disposed in the hole of the cam balancer and pressed against an edge portion of the hole by a biasing force of the spring portion.

Abstract: To the spindles of the mechanism (1) of a wall clock or a table clock are mounted, in substitution of the hands, two couples of cams (8, 9 and 6, 7) which transmit respectively to hands (11 and 12) of the minutes and the hours rotating around a spindle (18), an anti-clockwise direction movement different from the ones of the mechanism (1) on a 120° circular sector instead of on a clock-face. The sector is graduated in order to indicate the hours along an arc of twelve hours and 60 minutes.

Abstract: Chain wheel assembly unit for weight movement of a clock movement and/or of a striking train of a clock comprises a chain wheel (22), which is arranged on a shaft (1) between two coaxial profiled disks (20, 21), is in rotary connection with a drive gear (7) axially fixed on the shaft (1) via a directional locking mechanism in the direction of drive and is pressed with its two profiled disks (20, 21) against the drive gear (7) by a spring in the axial direction. The chain wheel (22) and the first profiled disk (20) located between it and the drive gear (7) are in connection with one another, rotating in unison, at least in the direction of drive, through a coupling element (14). This profiled disk (20) has at least one axially movable flexible tongue (31 through 34), which engages a support surface ring (9) of the drive gear. The second profiled disk (21) is designed as a mute disk and holds together the parts which are otherwise seated loosely on the shaft (1).

Abstract: In an electronic watch, a hand wheel gear 109b in a gear train has a tooth 124 having a profile K so as to prevent the backward movement of a hand 104. During initialization, the gear train is rotated backward such that the hand 104 is turned to the backward movement preventing position, which serves as an initializing position, and a reference position during detection of a hand position. Usually, a backward movement command is issued when the hand 104 is supposed to be at the reference position. The hand 104 is judged to be out of the reference position when its backward movement is detected.

Abstract: In a clock provided with a mechanical drive for the going train and having one or more striking mechanisms controlled by the going train, the motion regulator of the going train comprises a quartz-controlled stepping mechanism whose arbor is in drive connection with the wheelwork of the going train via an escapement. The connection insures that each step of its arbor releases the going train subject to the torque of the mechanical drive for a defined angle. Thereby it becomes possible to use for the going train a commercial, i.e. low-torque, quartz controlled stepping mechanism and yet to have available the torques required for the control of one or more striking mechanisms. It is of advantage if, between the arbor of the stepping mechanism and the wheelwork of the going train gear, elements in the form of a pallet controlled by a cam plate or in the form of a worm wheel engagement are provided, which gear elements remain in self-lock but are releasable from the self-lock by the arbor.

Abstract: An escapement device has a latch plate interposed between an input and output shaft. The latch plate is pivotably connected to the input and output shafts. The latch plate has a shoulder which abuts a coaxially mounted gear ring. The output shaft is spring loaded to rotate in one direction. The input shaft can be rotated to disengage the shoulder of the latch from one of the gear ring teeth to allow the output shaft to rotate under its spring bias until the output shaft repositions the latch shoulder to reengage another one of the gear ring teeth.

Abstract: A metal chalcogenide coating, in particular of molybdenum sulphide, is deposited on a substrate by high speed cathode sputtering. This coating is turbostratic and has an unusually high resistance to wear produced by frictional forces.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for the trajectory for a projectile fuse.The mechanism uses a symmetrical escapement of the cylindrical dead-beat type which does not comprise an inlet lip. The balance comprises two cheeks located one on each side of the escapement wheel, a cylindrical sector being provided on each cheek. Impulses provided by the escapement wheel are transmitted alternately to one of the two sectors then to the other sector, thereby causing the balance to oscillate first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An elapsed time indicator is provided which performs accurate and reliable time measurements. The device includes an indicator assembly having a plurality of numbered wheels drivingly coupled to a drive wheel having a plurality of upstanding peripheral teeth. A verge escapement mechanism employs a side acting verge member which moves in a predetermined plane and acts on only one side of the drive wheel. The peripheral teeth of the drive wheel cooperate with the verge member to move the drive wheel through predetermined intervals and drive the numbered wheels of the indicator assembly. An electromagnet pulsed by a solid state time base and driver circuit oscillates the verge member to advance the drive wheel and to operate the indicator assembly.

Abstract: An assembly comprising an escapement timepiece pallet anchor and its frame is disclosed, wherein the pallet anchor is in the form of one piece of plastics material having three arms and is rotatably mounted on the frame. The assembly comprises means for limiting the angle of rotation of the pallet anchor, which means include at least one auxiliary portion on the piece forming the pallet anchor and at least one part rigid with the frame disposed to cooperate with said auxiliary portion.