Patents by Inventor Thomas Kerdraon

Thomas Kerdraon 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: 11892476
    Abstract: Current sensor packages are described including a leadframe configured to carry a current to be sensed and a current sensor that is electrically isolated from the leadframe. The current sensor is disposed adjacent to a first portion of the leadframe that includes a plurality of notches. An encapsulating material is configured to encapsulate the current sensor and at least a part of the first portion of the leadframe that is adjacent to the current sensor and includes the plurality of notches. The current sensor includes a substrate, a first magnetic field sensing element that is formed on the substrate, and a second magnetic field sensing element that is formed on the substrate. The first magnetic field sensing element and the second magnetic field sensing element are disposed on opposite sides of a central axis of the first portion of the leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Simon E. Rock, Thomas Kerdraon, Yannick Vuillermet, Loïc André Messier, Andreas P. Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20230258693
    Abstract: Current sensor packages are described including a leadframe configured to carry a current to be sensed and a current sensor that is electrically isolated from the leadframe. The current sensor is disposed adjacent to a first portion of the leadframe that includes a plurality of notches. An encapsulating material is configured to encapsulate the current sensor and at least a part of the first portion of the leadframe that is adjacent to the current sensor and includes the plurality of notches. The current sensor includes a substrate, a first magnetic field sensing element that is formed on the substrate, and a second magnetic field sensing element that is formed on the substrate. The first magnetic field sensing element and the second magnetic field sensing element are disposed on opposite sides of a central axis of the first portion of the leadframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Simon E. Rock, Thomas Kerdraon, Yannick Vuillermet, Loïc André Messier, Andreas P. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 10598515
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Tima, Yannick Vuillermet, Andreas P. Friedrich, Thomas Kerdraon
  • Patent number: 10480957
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and one of the speed or a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Patent number: 10436606
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect an angular speed and an angular direction of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Patent number: 10408639
    Abstract: A shifting device with two positive-locking shifting element halves includes a positive connection between the shifting element halves that is able to be established or released. The respective prevailing operating states of the shifting element halves are determined through a sensor device. The surface areas of an encoder contour relative to a measuring device are formed in a convex or concave manner, whereas a perpendicular gap between the surface areas of the encoder contour and a permanent magnet, starting from a joint area between the surface areas in the direction of an end area of the surface areas increases or decreases in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Hakspiel, Thomas Kerdraon, Andreas P. Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20190025082
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect speed and direction of angular rotation of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and one of the speed or a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Publication number: 20190025081
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic field sensor to detect an angular speed and an angular direction of a rotating magnetic structure. The magnetic field sensor includes at least two magnetic field sensing elements configured to sense changes in a magnetic field caused by rotation of the magnetic structure. The IC also includes an output port configured to provide an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The output signal indicates the angular direction and the speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Gary T. Pepka, Dominikus Maisl, Manfred Busch
  • Publication number: 20180094951
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Tima, Yannick Vuillermet, Andreas P. Friedrich, Thomas Kerdraon
  • Patent number: 9869566
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Tima, Yannick Vuillermet, Andreas P. Friedrich, Thomas Kerdraon
  • Publication number: 20170234702
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a back bias magnet to generate a DC magnetic field. First and second magnetic field sensing elements of the magnetic field sensor are disposed proximate to at least one ferromagnetic surface of a ferromagnetic target object. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements generate first and second electronic signals, respectively, in response to first and second sensed magnetic fields corresponding to the DC magnetic field but influenced by the at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor generates a difference signal that is a difference of amplitudes of the first and second electronic signals. The difference signal is indicative of a rotation measurement of an absolute relative rotation of the ferromagnetic target object and the magnetic field sensor about a rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Tima, Yannick Vuillermet, Andreas P. Friedrich, Thomas Kerdraon
  • Patent number: 9664497
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor with a magnet is disposed proximate to a ferromagnetic target object having at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor is operable to sense a relative location between the magnetic field sensor and the ferromagnetic target object along a movement line. In some embodiments, the target object is also spinning about a rotation axis parallel to the movement line. A corresponding method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Andreas P. Friedrich, Yannick Vuillermet
  • Patent number: 9383425
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an integrated circuit having a magnetic sensing element, a fault detection module including circuitry to detect a fault condition and to self-test operation of the circuitry to detect the fault. The integrated circuit includes a fault pin to indicate the fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun D. Milano, Thomas Kerdraon, Georges El Bacha, Michael Gaboury, Michael C. Doogue
  • Publication number: 20160178401
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) with two positive-locking shifting element halves (2) is described. A positive connection between the shifting element halves (2) is able to be established or released. The respective prevailing operating states of the shifting element halves (2) can be determined through a sensor device (3). The surface areas (7, 8) of the encoder contour (6) relative to a measuring device (5) are formed in a convex or concave manner, whereas a perpendicular gap between the surface areas (7, 8) of the encoder contour (6) and the permanent magnet (4), starting from a joint area (9) between the surface areas (7, 8) in the direction of an end area (10, 11) of the surface areas (7, 8), increases or decreases in each case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Hakspiel, Thomas Kerdraon, Andreas P. Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20150176962
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor with a magnet is disposed proximate to a ferromagnetic target object having at least one ferromagnetic surface. The magnetic field sensor is operable to sense a relative location between the magnetic field sensor and the ferromagnetic target object along a movement line. In some embodiments, the target object is also spinning about a rotation axis parallel to the movement line. A corresponding method is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kerdraon, Andreas P. Friedrich, Yannick Vuillermet
  • Publication number: 20140184200
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an integrated circuit having a magnetic sensing element, a fault detection module including circuitry to detect a fault condition and to self-test operation of the circuitry to detect the fault. The integrated circuit includes a fault pin to indicate the fault condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Shaun D. Milano, Thomas Kerdraon, Georges El Bacha, Michael Gaboury, Michael C. Doogue