Patents by Inventor Victor M. Simi

Victor M. Simi 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: 9780638
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate drive current in a power supply, independent of the input voltage, are provided. The power supply includes front end circuitry, control circuitry, and drive circuitry. The front end circuitry includes protection circuitry to defend against damage from EMI, voltage spikes, and the like. The control circuitry includes startup circuitry, power factor correction (PFC) circuitry, and output power configuration circuitry. The startup circuitry provides operational voltage to the PFC circuitry, derived from an input voltage, until an internally generated operational voltage becomes available. The PFC circuitry uses the operational voltage to generate output power for the drive circuitry based on the output power configuration circuitry. The drive circuitry includes drive current configuration circuitry to generate a drive current to drive a load, coupled to the power supply, independent of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LEDVANCE LLC
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20160087524
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate drive current in a power supply, independent of the input voltage, are provided. The power supply includes front end circuitry, control circuitry, and drive circuitry. The front end circuitry includes protection circuitry to defend against damage from EMI, voltage spikes, and the like. The control circuitry includes startup circuitry, power factor correction (PFC) circuitry, and output power configuration circuitry. The startup circuitry provides operational voltage to the PFC circuitry, derived from an input voltage, until an internally generated operational voltage becomes available. The PFC circuitry uses the operational voltage to generate output power for the drive circuitry based on the output power configuration circuitry. The drive circuitry includes drive current configuration circuitry to generate a drive current to drive a load, coupled to the power supply, independent of the input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 9065272
    Abstract: A power supply circuit and method for supplying power are provided. The power supply circuit includes a front end circuit, a power factor correction circuit, and a drive circuit. The front end circuit is configured to generate a direct current voltage based on an input voltage. The front end circuit includes a first surge protection circuit. The power factor correction circuit is configured to generate a driving voltage based on the generated direct current voltage. The power factor correction circuit includes a second surge protection circuit and an over-temperature protection circuit. The drive circuit is configured to generate an output voltage for a load based on the driving voltage. The drive circuit includes a third surge protection circuit, a startup circuit, and an open-circuit protection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20140247522
    Abstract: A power supply circuit and method for supplying power are provided. The power supply circuit includes a front end circuit, a power factor correction circuit, and a drive circuit. The front end circuit is configured to generate a direct current voltage based on an input voltage. The front end circuit includes a first surge protection circuit. The power factor correction circuit is configured to generate a driving voltage based on the generated direct current voltage. The power factor correction circuit includes a second surge protection circuit and an over-temperature protection circuit. The drive circuit is configured to generate an output voltage for a load based on the driving voltage. The drive circuit includes a third surge protection circuit, a startup circuit, and an open-circuit protection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 8779676
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a dimmable solid state light source, and devices such as lamps and fixtures incorporating the same, and methods of driving such sources, are provided. A supply voltage circuit provides a supply voltage to a power factor controller circuit, such that the supply voltage is maintained within the high end of a nominal supply voltage operating range of the power factor controller circuit. The driver may also include an open circuit protection circuit for disabling the power factor controller circuit when an open circuit occurs in the load, and/or protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20140159608
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a lamp assembly including one or more solid state light sources is provided. The driver circuit includes filtering and power factor correction with protective isolation. The driver circuit includes a transformer with electrically isolated windings and a power factor correction circuit that receives no feedback from a secondary winding of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Victor M. Simi, Tracy S. Woo, Khounthavy Nai Phasay
  • Patent number: 8575849
    Abstract: A driver circuit, solid state light (SSL) source assembly including same, and a method of driving an SSL source are provided. The driver circuit includes a rectifier, an inverter, a transformer, a PFC circuit, and a frequency control. The rectifier receives an AC voltage and provides an unregulated DC voltage. The inverter includes two switches, and receives respective control signals to operate these, to generate a resonate AC signal from the unregulated DC voltage. The transformer includes a primary winding coupled to the inverter, a secondary winding to be coupled to an SSL source through an output stage, and a feedback winding. The PFC circuit controls the inverter in response to signals representative of the unregulated DC voltage and the inverter's current. The frequency control generates the control signals to control the inverter's switching frequency in response to signals representative of the output stage's current and the feedback winding's current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20130169162
    Abstract: A ballast circuit for a light emitting diode (LED) based lamp including power factor correction with protective isolation. The circuit includes a transformer with electrically isolated windings and a power factor correction circuit that receives no feedback from a secondary winding side of the transformer. An LED-based lamp assembly and a method of driving an LED-based light source are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20130049589
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a dimmable solid state light source, and devices such as lamps and fixtures incorporating the same, and methods of driving such sources, are provided. A supply voltage circuit provides a supply voltage to a power factor controller circuit, such that the supply voltage is maintained within the high end of a nominal supply voltage operating range of the power factor controller circuit. The driver may also include an open circuit protection circuit for disabling the power factor controller circuit when an open circuit occurs in the load, and/or protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 8384295
