Patents by Inventor Ghafour Benabdelaziz

Ghafour Benabdelaziz 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: 11936288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTD
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
  • Publication number: 20230104920
    Abstract: The present description concerns a device comprising at least one chip in a package, the package comprising a support, having the at least one chip resting thereon, and a protection layer covering the at least one chip, the support comprising a stack of layers made of an insulating material, a transformer being formed in the support by first and second conductive tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS
    Inventors: Laurent MOINDRON, Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ
  • Publication number: 20220103062
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTD
    Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Laurent GONTHIER
  • Patent number: 11271561
    Abstract: A thyristor or triac control circuit includes a first capacitive element that is series-connected with a first diode between a first terminal and a second terminal intended to be coupled to a gate of the thyristor or triac. A second capacitive element is coupled between the second terminal and a third terminal intended to be connected to a conduction terminal of the thyristor or triac on the gate side of the thyristor or triac. A second diode is coupled between the third terminal and a node of connection of the first capacitive element and first diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Cedric Reymond
  • Patent number: 11228239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTD
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
  • Publication number: 20210336533
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics LTD
    Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Laurent GONTHIER
  • Publication number: 20200280310
    Abstract: A thyristor or triac control circuit includes a first capacitive element that is series-connected with a first diode between a first terminal and a second terminal intended to be coupled to a gate of the thyristor or triac. A second capacitive element is coupled between the second terminal and a third terminal intended to be connected to a conduction terminal of the thyristor or triac on the gate side of the thyristor or triac. A second diode is coupled between the third terminal and a node of connection of the first capacitive element and first diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Cedric Reymond
  • Patent number: 10693455
    Abstract: A thyristor or triac control circuit includes a first capacitive element that is series-connected with a first diode between a first terminal and a second terminal intended to be coupled to a gate of the thyristor or triac. A second capacitive element is coupled between the second terminal and a third terminal intended to be connected to a conduction terminal of the thyristor or triac on the gate side of the thyristor or triac. A second diode is coupled between the third terminal and a node of connection of the first capacitive element and first diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Cedric Reymond
  • Patent number: 10659041
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling an anode-gate thyristor includes a first transistor that couples a thyristor gate to a first terminal to receive a potential lower than a potential of a second terminal connected to the thyristor anode. A control terminal of the first transistor is driven by a control signal which is positive with respect to the potential of the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Romain Pichon
  • Patent number: 10483874
    Abstract: A reversible converter includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor coupled in series between a first terminal and a second terminal for a DC voltage. A first thyristor and a second thyristor are coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage. A third thyristor and a fourth thyristor are also coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage terminals, but have an opposite connection polarity with respect to the first and second thyristors. A midpoint of connection between the first and second field effect transistors and a common midpoint of connection between the first and second thyristors and the third and fourth thyristors are coupled to AC voltage terminals. Actuation of the transistors and thyristors is controlled in distinct manners to operate the converter in an AC-DC conversion mode and a DC-AC conversion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Cedric Reymond, David Jouve
  • Publication number: 20190214985
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling an anode-gate thyristor includes a first transistor that couples a thyristor gate to a first terminal to receive a potential lower than a potential of a second terminal connected to the thyristor anode. A control terminal of the first transistor is driven by a control signal which is positive with respect to the potential of the first terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Romain PICHON
  • Patent number: 10298143
    Abstract: 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 p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
  • Publication number: 20190115915
    Abstract: A thyristor or triac control circuit includes a first capacitive element that is series-connected with a first diode between a first terminal and a second terminal intended to be coupled to a gate of the thyristor or triac. A second capacitive element is coupled between the second terminal and a third terminal intended to be connected to a conduction terminal of the thyristor or triac on the gate side of the thyristor or triac. A second diode is coupled between the third terminal and a node of connection of the first capacitive element and first diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Cedric Reymond
  • Publication number: 20190006960
    Abstract: A reversible converter includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor that are coupled in series between a first terminal and a second terminal for a DC voltage. A first triac and a second triac are also coupled in series between the first and second terminals of the DC voltage. Midpoints of the series coupled devices are coupled, through an inductive element, to first and second terminals for an AC voltage. Actuation of the transistors and triacs is controlled in distinct manners to operate the converter in an AC-DC conversion mode and a DC-AC conversion mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Cedric REYMOND, David JOUVE
  • Publication number: 20190006959
    Abstract: A reversible converter includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor coupled in series between a first terminal and a second terminal for a DC voltage. A first thyristor and a second thyristor are coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage. A third thyristor and a fourth thyristor are also coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage terminals, but have an opposite connection polarity with respect to the first and second thyristors. A midpoint of connection between the first and second field effect transistors and a common midpoint of connection between the first and second thyristors and the third and fourth thyristors are coupled to AC voltage terminals. Actuation of the transistors and thyristors is controlled in distinct manners to operate the converter in an AC-DC conversion mode and a DC-AC conversion mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Cedric REYMOND, David JOUVE
  • Publication number: 20180152116
    Abstract: 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 p
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Laurent GONTHIER
  • Patent number: 9912249
    Abstract: 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 p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
  • Publication number: 20170170746
    Abstract: 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 p
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
  • Patent number: 8461845
    Abstract: A method for detecting the state of at least one element of a circuit comprising one or several loads, powered by an A.C. voltage and in series with at least one first switch. The state of the element is obtained by analyzing, at several times in a period of the A.C. voltage, the amplitude of a current sampled from the junction point of the load and of the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Pascal Paillet
  • Publication number: 20090261806
    Abstract: A method for detecting the state of at least one element of a circuit comprising one or several loads, powered by an A.C. voltage and in series with at least one first switch. The state of the element is obtained by analyzing, at several times in a period of the A.C. voltage, the amplitude of a current sampled from the junction point of the load and of the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Pascal Paillet