Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a resistor formed of a lightly-doped P-type region formed in a portion of a lightly-doped N-type semiconductor well extending on a lightly-doped P-type semiconductor substrate, the well being laterally delimited by a P-type wall extending down to the substrate, the portion of the well being delimited, vertically, by a heavily-doped N-type area at the limit between the well and the substrate and, horizontally, by a heavily-doped N-type wall. A diode may be placed between a terminal of the resistor and the heavily-doped N-type wall, the cathode of the diode being connected to said terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a resistor formed of a lightly-doped P-type region formed in a portion of a lightly-doped N-type semiconductor well extending on a lightly-doped P-type semiconductor substrate, the well being laterally delimited by a P-type wall extending down to the substrate, the portion of the well being delimited, vertically, by a heavily-doped N-type area at the limit between the well and the substrate and, horizontally, by a heavily-doped N-type wall. A diode may be placed between a terminal of the resistor and the heavily-doped N-type wall, the cathode of the diode being connected to said terminal.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structure having at least one flexible layer based on compressed expanded graphite particles characterized in that the density of the said flexible layer is equal to at least 0.4 g/cm3 (400 kg/m3) and in that the thermal insulation structure also includes another layer close to the flexible layer based on compressed graphite particles with a lower density, typically less than 0.4 g/cm3 (400 kg/m3). Preferably, the dense compressed expanded graphite layer has a density of between 0.5 and 1.6 g/cm3 (500 and 1600 kg/m3) and the sub-dense compressed expanded graphite layer has a density of between 0.05 and 0.3 g/cm3 (50 and 300 kg/m3). Thermal insulation elements are also described that are designed to be fitted on furnaces operating under non-oxidizing atmosphere and at temperatures of more than 800° C.

Abstract: Thermal insulation structure having at least one flexible layer based on compressed expanded graphite particles characterised in that the density of the said flexible layer is equal to at least 0.4 g/cm3 (400 kg/m3) and in that the thermal insulation structure also includes another layer close to the flexible layer based on compressed graphite particles with a lower density, typically less than 0.4 g/cm3 (400 kg/m3). Preferably, the dense compressed expanded graphite layer has a density of between 0.5 and 1.6 g/cm3 (500 and 1600 kg/m3) and the sub-dense compressed expanded graphite layer has a density of between 0.05 and 0.3 g/cm3 (50 and 300 kg/m3). Thermal insulation elements are also described that are designed to be fitted on furnaces operating under non-oxidising atmosphere and at temperatures of more than 800° C.

Abstract: There is proposed a method of controlling an engine aerodyne in the climb phase, wherein a velocity variation law as a function of altitude is imposed. Moreover, there is set a law of variation of the engine speed corresponding generally to progerssive decrease in such speed as altitude increases. Optimization of exploitation costs in the climb phase can be reached mainly by taking into account the engine maintenance costs by means of a wear model.