Patents by Inventor Gary T. Pepka

Gary T. Pepka 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: 11680996
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic sensor having a die and sensor circuitry formed in a device layer of the die with a coil integrated with the die to generate a magnetic field. A magnetoresistive magnetic field sensing element on the die detects changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil as a result of the presence of a ferromagnetic target. The sensor circuitry may process the changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10598514
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the speed and one of the direction or a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, P. Karl Scheller
  • Patent number: 10480957
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and one of the speed or a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Patent number: 10436606
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect an angular speed and an angular direction of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Publication number: 20190025081
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect an angular speed and an angular direction of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and the speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Publication number: 20190025082
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and one of the speed or a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Publication number: 20190025083
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the speed and one of the direction or a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, P. Karl Scheller
  • Publication number: 20180011150
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic sensor having a die and sensor circuitry formed in a device layer of the die with a coil integrated with the die to generate a magnetic field. A magnetoresistive magnetic field sensing element on the die detects changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil as a result of the presence of a ferromagnetic target. The sensor circuitry may process the changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9817078
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor including a die, a coil proximate the die to generate a magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensing element having to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil in response to a ferromagnetic target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9411023
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element and at least one planar Hall element. The CVH sensing element has contacts arranged over a common implant region in a substrate. In some embodiments, the at least one planar Hall element is formed as a circular planar Hall (CPH) sensing element also having contacts disposed over the common implant region. A CPH sensing element and a method of fabricating the CPH sensing element are separately described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Andrea Foletto, Gary T. Pepka
  • Publication number: 20150077100
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element and at least one planar Hall element. The CVH sensing element has contacts arranged over a common implant region in a substrate. In some embodiments, the at least one planar Hall element is formed as a circular planar Hall (CPH) sensing element also having contacts disposed over the common implant region. A CPH sensing element and a method of fabricating the CPH sensing element are separately described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Andrea Foletto, Gary T. Pepka
  • Patent number: 8957676
    Abstract: An integrated magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field sensing element output signal in response to a magnetic field. The integrated magnetic field sensor also includes a threshold control node configured to receive a control signal from outside of the integrated magnetic field sensor, wherein the integrated magnetic field sensor is configured to provide an adjustable threshold signal in response to the control signal. The integrated magnetic field sensor also includes a comparator having a first input node coupled to receive a first signal representative of the magnetic field sensing element output signal, a second input node coupled to receive a second signal representative of the adjustable threshold signal, and an output node at which is generated an output signal responsive to the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Paul David, Andreas P. Friedrich, Gary T. Pepka, Nevenka Kozomora
  • Patent number: 8922206
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element and at least one planar Hall element. The CVH sensing element has contacts arranged over a common implant region in a substrate. In some embodiments, the at least one planar Hall element is formed as a circular planar Hall (CPH) sensing element also having contacts disposed over the common implant region. A CPH sensing element and a method of fabricating the CPH sensing element are separately described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Andrea Foletto, Gary T. Pepka
  • Publication number: 20130300406
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a magnetic field sensor including a die, a coil proximate the die to generate a magnetic field, and a magnetic field sensing element having to detect changes in the magnetic field generated by the coil in response to a ferromagnetic target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Gary T. Pepka, William P. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130057257
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a circular vertical Hall (CVH) sensing element and at least one planar Hall element. The CVH sensing element has contacts arranged over a common implant region in a substrate. In some embodiments, the at least one planar Hall element is formed as a circular planar Hall (CPH) sensing element also having contacts disposed over the common implant region. A CPH sensing element and a method of fabricating the CPH sensing element are separately described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Andrea Foletto, Gary T. Pepka
  • Publication number: 20120280681
    Abstract: An integrated magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field sensing element output signal in response to a magnetic field. The integrated magnetic field sensor also includes a threshold control node configured to receive a control signal from outside of the integrated magnetic field sensor, wherein the integrated magnetic field sensor is configured to provide an adjustable threshold signal in response to the control signal. The integrated magnetic field sensor also includes a comparator having a first input node coupled to receive a first signal representative of the magnetic field sensing element output signal, a second input node coupled to receive a second signal representative of the adjustable threshold signal, and an output node at which is generated an output signal responsive to the first and second signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul David, Andreas P. Friedrich, Gary T. Pepka, Nevenka Kozomora
  • Patent number: 8222888
    Abstract: A sensor having a power management mechanism controlled by an external trigger signal is presented. The sensor includes a magnetic field signal generating circuit and a control circuit coupled to the magnetic field signal generating circuit. The control circuit, responsive to an externally generated trigger signal, initiates a supply current pulse that activates the magnetic field signal generating circuit for a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David, Nevenka Kozomora, Gary T. Pepka
  • Publication number: 20100079138
    Abstract: A sensor having a power management mechanism controlled by an external trigger signal is presented. The sensor includes a magnetic field signal generating circuit and a control circuit coupled to the magnetic field signal generating circuit. The control circuit, responsive to an externally generated trigger signal, initiates a supply current pulse that activates the magnetic field signal generating circuit for a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Paul David, Nevenka Kozomora, Gary T. Pepka