Patents by Inventor Laurent Gonthier
Laurent Gonthier 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).
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Publication number: 20180152116Abstract: 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 pType: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Ghafour BENABDELAZIZ, Laurent GONTHIER
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Patent number: 9979298Abstract: A rectifier bridge circuit includes a first SCR/IGBT switch and a second SCR/IGBT switch coupled to a circuit input to receive an ac input voltage. The first and second SCR/IGBT switches are alternatively switchable to generate a rectified voltage at a circuit output. Control currents coupled to control terminals of the first and second SCR/IGBT switches are power supply sourced from an auxiliary dc source generated by rectifying the ac input voltage. The control currents are generated by current sources coupled between the auxiliary dc source and the control terminals of the first and second SCR/IGBT switches. The current sources are selectively activatable to produce gating currents for switching on and off the first and second SCR/IGBT switches. A controller unit is provided to control the current sources via level shifter circuits. The control implements progressive conduction time of the first and second SCR/IGBT switches so as to provide inrush current limitation.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 9912249Abstract: 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 pType: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SASInventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20170324350Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes: a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for supplying a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge includes input terminals respectively coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and output terminals respectively coupled to the third terminal and fourth terminal. A first branch of the rectifying bridge includes, connected between the output terminals, two series-connected thyristors with a junction point of the two thyristors being connected to a first one of the input terminals. A second branch of the rectifying bridge is formed by series connected diodes. A control circuit is configured to generate control signals for application to the control gates of the thyristors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina, Romain Pichon
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Patent number: 9774243Abstract: An AC/DC converter receives an AC voltage at a first terminal and a second terminal. A rectifying bridge has a first input terminal coupled via a resistive element to the first terminal and a second input terminal connected to the second terminal, with output terminals of the rectifying bridge coupled to third and fourth terminals of the converter for generating a DC voltage. A first controllable rectifying thyristor couples the first terminal to the third terminal and a second controllable rectifying thyristor couples the fourth terminal to the first terminal. The resistive element functions as an inrush protection device during a first phase when the thyristors are turned off. In a second phase, the thyristors are selectively actuated.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina
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Patent number: 9755541Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes: a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for supplying a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge includes input terminals respectively coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and output terminals respectively coupled to the third terminal and fourth terminal. A first branch of the rectifying bridge includes, connected between the output terminals, two series-connected thyristors with a junction point of the two thyristors being connected to a first one of the input terminals. A second branch of the rectifying bridge is formed by series connected diodes. A control circuit is configured to generate control signals for application to the control gates of the thyristors.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina, Romain Pichon
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Publication number: 20170170746Abstract: 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 pType: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 9667130Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for delivering a DC voltage. A capacitive circuit is connected between the third and fourth terminals. A rectifying bridge circuit has input terminals respectively coupled to the first and second terminals and has output terminal respectively connected to the third and fourth terminals. An inductive element is coupled in series with a first switch circuit between the first terminal and an input terminal of the rectifying bridge circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina, Jurgis Astrauskas
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Publication number: 20170110970Abstract: A rectifier bridge circuit includes a first SCR/IGBT switch and a second SCR/IGBT switch coupled to a circuit input to receive an ac input voltage. The first and second SCR/IGBT switches are alternatively switchable to generate a rectified voltage at a circuit output. Control currents coupled to control terminals of the first and second SCR/IGBT switches are power supply sourced from an auxiliary dc source generated by rectifying the ac input voltage. The control currents are generated by current sources coupled between the auxiliary dc source and the control terminals of the first and second SCR/IGBT switches. The current sources are selectively activatable to produce gating currents for switching on and off the first and second SCR/IGBT switches. A controller unit is provided to control the current sources via level shifter circuits. The control implements progressive conduction time of the first and second SCR/IGBT switches so as to provide inrush current limitation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi, Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20160373021Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for delivering a DC voltage. Two transistor switches are series-connected between the third and fourth terminals, with their junction point connected to the first terminal. Two controllable