Patents by Inventor Mirko Gravati

Mirko Gravati 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: 20220311341
    Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a switching stage of an electronic converter includes a first terminal configured to provide a drive signal and a second terminal configured to receive a first feedback signal. A third terminal receives a second feedback signal and a driver circuit provides the drive signal as a function of a PWM signal. A PWM signal generator circuit generates the PWM signal as a function of the first feedback signal, a reference threshold and the second feedback signal or a slope compensation signal. The control circuit is configured to sense an input signal, provide a first compensation parameter, and provide a first compensating signal as a function of a power of the input sensing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco FERRAZZA, Mirko GRAVATI, Christian Leone SANTORO
  • Patent number: 9948188
    Abstract: A control device for a switching converter having a transformer, with a primary winding receiving an input quantity, a secondary winding providing an output quantity, an auxiliary winding providing a feedback quantity, and a switch element. The control device has a processing module for generating a control signal for switching the switch element on the basis of the feedback quantity in order to regulate the output quantity via alternation of phases of storage and transfer of energy. The processing module controls the end of the transfer phase by comparing the feedback quantity with a comparison threshold. A discrimination circuit generates a signal for discrimination between the presence of a short circuit on the output or the fact that the input quantity is lower than a threshold. The processing module controls the end of the energy-transfer phase also on the basis of the discrimination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Ferrazza, Davide Lena, Mirko Gravati, Domenico Tripodi, Massimiliano Leggenda
  • Publication number: 20160126846
    Abstract: A control device for a switching converter having a transformer, with a primary winding receiving an input quantity, a secondary winding providing an output quantity, an auxiliary winding providing a feedback quantity, and a switch element. The control device has a processing module for generating a control signal for switching the switch element on the basis of the feedback quantity in order to regulate the output quantity via alternation of phases of storage and transfer of energy. The processing module controls the end of the transfer phase by comparing the feedback quantity with a comparison threshold. A discrimination circuit generates a signal for discrimination between the presence of a short circuit on the output or the fact that the input quantity is lower than a threshold. The processing module controls the end of the energy-transfer phase also on the basis of the discrimination signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Francesco Ferrazza, Davide Lena, Mirko Gravati, Domenico Tripodi, Massimiliano Leggenda
  • Patent number: 9329209
    Abstract: A peak detector circuit receives an oscillating power supply signal. A capacitor is selectably coupled to the signal and charged to a value corresponding to a peak value of the signal. A switch is then opened to isolate the capacitor. When the signal rises to within a selected threshold, relative to the stored value, a comparator produces a command signal to close the switch, again coupling the capacitor to the signal. The peak detector can also include a tracking circuit that controls the capacitor to track the oscillating signal while the switch is closed, a timer circuit that closes the switch and activates the tracking circuit if more than a selected time passes without production of a command signal, a circuit that controls the polarity of a leakage current of the capacitor, a further auxiliary capacitor and a further auxiliary switch with a further control logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mirko Gravati, Domenico Tripodi
  • Publication number: 20160103158
    Abstract: A peak detector circuit receives an oscillating power supply signal. A capacitor is selectably coupled to the signal and charged to a value corresponding to a peak value of the signal. A switch is then opened to isolate the capacitor. When the signal rises to within a selected threshold, relative to the stored value, a comparator produces a command signal to close the switch, again coupling the capacitor to the signal. The peak detector can also include a tracking circuit that controls the capacitor to track the oscillating signal while the switch is closed, a timer circuit that closes the switch and activates the tracking circuit if more than a selected time passes without production of a command signal, a circuit that controls the polarity of a leakage current of the capacitor, a further auxiliary capacitor and a further auxiliary switch with a further control logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Mirko Gravati, Domenico Tripodi
  • Patent number: 9094006
    Abstract: A control device of a switching circuit of a resonant apparatus is described. The switching circuit comprises at least one half-bridge having a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor connected between an input voltage and a reference voltage; the resonant apparatus comprises a resonant load. The control device is configured to determine the on time period and the off time period of the transistors alternatively and a dead time of both the transistors so that a periodic square-wave voltage is applied to the resonant load. The control device comprises a detector adapted to detect the current sign flowing through the resonant load and a correction circuit configured to extend the current operating time period of said two transistors in response to at least the current sign detected from the detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mirko Gravati, Christian Leone Santoro, Claudio Adragna, Aldo Vittorio Novelli
  • Patent number: 8884654
    Abstract: A peak detector circuit receives an oscillating power supply signal. A capacitor is selectably coupled to the signal and charged to a value corresponding to a peak value of the signal. A switch is then opened to isolate the capacitor. A comparator continually compares the signal with the value stored on the capacitor. When the signal rises to within a selected threshold, relative to the stored value, the comparator produces a command signal to close the switch, again coupling the capacitor to the signal. The peak detector can also include a tracking circuit that controls the capacitor to track the oscillating signal while the switch is closed, a timer circuit configured to close the switch and activate the tracking circuit if more than a selected time passes without production of a command signal, and a circuit configured to control the polarity of a leakage current of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mirko Gravati, Claudio Cantoro
  • Publication number: 20130293267
    Abstract: A control device of a switching circuit of a resonant apparatus is described. The switching circuit comprises at least one half-bridge having a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor connected between an input voltage and a reference voltage; the resonant apparatus comprises a resonant load. The control device is configured to determine the on time period and the off time period of the transistors alternatively and a dead time of both the transistors so that a periodic square-wave voltage is applied to the resonant load. The control device comprises a detector adapted to detect the current sign flowing through the resonant load and a correction circuit configured to extend the current operating time period of said two transistors in response to at least the current sign detected from the detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mirko Gravati, Christian Leone Santoro, Claudio Adragna, Aldo Vittorio Novelli