Patents by Inventor Antoine Passal

Antoine Passal 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).

  • Power supply circuit with low stand-by losses
    Patent number: 9263966
    Abstract: A circuit for converting an A.C. power supply voltage into a D.C. voltage, including: a first branch capable of providing a first power level; and a second parallel branch capable of providing a second power level greater than the first one, the second branch including a bidirectional activation switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • Capacitor charge circuit
    Patent number: 9172264
    Abstract: A circuit can be used for charging a capacitor with an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a capacitor coupled to be charged with the AC voltage. An adjustment is configured to adjust a capacitor charge speed according to a value of the AC voltage. The adjustment circuit includes at least one bipolar transistor coupled to receive a voltage at a base of the bipolar transistor. The voltage is a function of the value of the AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • Circuit for controlling a lighting unit having a periodic power supply with a thyristor
    Patent number: 8994283
    Abstract: A circuit capable of receiving, in series with at least one light-emitting diode, a rectified A.C. voltage, comprising: a first gate turn-off thyristor connected to first and second terminals of the circuit; and a control circuit for turning off the first thyristor when the voltage between the first and second terminals exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • Capacitive power supply with surge current limitation
    Patent number: 8988908
    Abstract: A capacitive power supply including: a first capacitive element and a first resistive element in series between a first terminal of a power switch and at least one rectifying element having a second terminal connected to a first electrode of at least one second capacitive element for providing a D.C. voltage; and a bidirectional switch in parallel on the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • Circuit for controlling a switch in series with a capacitive element
    Patent number: 8982594
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a switch in series with a capacitive element. A circuit may include a bidirectional switch and a diode in parallel with first and second conduction terminals of the switch. The switch may be configured to control a capacitive element adapted to be coupled to an A.C. voltage. The switch includes first and second conduction terminals configured to conduct a same current when the switch is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Antoine Passal, Laurent Gonthier
  • Capacitor Charge Circuit
    Publication number: 20140062422
    Abstract: A circuit can be used for charging a capacitor with an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a capacitor coupled to be charged with the AC voltage. An adjustment is configured to adjust a capacitor charge speed according to a value of the AC voltage. The adjustment circuit includes at least one bipolar transistor coupled to receive a voltage at a base of the bipolar transistor. The voltage is a function of the value of the AC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A LIGHTING UNIT WITH LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES
    Publication number: 20140021872
    Abstract: A circuit capable of receiving, in series with at least one light-emitting diode, a rectified A.C. voltage, comprising: a first gate turn-off thyristor connected to first and second terminals of the circuit; and a control circuit for turning off the first thyristor when the voltage between the first and second terminals exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • Circuit for controlling a lighting unit with light-emitting diodes
    Patent number: 8564209
    Abstract: A circuit capable of receiving, in series with at least one light-emitting diode, a rectified A.C. voltage, comprising: a first gate turn-off thyristor connected to first and second terminals of the circuit; and a control circuit for turning off the first thyristor when the voltage between the first and second terminals exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A SWITCH IN SERIES WITH A CAPACITIVE ELEMENT
    Publication number: 20120163053
    Abstract: A circuit including a switch controlling a capacitive element intended to receive an A.C. voltage, and a diode in parallel with the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Antoine Passal, Laurent Gonthier
  • POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT WITH LOW STAND-BY LOSSES
    Publication number: 20120163050
    Abstract: A circuit for converting an A.C. power supply voltage into a D.C. voltage, including: a first branch capable of providing a first power level; and a second parallel branch capable of providing a second power level greater than the first one, the second branch including a bidirectional activation switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
  • CAPACITIVE POWER SUPPLY WITH SURGE CURRENT LIMITATION
    Publication number: 20120155138
    Abstract: A capacitive power supply including: a first capacitive element and a first resistive element in series between a first terminal of a power switch and at least one rectifying element having a second terminal connected to a first electrode of at least one second capacitive element for providing a D.C. voltage; and a bidirectional switch in parallel on the resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent GONTHIER, Antoine PASSAL
  • CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A LIGHTING UNIT WITH LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES
    Publication number: 20100315006
    Abstract: A circuit capable of receiving, in series with at least one light-emitting diode, a rectified A.C. voltage, comprising: a first gate turn-off thyristor connected to first and second terminals of the circuit; and a control circuit for turning off the first thyristor when the voltage between the first and second terminals exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal