Patents by Inventor Stephane Monfray
Stephane Monfray 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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Patent number: 10312431Abstract: A method of manufacturing bistable strips having different curvatures, each strip including a plurality of portion of layers of materials, wherein at least one specific layer portion is deposited by a plasma spraying method in conditions different for each of the strips.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS SA, STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SASInventors: Emilie Trioux, Pascal Ancey, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki, Skandar Basrour, Paul Muralt
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Patent number: 10298151Abstract: A power conversion device includes an enclosure containing one or more drops of a liquid. A capacitive electret transducer is coupled to the enclosure. In response to applied heat at a heating surface, the liquid vaporizes and then condenses on a flexible membrane of the capacitive electret transducer. The flexible membrane is displaced in response to the vaporization-condensation and the capacitive electret transducer generates an output current.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics SA, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Stephane Monfray, Christophe Maitre, Olga Kokshagina, Thomas Skotnicki, Ulrich Soupremanien
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Publication number: 20180372679Abstract: A dual gate ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) includes a first bias voltage node coupled to a back gate of the ISFET and a second bias voltage node coupled to a control gate of the ISFET. A bias voltage generator circuit is configured to generate a back gate voltage having a first magnitude and a first polarity for application to the first bias voltage node. The bias voltage generator circuit is further configured to generate a control gate voltage having a second magnitude and a second polarity for application to the second bias voltage node. The second polarity is opposite the first polarity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Getenet Tesega Ayele, Stephane Monfray
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Publication number: 20180358535Abstract: A thermo-electric generator includes a semiconductor membrane with a phononic structure containing at least one P-N junction. The membrane is suspended between a first support designed to be coupled to a cold thermal source and a second support designed to be coupled to a hot thermal source. The structure for suspending the membrane has an architecture allowing the heat flux to be redistributed within the plane of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Emmanuel Dubois, Jean-Francois Robillard, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 10103310Abstract: A thermo-electric generator includes a semiconductor membrane with a phononic structure containing at least one P-N junction. The membrane is suspended between a first support designed to be coupled to a cold thermal source and a second support designed to be coupled to a hot thermal source. The structure for suspending the membrane has an architecture allowing the heat flux to be redistributed within the plane of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Emmanuel Dubois, Jean-Francois Robillard, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 10074649Abstract: An integrated electronic detector operates to detecting a variation in potential on an input terminal. The detector includes a MOS transistor having a drain forming an output. Variation in drain current is representative of the variation in potential. A bipolar transistor has a base forming the input terminal and a collector electrically connected to the gate of the MOS transistor. The detector has a first configuration in which the bipolar transistor is conducting and the MOS transistor is turned off. The detector has a second configuration in which the bipolar transistor is turned off and the MOS transistor is in a sub-threshold operation. Transition of the detector from the first configuration to the second configuration occurs in response to the variation in potential.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Stephane Monfray, Gaspard Hiblot
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Patent number: 10075102Abstract: A system for converting thermal energy into electrical power includes a temperature-sensitive element held in a frame by its two ends between a heat source and a cold source producing a thermal gradient. A piezoelectric element is positioned between the frame and at least one end of the temperature-sensitive element. The temperature-sensitive element is configured to deform cyclically between two states under the action of the thermal gradient. With each cyclic deformation, a stress is applied to the piezoelectric element via the one end.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Arthur Arnaud, Jihane Boughaleb, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 10020758Abstract: A first closed enclosure defines a cavity having an inner dimension smaller than 5 mm. At least one second resiliently deformable closed enclosure is connected in fluid communication with the first enclosure. A fluid at more than 90% in the liquid state fills the first and second enclosures. A first portion of the first enclosure is in contact with a hot source of a temperature higher than the evaporation temperature of the fluid. A second portion of the first enclosure located between the first portion and the resiliently deformable closed enclosure is in contact with a cold source at a temperature lower than the condensation temperature of the fluid. An electromechanical transducer is coupled to a deformable membrane of the resiliently deformable closed enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, SOCPRA Sciences et Génie S.E.C.Inventors: Gholamreza Mirshekari, Etienne Leveille, Luc Guy Frechette, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 9972190Abstract: A detector of an event includes an electrical energy generator formed by a flexible piezoelectric element with a weight fastened to the flexible piezoelectric element that is biased with the weight in a position with the piezoelectric element flexed. In response to detection of the event, a trigger releases the weight so as to cause a vibration of the piezoelectric element. This vibration is converted by the flexible piezoelectric element into electrical energy. An electronic system is power by the electrical energy and is operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected event.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Stephane Monfray, Christophe Maitre, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 9966879Abstract: A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Stephane Monfray, Guillaume Savelli, Thomas Skotnicki, Philippe Coronel, Frederic Gaillard
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Publication number: 20170324354Abstract: A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Stephane Monfray, Guillaume Sevelli, Thomas Skotnicki, Phillippe Coronel, Frederic Gaillard
