Patents by Inventor Laurent Gonthier
Laurent Gonthier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11936288Abstract: An AC capacitor is coupled to a totem-pole type PFC circuit. In response to detection of a power input disconnection, the PFC circuit is controlled to discharge the AC capacitor. The PFC circuit includes a resistor and a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET coupled in series between DC output nodes with a common node coupled to the AC capacitor. When the disconnection event is detected, one of the first and second MOSFETs is turned on to discharge the AC capacitor with a current flowing through the resistor and the turned on MOSFET. Furthermore, a thyristor may be simultaneously turned on, with the discharge current flowing through a series coupling of the MOSFET, resistor and thyristor. Disconnection is detected by detecting a zero-crossing failure of an AC power input voltage or lack of input voltage decrease or input current increase in response to MOSFET turn on for a DC input.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTDInventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20230412084Abstract: The present description concerns a circuit for converting from a first alternating voltage to a second voltage. The circuit includes: a first thyristor; a first control circuit of the first thyristor; a power factor correction circuit comprising a coil; and a first circuit configured to convert a third voltage into a fourth DC voltage. The third voltage corresponds to a difference between a potential at a first node connected to an output node of the coil and a reference potential. The fourth DC voltage is configured to supply the first control circuit of the first thyristor, and is referenced with respect to the same reference potential as the third voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent GONTHIER
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Patent number: 11711013Abstract: A circuit includes two thyristors coupled in anti-series. An AC capacitor has first and second electrodes respectively coupled to two different electrodes of the two thyristors. The first and second electrodes are coupled to receive an AC voltage. A control circuit detects discontinuance of application of the AC voltage to the AC capacitor and in response thereto simultaneously applies same gate currents to the two thyristors. A current path through the two thyristors (one passing current in forward mode and the other in reverse mode) discharges a residual voltage stored on the AC capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 11515805Abstract: A capacitive element has its terminals coupled together by two thyristors electrically in antiparallel. The discharge of the capacitive element is controlled by the application of a gate current to one thyristor of the two thyristors which is in a reverse-biased state in response to a voltage stored across the terminals of the capacitive element. The reverse-biased thyristor responds to the applied gate current by passing a leakage current to discharge the stored voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20220360190Abstract: The present description concerns a converter comprising an AC-DC conversion stage comprising a first thyristor, a first power supply circuit delivering a first reference voltage between a first node and a second node, and a second power supply circuit delivering a second reference voltage between third and fourth nodes, the cathode of the first thyristor being coupled to the first node of the first power supply circuit by a first switch and being connected to the fourth node, the second power supply circuit comprising a first rectifying element coupled to the second node of the first power supply circuit and coupled to the third node.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS LTDInventor: Laurent GONTHIER
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Publication number: 20220123650Abstract: A circuit includes two thyristors coupled in anti-series. An AC capacitor has first and second electrodes respectively coupled to two different electrodes of the two thyristors. The first and second electrodes are coupled to receive an AC voltage. A control circuit detects discontinuance of application of the AC voltage to the AC capacitor and in response thereto simultaneously applies same gate currents to the two thyristors. A current path through the two thyristors (one passing current in forward mode and the other in reverse mode) discharges a residual voltage stored on the AC capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2022Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent GONTHIER
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Publication number: 20220103062Abstract: An AC capacitor is coupled to a totem-pole type PFC circuit. In response to detection of a power input disconnection, the PFC circuit is controlled to discharge the AC capacitor. The PFC circuit includes a resistor and a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET coupled in series between DC output nodes with a common node coupled to the AC capacitor. When the disconnection event is detected, one of the first and second MOSFETs is turned on to discharge the AC capacitor with a current flowing through the resistor and the turned on MOSFET. Furthermore, a thyristor may be simultaneously turned on, with the discharge current flowing through a series coupling of the MOSFET, resistor and thyristor. Disconnection is detected by detecting a zero-crossing failure of an AC power input voltage or lack of input voltage decrease or input current increase in response to MOSFET turn on for a DC input.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTDInventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Laurent GONTHIER
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Patent number: 11271493Abstract: A rectifying bridge has a thyristor coupled in series with a rectifying element between a first rectified output terminal of a rectifying bridge circuit and a second rectified output terminal of the rectifying bridge circuit. A diode is coupled in series with a DC voltage source between a gate of the thyristor and the second rectified output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics LTDInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Yu Tsao Lin
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Patent number: 11251696Abstract: A circuit includes two thyristors coupled in anti-series. An AC capacitor has first and second electrodes respectively coupled to two different electrodes of the two thyristors. The first and second electrodes are coupled to receive an AC voltage. A control circuit detects discontinuance of application of the AC voltage to the AC capacitor and in response thereto simultaneously applies same gate currents to the two thyristors. A current path through the two thyristors (one passing current in forward mode and the other in reverse mode) discharges a residual voltage stored on the AC capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 11228239Abstract: An AC capacitor is coupled to a totem-pole type PFC circuit. In response to detection of a power input disconnection, the PFC circuit is controlled to discharge the AC capacitor. The PFC circuit includes a resistor and a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET coupled in series between DC output nodes with a common node coupled to the AC capacitor. When the disconnection event is detected, one of the first and second MOSFETs is turned on to discharge the AC capacitor with a current flowing through the resistor and the turned on MOSFET. Furthermore, a thyristor may be simultaneously turned on, with the discharge current flowing through a series coupling of the MOSFET, resistor and thyristor. Disconnection is detected by detecting a zero-crossing failure of an AC power input voltage or lack of input voltage decrease or input current increase in response to MOSFET turn on for a DC input.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTDInventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20210336533Abstract: An AC capacitor is coupled to a totem-pole type PFC circuit. In response to detection of a power input disconnection, the PFC circuit is controlled to discharge the AC capacitor. The PFC circuit includes a resistor and a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET coupled in series between DC output nodes with a common node coupled to the AC capacitor. When the disconnection event is detected, one of the first and second MOSFETs is turned on to discharge the AC capacitor with a current flowing through the resistor and the turned on MOSFET. Furthermore, a thyristor may be simultaneously turned on, with the discharge current flowing through a series coupling of the MOSFET, resistor and thyristor. Disconnection is detected by detecting a zero-crossing failure of an AC power input voltage or lack of input voltage decrease or input current increase in response to MOSFET turn on for a DC input.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTDInventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Laurent GONTHIER