rectifying elements are series-connected between the third and fourth terminals, with their junction point connected to the first terminal or to the second terminal. The two controllable rectifying elements are phase-angle controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventor: Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 9525361Abstract: A rectifying circuit includes a first diode coupled between a first terminal configured to receive application of an A.C. voltage and a first terminal configured to deliver a rectified voltage; and an anode-gate thyristor coupled between a second terminal configured to receive application of the A.C. voltage and a second terminal configured to deliver the rectified voltage, wherein an anode of the anode-gate thyristor is connected to the second terminal configured to deliver the rectified voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SASInventor: Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20160301325Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal to receive an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal to deliver a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge is provided in the converter. A controllable switching or rectifying element has a control terminal configured to receive a control current. A first switch is coupled between a supply voltage and the control terminal to inject the control current. A second switch is coupled between the control terminal and a reference voltage to extract the control current. The first and second switches are selectively actuated by a control circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Roberto Larosa, Giulio Zoppi
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Publication number: 20160301326Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes: a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for supplying a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge includes input terminals respectively coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and output terminals respectively coupled to the third terminal and fourth terminal. A first branch of the rectifying bridge includes, connected between the output terminals, two series-connected thyristors with a junction point of the two thyristors being connected to a first one of the input terminals. A second branch of the rectifying bridge is formed by series connected diodes. A control circuit is configured to generate control signals for application to the control gates of the thyristors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina, Romain Pichon
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Publication number: 20160301298Abstract: An AC/DC converter receives an AC voltage at a first terminal and a second terminal. A rectifying bridge has a first input terminal coupled via a resistive element to the first terminal and a second input terminal connected to the second terminal, with output terminals of the rectifying bridge coupled to third and fourth terminals of the converter for generating a DC voltage. A first controllable rectifying thyristor couples the first terminal to the third terminal and a second controllable rectifying thyristor couples the fourth terminal to the first terminal. The resistive element functions as an inrush protection device during a first phase when the thyristors are turned off. In a second phase, the thyristors are selectively actuated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina
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Publication number: 20160226370Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal for receiving an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for delivering a DC voltage. A capacitive circuit is connected between the third and fourth terminals. A rectifying bridge circuit has input terminals respectively coupled to the first and second terminals and has output terminal respectively connected to the third and fourth terminals. An inductive element is coupled in series with a first switch circuit between the first terminal and an input terminal of the rectifying bridge circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Muriel Nina, Jurgis Astrauskas
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Patent number: 9362842Abstract: A control circuit varies the power of a load powered by an alternating voltage, comprising: a first thyristor and a first diode connected in antiparallel between first and second nodes, the cathode of the first diode being on the side of the first node; a second thyristor and a second diode connected in antiparallel between the second node and a third node, the cathode of the second diode being on the side of the third node; third and fourth diodes connected in antiseries between the first and third nodes, the cathodes of the third and fourth diodes being connected to a fourth node; a transistor between the second and fourth nodes; and a control unit for controlling the first and second thyristors and the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Benoit Renard, Laurent Gonthier
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Publication number: 20160111969Abstract: A rectifying circuit includes a first diode coupled between a first terminal configured to receive application of an A.C. voltage and a first terminal configured to deliver a rectified voltage; and an anode-gate thyristor coupled between a second terminal configured to receive application of the A.C. voltage and a second terminal configured to deliver the rectified voltage, wherein an anode of the anode-gate thyristor is connected to the second terminal configured to deliver the rectified voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SASInventor: Laurent Gonthier
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Patent number: 9263966Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
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Patent number: 9172264Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Laurent Gonthier, Antoine Passal
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Patent number: 9019675Abstract: A method comprising: a) during at least part of a conduction phase of the triac, measuring the gate potential of the triac; and b) comparing a value based on said measurement with a reference threshold and deducing the presence or the absence of an overcurrent based on said comparison.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SASInventors: Jan Dreser, Laurent Gonthier