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Publication number: 20170248543Abstract: An integrated electronic detector operates to detecting a variation in potential on an input terminal. The detector includes a MOS transistor having a drain forming an output. Variation in drain current is representative of the variation in potential. A bipolar transistor has a base forming the input terminal and a collector electrically connected to the gate of the MOS transistor. The detector has a first configuration in which the bipolar transistor is conducting and the MOS transistor is turned off. The detector has a second configuration in which the bipolar transistor is turned off and the MOS transistor is in a sub-threshold operation. Transition of the detector from the first configuration to the second configuration occurs in response to the variation in potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Stephane Monfray, Gaspard Hiblot
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Patent number: 9698707Abstract: A device for converting thermal power into electric power includes many conversion cells arranged inside and on top of a substrate. Each conversion cell includes a curved bimetal strip and first and second diodes coupled to the bimetal strip. The diodes are arranged in a semiconductor region of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS, Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Stephane Monfray, Arthur Arnaud, Thomas Skotnicki, Onoriu Puscasu, Sebastien Boisseau
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Publication number: 20170169696Abstract: A detector of an event includes an electrical energy generator formed by a flexible piezoelectric element with a weight fastened to the flexible piezoelectric element that is biased with the weight in a position with the piezoelectric element flexed. In response to detection of the event, a trigger releases the weight so as to cause a vibration of the piezoelectric element. This vibration is converted by the flexible piezoelectric element into electrical energy. An electronic system is power by the electrical energy and is operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected event.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Stephane Monfray, Christophe Maitre, Thomas Skotnicki
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Publication number: 20170117823Abstract: A system for converting thermal energy into electrical power includes a temperature-sensitive element held in a frame by its two ends between a heat source and a cold source producing a thermal gradient. A piezoelectric element is positioned between the frame and at least one end of the temperature-sensitive element. The temperature-sensitive element is configured to deform cyclically between two states under the action of the thermal gradient. With each cyclic deformation, a stress is applied to the piezoelectric element via the one end.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Arthur Arnaud, Jihane Boughaleb, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 9615443Abstract: An integrated circuit chip cooling device includes a network of micropipes. A first pipe portion and a second pipe portion of the network are connected by at least one valve. The valve is formed of a bilayer strip. In response to change in temperature, the shape of the bilayer strip changes to move the valve from a substantially closed position to an open position. In one configuration, the change is irreversible. In another configuration, the change is reversible in response to an opposite change in temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics SA, Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Stephane Monfray, Sandrine Lhostis, Christophe Maitre, Olga Kokshagina, Philippe Coronel
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Patent number: 9601382Abstract: Elongated fins of a first semiconductor material are insulated from and formed over an underlying substrate layer (of either SOI or bulk type). Elongated gates of a second semiconductor material are then formed to cross over the elongated fins at channel regions, and the gate side walls are covered by sidewall spacers. A protective material is provided to cover the underlying substrate layer and define sidewall spacers on side walls of the elongated fins between the elongated gates. The first semiconductor material and insulating material of the elongated fins located between the protective material sidewall spacers (but not under the elongated gates) is removed to form trenches aligned with the channel regions. Additional semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown inside each trench between the elongated gates to form source-drain regions adjacent the channel regions formed by the elongated fins of the first semiconductor material located under the elongated gates.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Stephane Monfray, Ronald K. Sampson, Nicolas Loubet
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Patent number: 9601381Abstract: Elongated fins of a first semiconductor material are insulated from and formed over an underlying substrate layer. Elongated gates of a second semiconductor material are then formed to cross over the elongated fins at channel regions, and the gate side walls are covered by sidewall spacers. A protective material is provided to cover the underlying substrate layer and define sidewall spacers on side walls of the elongated fins between the elongated gates. The first semiconductor material and insulating material of the elongated fins located between the protective material sidewall spacers (but not under the elongated gates) is removed to form trenches aligned with the channel regions. Additional semiconductor material is then epitaxially grown inside each trench between the elongated gates to form source-drain regions adjacent the channel regions formed by the elongated fins of the first semiconductor material located under the elongated gates.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Nicolas Loubet, Stephane Monfray, Ronald Kevin Sampson
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Publication number: 20160351661Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate with an isolation region that bounds a zone. A transistor includes a concave semiconductor region that is supported by the isolation region in a first direction and has a concavity turned to face towards the zone. The concave semiconductor region contains drain, source and channel regions. A gate region for the transistor possesses a concave portion overlapping a portion of the concave semiconductor region. A dielectric region is located between the zone of the substrate and the concave semiconductor region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki
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Patent number: 9444371Abstract: A device for converting heat energy into electrical energy including cells, the cells including: a first cavity with one wall for contacting a heat source; a second cavity with one wall for contacting a cold source; a primary channel between the first cavity and the second cavity transporting a fluid as liquid drops, the primary channel providing transport of liquid fluid drops from the second cavity to the first cavity; at least one secondary channel between the first cavity and the second cavity transporting the fluid as a gas; a piezoelectric material provided in one of the cavities; and a fluid as a liquid and gas contained within the cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignees: Commisariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SASInventors: Emmanuel Ollier, Stephane Monfray, Thomas Skotnicki, Ulrich Soupremanien