Patents by Inventor Luis De Sousa

Luis De Sousa 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: 20140292243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power module (9) for converting an electric current flowing between an accumulator and an alternating-current motor, said module (9) comprising switching means (10) that can be controlled to authorise the powering of the motor and/or the charging of the accumulator, and an intrinsic control unit (13) connected to said switching means (10) and capable of delivering opening and/or closing signals to said switching means (10), said intrinsic control unit (13) being further capable of exchanging data with a remote control unit, with a potential barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa, Bénédicte Silvestre
  • Patent number: 8823296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined method and device for powering and charging, wherein said device comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter (2). The switching means (4) is integrated in the converter (2) and includes at least one H-shaped bridge structure (3) for each phase of the motor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis De Sousa, Boris Bouchez
  • Patent number: 8680825
    Abstract: A DC-DC voltage converter operating in zero-voltage switching mode with a switching threshold includes a plurality of interlaced cells, each cell having at least two controlled switches that are configured to be alternately closed and open, and each cell having an inductor in which an output current from the cell flows. The converter also includes a clock with a given switching period configured for triggering the switching of the switches between upper and lower control thresholds. A method for closed-loop control of the converter includes measuring, for each cell, an overrun period, determining a correction time corresponding to a minimum overrun period measured for the plurality of cells during an interlacing cycle, calculating an optimized switching period for the clock, and applying the optimized switching period to the clock to provide closed-loop control of the interlacing of the output currents from the plurality of cells of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Valco Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Pierre Sardat, Luis De Sousa, Stephane Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20140042807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of managing a charge transfer between, on the one hand means of accumulation (9) of an electrical control device (1) of an electric motor of a motor vehicle (43) and, on the other hand, an external electrical circuit (41) outside said motor vehicle (43), said electrical control device (1) comprising: a voltage converter (21) connected to the accumulation means (9); an H-bridge voltage inverter (3) connected to the voltage converter (21) on the one hand and to the phases of the electric motor on the other hand, characterized in that the method comprises a step of controlling the voltage converter (21) and the voltage inverter (3) as a function of the charge transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Patent number: 8629636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternating-current electric motor of a combined electric device for powering and charging, the said electric motor being formed by a stator connected to an electricity network of which the number of phases is lower than the number of phases of the said motor, the said charging current of the said network being injected via a connection point dividing each phase of the said stator connected to a phase of the said network into two half-windings, the said motor being characterized in that each half-winding of a phase comprises a plurality of coils wired together so as to reduce the magnetic linkage of each half-winding at the said connection point so that there exists an apparent non-zero inductance at the said connection point in charging mode of the said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis de Sousa
  • Patent number: 8618758
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric device (1) comprising an alternating current electric motor (3) and a control inverter (5) for controlling the phase or phases of the motor (3). The motor (3) comprises, on at least one winding of at least one phase (PA, PB, PC), a point (Ma, Mb, Mc) for measuring a voltage relative to a predefined potential (M), the measurement point (Ma, Mb, Mc) being chosen so that it divides the winding into a first (Za1; Zb1; Zc1) and a second (Za2; Zb2; Zc2) portion such that the electromotive forces (ea1, ea2) induced in the two portions are phase-shifted relative to one another and means (11A; 11B; 11C) for measuring the voltage between the measurement point and the predefined potential. The invention also relates to an associated method for measuring electromotive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis de Sousa
  • Publication number: 20130342135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined method and device for powering and charging, wherein said device comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter (2). The switching means (4) is integrated in the converter (2) and includes at least one H-shaped bridge structure (3) for each phase of the motor (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis De Sousa, Boris Bouchez
  • Patent number: 8614562
    Abstract: A method for charging accumulation means configured by an electric charging device is disclosed. The charging device includes switching arms respectively including a first switch and a second switch. The method involves ordering a predetermined number of first switches to close respectively for an associated closure time, and on each opening of a first switch that was previously closed, another first switch is ordered to close for an associated closure time, so that a constant number of first switches are closed at a same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Patent number: 8610383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined method and device for powering and charging, wherein said device comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter (2). The switching means (4) is integrated in the converter (2) and includes at least one H-shaped bridge structure (3) for each phase of the motor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Valco Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis De Sousa, Boris Bouchez
  • Patent number: 8593085
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical device for charging accumulator means (5), said electrical device comprising: a motor (6) connected to an external mains (11); an inverter (2) connected to the phases of said motor (6); and switching means (4) integrated into the inverter (2), said switching means (4) being configured to permit said motor (6) to be supplied and to permit the accumulator means (5) to be charged by the inverter (2). According to the invention, said electrical device further includes, for each phase of said motor (6), an RLC low-pass filter (18) connected, on the one hand, to the mid-point (16) of the phase of said motor (6) and, on the other hand, to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Patent number: 8581573
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for measuring an effective current (ieff(t)) of a signal to be monitored (i(t)), where the circuit includes means for making a continuous reference signal (iDC(t)) depend on the signal to be monitored (i(t)) so that the effective current (iDCeff(t)) of the continuous reference signal (iDC(t)) is equal to the effective current (ieff(t)) of the signal to be monitored (i(t)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis De Sousa, Dominique Dupuis