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Publication number: 20210226553Abstract: A capacitive element has its terminals coupled together by two thyristors electrically in antiparallel. The discharge of the capacitive element is controlled by the application of a gate current to one thyristor of the two thyristors which is in a reverse-biased state in response to a voltage stored across the terminals of the capacitive element. The reverse-biased thyristor responds to the applied gate current by passing a leakage current to discharge the stored voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent GONTHIER
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Publication number: 20200395866Abstract: A rectifying bridge has a thyristor coupled in series with a rectifying element between a first rectified output terminal of a rectifying bridge circuit and a second rectified output terminal of the rectifying bridge circuit. A diode is coupled in series with a DC voltage source between a gate of the thyristor and the second rectified output terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Laurent GONTHIER, Yu Tsao LIN
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Publication number: 20200381992Abstract: A circuit includes two thyristors coupled in anti-series. An AC capacitor has first and second electrodes respectively coupled to two different electrodes of the two thyristors. The first and second electrodes are coupled to receive an AC voltage. A control circuit detects discontinuance of application of the AC voltage to the AC capacitor and in response thereto simultaneously applies same gate currents to the two thyristors. A current path through the two thyristors (one passing current in forward mode and the other in reverse mode) discharges a residual voltage stored on the AC capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: STMicroelectronics LTDInventor: Laurent GONTHIER
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Patent number: 10686388Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal to receive an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal to deliver a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge is provided in the converter. A controllable switching or rectifying element has a control terminal configured to receive a control current. A first switch is coupled between a supply voltage and the control terminal to inject the control current. A second switch is coupled between the control terminal and a reference voltage to extract the control current. The first and second switches are selectively actuated by a control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi
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Patent number: 10483869Abstract: Embodiments are directed to power conversion circuits including a bypass circuit for bypassing an inrush current limiting resistor. In one embodiment, a power conversion circuit is provided that includes a bridge rectifier, a current limiting resistor, a controllable current switching device, and a driver. The current limiting resistor has a first terminal coupled to an output terminal of the bridge rectifier and a second terminal coupled to an electrical ground. The controllable current switching device has conduction terminals coupled in parallel with respect to the current limiting resistor. The driver is coupled between the first terminal of the current limiting resistor and a control terminal of the current switching device, and the driver controls an operation of the current switching device based on a current through the current limiting resistor.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS LTDInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Kimi Lu, Jack Wang
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Publication number: 20190222136Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal to receive an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal to deliver a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge is provided in the converter. A controllable switching or rectifying element has a control terminal configured to receive a control current. A first switch is coupled between a supply voltage and the control terminal to inject the control current. A second switch is coupled between the control terminal and a reference voltage to extract the control current. The first and second switches are selectively actuated by a control circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Laurent GONTHIER, Roberto LAROSA, Giulio ZOPPI
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Patent number: 10298143Abstract: A rectifying circuit including: between a first terminal of application of an AC voltage and a first rectified voltage delivery terminal, at least one first diode; and between a second terminal of application of the AC voltage and a second rectified voltage delivery terminal, at least one first anode-gate thyristor, the anode of the first thyristor being connected to the second rectified voltage delivery terminal; and at least one first stage for controlling the first thyristor, including: a first transistor coupling the thyristor gate to a terminal of delivery of a potential which is negative with respect to the potential of the second rectified voltage delivery terminal; and a second transistor connecting a control terminal of the first transistor to a terminal for delivering a potential which is positive with respect to the potential of the second rectified voltage delivery terminal, the anode of the first thyristor being connected to the common potential of voltages defined by said positive and negative pType: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 10284107Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal to receive an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal to deliver a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge is provided in the converter. A controllable switching or rectifying element has a control terminal configured to receive a control current. A first switch is coupled between a supply voltage and the control terminal to inject the control current. A second switch is coupled between the control terminal and a reference voltage to extract the control current. The first and second switches are selectively actuated by a control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi
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Patent number: 10014797Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes: a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for supplying a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge includes input terminals respectively coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and output terminals respectively coupled to the third terminal and fourth terminal. A first branch of the rectifying bridge includes, connected between the output terminals, two series-connected thyristors with a junction point of the two thyristors being connected to a first one of the input terminals. A second branch of the rectifying bridge is formed by series connected diodes. A control circuit is configured to generate control signals for application to the control gates of the thyristors.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina, Romain Pichon