Patents by Inventor Franc DUGAL

Franc DUGAL 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).

  • Patent number: 11056408
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a Si chip providing a Si switch and a wide bandgap material chip providing a wide bandgap material switch, wherein the Si switch and the wide bandgap material switch are electrically connected in parallel. A method for controlling a power semiconductor device includes: during a normal operation mode, controlling at least the wide bandgap material switch for switching a current through the power semiconductor device by applying corresponding gate signals to at least the wide bandgap material switch; sensing a failure in the power semiconductor device; and, in the case of a sensed failure, controlling the Si switch by applying a gate signal, such that a current is generated in the Si chip heating the Si chip to a temperature forming a permanent conducting path through the Si chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Chunlei Liu, Franc Dugal, Munaf Rahimo, Peter Karl Steimer
  • Patent number: 10872830
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a base plate; a Si chip including a Si substrate, the Si chip attached to the base plate; a first metal preform pressed with a first press pin against the Si chip; a wide bandgap material chip comprising a wide bandgap substrate and a semiconductor switch provided in the wide bandgap substrate, the wide bandgap material chip attached to the base plate; and a second metal preform pressed with a second press pin against the wide bandgap material chip; the Si chip and the wide bandgap material chip are connected in parallel via the base plate and via the first press pin and the second press pin; the first metal preform is adapted for forming a conducting path through the Si chip, when heated by an overcurrent; and the second metal preform is adapted for forming an temporary conducting path through the wide bandgap material chip or an open circuit, when heated by an overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Chunlei Liu, Juergen Schuderer, Franziska Brem, Munaf Rahimo, Peter Karl Steimer, Franc Dugal
  • Patent number: 10573620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring element for a power semiconductor module, wherein the spring element includes a first part made from a first material and a second part made from a second material, the first material being different from the second material, wherein the first part comprises both a first contact portion having a first contact and a second contact portion having a second contact, wherein the first part comprises an electrically conductive path formed from the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein the second part is adapted for exerting a spring force (FS) onto the first contact portion and the second contact portion for pressing the first contact to a first contact area of a power semiconductor module and the second contact to a second contact area of a power semiconductor module. Such a spring element may form a press contact in a power semiconductor module and may be less bulky compared to solutions in the prior art and may be formed cost-sparingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Franc Dugal
  • Publication number: 20190355633
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a Si chip providing a Si switch and a wide bandgap material chip providing a wide bandgap material switch, wherein the Si switch and the wide bandgap material switch are electrically connected in parallel. A method for controlling a power semiconductor device includes: during a normal operation mode, controlling at least the wide bandgap material switch for switching a current through the power semiconductor device by applying corresponding gate signals to at least the wide bandgap material switch; sensing a failure in the power semiconductor device; and, in the case of a sensed failure, controlling the Si switch by applying a gate signal, such that a current is generated in the Si chip heating the Si chip to a temperature forming a permanent conducting path through the Si chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Chunlei Liu, Franc Dugal, Munaf Rahimo, Peter Karl Steimer
  • Publication number: 20190355634
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a base plate; a Si chip including a Si substrate, the Si chip attached to the base plate; a first metal preform pressed with a first press pin against the Si chip; a wide bandgap material chip comprising a wide bandgap substrate and a semiconductor switch provided in the wide bandgap substrate, the wide bandgap material chip attached to the base plate; and a second metal preform pressed with a second press pin against the wide bandgap material chip; the Si chip and the wide bandgap material chip are connected in parallel via the base plate and via the first press pin and the second press pin; the first metal preform is adapted for forming a conducting path through the Si chip, when heated by an overcurrent; and the second metal preform is adapted for forming an temporary conducting path through the wide bandgap material chip or an open circuit, when heated by an overcurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Chunlei Liu, Juergen Schuderer, Franziska Brem, Munaf Rahimo, Peter Karl Steimer, Franc Dugal
  • Patent number: 10483244
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes a first main electrode, a second main electrode and a control terminal. The power semiconductor module includes controllable power semiconductor components arranged between the first main electrode and the second main electrode. At least some of the controllable power semiconductor components are arranged in a ring arrangement, wherein the controllable power semiconductor components of the ring arrangement are arranged at least approximately along a first circular line of the ring arrangement, and a control conductor track of the ring arrangement is arranged on the first main electrode, wherein the control conductor track runs at least approximately along a second circular line of the ring arrangement, and the second circular line runs concentrically relative to the first circular line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Samuel Hartmann, Franc Dugal, Olle Ekwall, Erik Doré
  • Patent number: 9984953
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a stack with a semiconductor module and a cooler, wherein the semiconductor module is provided in contact with the cooler. A clamping assembly is adapted to exert a force on the two sides of the stack. The stack is provided with a through hole between the two sides thereof and a part of the clamping assembly including an electrically conductive part which extends through the through hole of the stack. Thereby, a compact mechanical arrangement is provided while obtaining improved electrical properties, such as lower inductance and more even current distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Olle Ekwall, Erik Doré, Franc Dugal, Raffael Schnell