  • Patent number: 8482229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging accumulation means via an external electrical network via at least a first (A) and a second (B) switching arm respectively comprising two switches (12), said method comprising a step for controlling the switches (12) of the switching arms (A, B) by transmission of pulse width modulation control signals, characterized in that the switches (12) of the second switching arm (B) are controlled by adapting the pulse width of the control signals so as to generate an alternating voltage (Vx) in phase opposition relative to the voltage at the terminals of a compensation inductance (7?) connected on the one hand to the second arm (B) and on the other hand to the neutral (N) of said network, so that the voltage (VN) between the neutral (N) of said network and ground is a direct voltage. The invention also relates to a charging device for implementing such a charging method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Patent number: 8482230
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric device for driving mechanical equipment comprising an alternating current motor and an inverter, the said inverter comprising, for each phase of the said motor, an H bridge structure comprising four switching elements distributed over two branches connecting two terminals of the said H bridge structure and intended to supply the winding of the said at least one phase of the motor, the said winding being a winding with a mid point and the said electric device being characterized in that it also comprises, for each phase of the said motor, an energy storage unit, in particular a supercondenser, connected, on the one hand, to the mid point of the winding of the concerned phase of the motor and, on the other hand, to a terminal of the H bridge structure supplying the said winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis de Sousa
  • Publication number: 20130134777
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for supplying electrical propulsion power on board a motor vehicle is disclosed. The electrical power is obtained from power delivered to the electrical circuit by a battery of the vehicle and converted by at least two cells. The circuit includes inductive elements connected to transistors for managing the current flowing in the inductive elements, and the inductive elements are coupled to form a magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit is alternatively controlled according to a common mode in which an apparent inductance of the said magnetic circuit is of the order of magnitude of the sum of the inductances specific to each inductive element, or according to a differential mode in which the apparent inductance of the said magnetic circuit is of the order of magnitude of the leakage inductance of the coupling between the said coupled inductive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Luis de Sousa, Mame Fall, Stephane Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20120217948
    Abstract: A method for distributing the total power of an energy conversion device between at least two converters in the energy conversion device is disclosed. The sum of the conversion powers of the converters is the total power of the conversion device. The energy conversion device converts energy between a first electrical entity and a second electrical entity, where the two converters correspond to at least two portions of a ring, the portions being proportional to a predetermined power value of the respective converters thereof, the combination of the at least two portions forming the whole ring. The total power of the conversion device corresponds to an arc of the ring between the positions of a first slider and a second slider moveable around the ring, and the distribution of power between the converters is determined by the positions of the first and second sliders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Publication number: 20120049770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical device for charging accumulator means (5), said electrical device comprising: a motor (6) connected to an external mains (11); an inverter (2) connected to the phases of said motor (6); and switching means (4) integrated into the inverter (2), said switching means (4) being configured to permit said motor (6) to be supplied and to permit the accumulator means (5) to be charged by the inverter (2). According to the invention, said electrical device further includes, for each phase of said motor (6), an RLC low-pass filter (18) connected, on the one hand, to the mid-point (16) of the phase of said motor (6) and, on the other hand, to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Publication number: 20120019173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined device and method for powering and charging, that comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter. The device includes means for compensating the magnetic fields generated during the charge of the storage means (5) in order to limit or prevent the movements of the motor (6) rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Luis de Sousa, Boris Bouchez
  • Publication number: 20110316462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric device for driving mechanical equipment comprising an alternating current motor and an inverter, the said inverter comprising, for each phase of the said motor, an H bridge structure comprising four switching elements distributed over two branches connecting two terminals of the said H bridge structure and intended to supply the winding of the said at least one phase of the motor, the said winding being a winding with a mid point and the said electric device being characterized in that it also comprises, for each phase of the said motor, an energy storage unit, in particular a supercondenser, connected, on the one hand, to the mid point of the winding of the concerned phase of the motor and, on the other hand, to a terminal of the H bridge structure supplying the said winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Publication number: 20110316465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging accumulation means via an external electrical network via at least a first (A) and a second (B) switching arm respectively comprising two switches (12), said method comprising a step for controlling the switches (12) of the switching arms (A, B) by transmission of pulse width modulation control signals, characterized in that the switches (12) of the second switching arm (B) are controlled by adapting the pulse width of the control signals so as to generate an alternating voltage (Vx) in phase opposition relative to the voltage at the terminals of a compensation inductance (7?) connected on the one hand to the second arm (B) and on the other hand to the neutral (N) of said network, so that the voltage (VN) between the neutral (N) of said network and ground is a direct voltage. The invention also relates to a charging device for implementing such a charging method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis de Sousa
  • Publication number: 20110316497
    Abstract: A method for closed-loop control of a DC-DC voltage converter operating in zero-voltage switching mode (ZVS) with a switching threshold (Z) is disclosed. The converter includes a plurality of interlaced cells, each cell having at least two controlled switches, which are alternately closed and open, and an inductor (L) in which an output current flows from the cell, and a clock with a given switching period configured for triggering the switching of the switches between upper (+M) and lower (?M) control thresholds, the control threshold (+M, ?M) with the value nearest to the switching threshold (Z) being denoted as an associated control threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Pierre Sardat, Luis de Sousa, Stephane Fontaine