Patents by Inventor Claude Froidevaux

Claude Froidevaux 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).

  • Publication number: 20230095714
    Abstract: Disclosed is a compound with the following formula (I): as well as the use thereof, in particular as a chelating agent of positively charged ions, or as a fluidizing agent for hydraulic compositions. Also disclosed is a hydraulic composition comprising a compound with formula (I), at least one hydraulic binder, at least one aggregate, and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Antoine COLAS, Vincent Etienne Claude FROIDEVAUX, Frédéric LEISING
  • Patent number: 8860354
    Abstract: The control circuit of an electric motor, which has at least one phase supplied with high voltage and has a defined high-voltage zone, is provided with a control for the supply current of the phase with a setpoint-value current, and has devices for measuring the supply current which generate a first analog signal whose value corresponds to the measured current, an electronic control unit being disposed in a low-voltage zone, and having an analog-to-digital converter for converting the first analog signal or another analog signal acting as the first analog signal, into a corresponding digital signal which is supplied to the electronic control unit. The measuring devices are formed by a bleeder resistor, which is disposed in series with the phase, as well as by a differential amplifier whose two inputs, respectively, are connected to two contacts of the bleeder resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Etel S.A.
    Inventors: Didier Blanc, Ralph Coleman, Jean-Marc Vaucher, Claude Froidevaux
  • Patent number: 8581536
    Abstract: In a method for controlling three single-phase motors and moving a platform in a direction of the normal, the motors are controlled by one three-phase converter, so that a first motor is operated between a first phase and a second phase of the converter, and a series connection or parallel connection of a second and third motor is operated between a second phase and a third phase of the converter. A platform is adapted to perform this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ETEL S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Mathia, Claude Froidevaux, Jacques-André Sudan
  • Patent number: 8508310
    Abstract: A PWM signal for driving power transistors of a half-bridge of a converter is generated with the aid of a digital circuit, in which an internal reference value is compared to the counter content of a counting ramp. In this context, a logic state of the PWM signal depends upon whether the internal reference value is greater than the counter content of the counting ramp. After each comparison between the internal reference value and the counter content, an n-bit long data word dependent on the result of this comparison is output serially as PWM signal, n being greater than or equal to 2. The resolution of the PWM signal is thereby improved by the factor n in comparison to conventional systems, without markedly increasing the circuit expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Etel S.A.
    Inventor: Claude Froidevaux
  • Publication number: 20130181652
    Abstract: The control circuit of an electric motor, which has at least one phase supplied with high voltage and has a defined high-voltage zone, is provided with a control for the supply current of the phase with a setpoint-value current, and has devices for measuring the supply current which generate a first analog signal whose value corresponds to the measured current, an electronic control unit being disposed in a low-voltage zone, and having an analog-to-digital converter for converting the first analog signal or another analog signal acting as the first analog signal, into a corresponding digital signal which is supplied to the electronic control unit. The measuring devices are formed by a bleeder resistor, which is disposed in series with the phase, as well as by a differential amplifier whose two inputs, respectively, are connected to two contacts of the bleeder resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Didier Blanc, Ralph Coleman, Jean-Marc Vaucher, Claude Froidevaux
  • Patent number: 8446221
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a linear amplifier unit having a first current feedback loop, assisted by a switched-mode amplification unit having a second current feedback loop. The inputs of the two units are connected so that they receive, at the same time, a current setpoint in an operating mode in order to generate a fixed current across a load connected to the output of the units. The first feedback loop includes a first sensor to measure the current in the load, a first subtractor element to subtract the first measured current from the current setpoint, a first controller connected to the output of the first subtractor element and controlling a linear amplifier, which supplies the first output current to the load. The second feedback loop includes a second current sensor to measure a second current supplied to the load, between a connecting node of two switches connected in series to a supply voltage source and an inductor whose output is connected to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ETEL S.A.
    Inventors: Claude Froidevaux, Jean-Marc Vaucher
  • Publication number: 20110304294
    Abstract: In a method for controlling three single-phase motors and moving a platform in a direction of the normal, the motors are controlled by one three-phase converter, so that a first motor is operated between a first phase and a second phase of the converter, and a series connection or parallel connection of a second and third motor is operated between a second phase and a third phase of the converter. A platform is adapted to perform this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Michel Mathia, Claude Froidevaux, Jacques-André Sudan
  • Publication number: 20110279183
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a linear amplifier unit having a first current feedback loop, assisted by a switched-mode amplification unit having a second current feedback loop. The inputs of the two units are connected so that they receive, at the same time, a current setpoint in an operating mode in order to generate a fixed current across a load connected to the output of the units. The first feedback loop includes a first sensor to measure the current in the load, a first subtractor element to subtract the first measured current from the current setpoint, a first controller connected to the output of the first subtractor element and controlling a linear amplifier, which supplies the first output current to the load. The second feedback loop includes a second current sensor to measure a second current supplied to the load, between a connecting node of two switches connected in series to a supply voltage source and an inductor whose output is connected to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Claude Froidevaux, Jean-Marc Vaucher
  • Publication number: 20110102041
    Abstract: A PWM signal for driving power transistors of a half-bridge of a converter is generated with the aid of a digital circuit, in which an internal reference value is compared to the counter content of a counting ramp. In this context, a logic state of the PWM signal depends upon whether the internal reference value is greater than the counter content of the counting ramp. After each comparison between the internal reference value and the counter content, an n-bit long data word dependent on the result of this comparison is output serially as PWM signal, n being greater than or equal to 2. The resolution of the PWM signal is thereby improved by the factor n in comparison to conventional systems, without markedly increasing the circuit expenditure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Claude Froidevaux
  • Publication number: 20050011027
    Abstract: System for actuating a contactor of electronic component for the electric testing of said components, whose movement is generated by an electromechanical transducer and controlled by a control system limiting the pressing force of the contactor on the component to be tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: Ismeca Semiconductor Holding SA
    Inventors: Laurent Heiniger, Claude Froidevaux, Joel Perret, Pascal Hostettler
  • Patent number: 5850114
    Abstract: A device for improving the quality of audio and/or video signals comprises a main electrical circuit comprising an integrated circuit arranged for producing an output pulse signal having a predetermined frequency, and a toroidal inductor having a magnetic core which has a central opening and which is surrounded by a conducting wire, said toroidal inductor being arranged to be powered by said output signal.The device is arranged between a power supply unit and a signal processing unit which is connected by at least a phase- and a neutral conductor to said power supply unit such that said conductors pass through said central opening of said magnetic core, said toroidal inductor creating an alternating magnetic field within its core when it is powered by said output signal, so that said magnetic field induces an electric field which acts on said conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Froidevaux