  • Publication number: 20180122768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring element for a power semiconductor module, wherein the spring element includes a first part made from a first material and a second part made from a second material, the first material being different from the second material, wherein the first part comprises both a first contact portion having a first contact and a second contact portion having a second contact, wherein the first part comprises an electrically conductive path formed from the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein the second part is adapted for exerting a spring force (FS) onto the first contact portion and the second contact portion for pressing the first contact to a first contact area of a power semiconductor module and the second contact to a second contact area of a power semiconductor module. Such a spring element may form a press contact in a power semiconductor module and may be less bulky compared to solutions in the prior art and may be formed cost-sparingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventor: Franc Dugal
  • Publication number: 20160329264
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly includes a stack with a semiconductor module and a cooler, wherein the semiconductor module is provided in contact with the cooler. A clamping assembly is adapted to exert a force on the two sides of the stack. The stack is provided with a through hole between the two sides thereof and a part of the clamping assembly including an electrically conductive part which extends through the through hole of the stack. Thereby, a compact mechanical arrangement is provided while obtaining improved electrical properties, such as lower inductance and more even current distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Olle EKWALL, Erik DORÉ, Franc DUGAL, Raffael SCHNELL
  • Publication number: 20160027762
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module includes a first main electrode, a second main electrode and a control terminal. The power semiconductor module includes controllable power semiconductor components arranged between the first main electrode and the second main electrode. At least some of the controllable power semiconductor components are arranged in a ring arrangement, wherein the controllable power semiconductor components of the ring arrangement are arranged at least approximately along a first circular line of the ring arrangement, and a control conductor track of the ring arrangement is arranged on the first main electrode, wherein the control conductor track runs at least approximately along a second circular line of the ring arrangement, and the second circular line runs concentrically relative to the first circular line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Samuel Hartmann, Franc Dugal, Olle Ekwall, Erik Doré
  • Patent number: 9035447
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module and a power semiconductor module assembly, which includes a plurality of power semiconductor modules, are disclosed. The power semiconductor module includes an electrically conducting base plate, an electrically conducting top plate, arranged in parallel to the base plate and spaced apart from the base plate, at least one power semiconductor device, which is arranged on the base plate in a space formed between the base plate and the top plate, and at least one presspin, which is arranged in the space formed between the base plate and the top plate to provide contact between the semiconductor device and the top plate. A metallic protection plate can be provided at an inner face of the top plate facing towards the base plate, wherein the material of the protection plate has a melting temperature higher than the melting temperature of the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Franc Dugal, Dominik Trüssel
  • Publication number: 20140225245
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module and a power semiconductor module assembly, which includes a plurality of power semiconductor modules, are disclosed. The power semiconductor module includes an electrically conducting base plate, an electrically conducting top plate, arranged in parallel to the base plate and spaced apart from the base plate, at least one power semiconductor device, which is arranged on the base plate in a space formed between the base plate and the top plate, and at least one presspin, which is arranged in the space formed between the base plate and the top plate to provide contact between the semiconductor device and the top plate. A metallic protection plate can be provided at an inner face of the top plate facing towards the base plate, wherein the material of the protection plate has a melting temperature higher than the melting temperature of the top plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Franc DUGAL, Dominik Trüssel
  • Publication number: 20130043579
    Abstract: A power semiconductor arrangement includes a base plate having a molybdenum layer, and a power semiconductor device mounted to a top side of the base plate and electrically and thermally coupled thereto. The base plate includes a metallic mounting base, which is arranged between the semiconductor device and the molybdenum layer and prevents the molybdenum layer from forming highly resistive intermetallic phases with the semiconductor device. A semiconductor module, such as a power semiconductor module, includes multiple semiconductor arrangements, whereby the base plate of the semiconductor arrangements is a common base plate. A module assembly, such as a power semiconductor module assembly, includes multiple semiconductor modules, whereby the semiconductor modules are arranged side by side to each other with electric connections between adjacent semiconductor modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Franc DUGAL
  • Publication number: 20130043578
    Abstract: A first presspin includes a foot, whereby a base of the foot is provided for contacting a contact element of a power semiconductor device, such as within a power semiconductor module including a base plate and at least one power semiconductor device, which is arranged on the base plate and contacted by at least one further presspin. An insulation means is provided for electrically an outer surface of the foot. A power semiconductor module is also provided including a base plate, at least one power semiconductor device arranged on the base plate, and at least one of the aforementioned first presspin provided with the aforementioned insulation means. A power semiconductor module assembly is also provided including multiple power semiconductor modules as specified above, whereby the power semiconductor modules are arranged side by side to each other with electric connections between adjacent power semiconductor modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Franc DUGAL
  • Publication number: 20120074210
    Abstract: A soldering preform for soldering in a reducing atmosphere is substantially disc-shaped and has two soldering surfaces each for being in contact with an object to be soldered, respectively, and with at least one recess on at least one soldering surfaces for constituting a channel open to a surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Franc DUGAL