    Abstract: A ballast circuit for a light emitting diode (LED) based lamp including power factor correction with protective isolation. The circuit includes a transformer with electrically isolated windings and a power factor correction circuit that receives no feedback from a secondary winding side of the transformer. An LED-based lamp assembly and a method of driving an LED-based light source are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20130015776
    Abstract: A driver circuit, solid state light (SSL) source assembly including same, and a method of driving an SSL source are provided. The driver circuit includes a rectifier, an inverter, a transformer, a PFC circuit, and a frequency control. The rectifier receives an AC voltage and provides an unregulated DC voltage. The inverter includes two switches, and receives respective control signals to operate these, to generate a resonate AC signal from the unregulated DC voltage. The transformer includes a primary winding coupled to the inverter, a secondary winding to be coupled to an SSL source through an output stage, and a feedback winding. The PFC circuit controls the inverter in response to signals representative of the unregulated DC voltage and the inverter's current. The frequency control generates the control signals to control the inverter's switching frequency in response to signals representative of the output stage's current and the feedback winding's current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 8164876
    Abstract: A transient voltage protection circuit that protects a load from transient voltages is disclosed. The circuit includes a series combination of a thyristor surge protection device (TSPD), a resistor and a transorb coupled for coupling in parallel with the load, and a fuse coupled between an AC input and the series combination. The TSPD and the transorb are configured to enter a transient mode upon application of a transient voltage to the circuit to shunt current from the load and provide an AC output voltage to the load less than the transient voltage without opening the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M Simi
  • Patent number: 8076860
    Abstract: A power converter and power conversion method converts an input AC signal to a voltage usable by a load while reducing power consumption, thereby making the converter and method suitable for a wider range of applications. A rectifier receives the AC input signal and outputs a rectified voltage Vs, a controller has a power input connected to Vs and outputs two out-of-phase signals, two transistors are connected in series between Vs and a ground and each of the two transistors has a gate connected to a respective one of the two out-of-phase signals, and a transformer that has a primary coil connected to a node between the two transistors and a secondary coil connected to a load feeds back current from the secondary coil to the power input of the controller to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20110109230
    Abstract: A ballast circuit for a light emitting diode (LED) based lamp including power factor correction with protective isolation. The circuit includes a transformer with electrically isolated windings and a power factor correction circuit that receives no feedback from a secondary winding side of the transformer. An LED-based lamp assembly and a method of driving an LED-based light source are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20110058299
    Abstract: A transient voltage protection circuit that protects a load from transient voltages is disclosed. The circuit includes a series combination of a thyristor surge protection device (TSPD), a resistor and a transorb coupled for coupling in parallel with the load, and a fuse coupled between an AC input and the series combination. The TSPD and the transorb are configured to enter a transient mode upon application of a transient voltage to the circuit to shunt current from the load and provide an AC output voltage to the load less than the transient voltage without opening the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 7821323
    Abstract: A bias circuit for a switching power supply includes a rectifier that is connected to an AC power source and outputs a full wave rectified voltage Vs; a voltage divider, a diode, a first transistor, and a second transistor connected in parallel between Vs and ground; a capacitor connected between a first terminal of the second transistor and ground; and a node between the capacitor and the first terminal of the second transistor providing an output bias voltage Vcc from the bias circuit. A voltage from the voltage divider is provided to a gate of the first transistor, and the diode and a first terminal of the first transistor are connected to a gate of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20100109539
    Abstract: A power converter and power conversion method converts an input AC signal to a voltage usable by a load while reducing power consumption, thereby making the converter and method suitable for a wider range of applications. A rectifier receives the AC input signal and outputs a rectified voltage Vs, a controller has a power input connected to Vs and outputs two out-of-phase signals, two transistors are connected in series between Vs and a ground and each of the two transistors has a gate connected to a respective one of the two out-of-phase signals, and a transformer that has a primary coil connected to a node between the two transistors and a secondary coil connected to a load feeds back current from the secondary coil to the power input of the controller to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Publication number: 20100109754
    Abstract: A bias circuit for a switching power supply includes a rectifier that is connected to an AC power source and outputs a full wave rectified voltage Vs; a voltage divider, a diode, a first transistor, and a second transistor connected in parallel between Vs and ground; a capacitor connected between a first terminal of the second transistor and ground; and a node between the capacitor and the first terminal of the second transistor providing an output bias voltage Vcc from the bias circuit. A voltage from the voltage divider is provided to a gate of the first transistor, and the diode and a first terminal of the first transistor are connected to a gate of the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventor: Victor M. Simi
  • Patent number: 5908600
    Abstract: An improved area monitor for detecting gas concentration is provided that requires a very infrequent calibration, and works reliably in detecting a particular target gas using only two semiconductor sensors. One of these sensors will exhibit a drift that is constantly monitored and automatically compensated for, while the other sensor exhibits a stable, repeatable response over very long periods of time. Once the "stable" has been initially calibrated, the concentration of the target gas can be discerned directly from the resistance of this sensor, although more that one particular chemical gas may cause the stable sensor to change resistance. The second sensor is then used to discern whether or not the change in resistance of the stable sensor was due to the actual target chemical, or due to some other similar chemical. The second sensor is selected to be of a type that responds in one direction (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: APL Group International, LLC
    Inventors: Victor M. Simi, Ashok Murthy
  • Patent number: 4607351
    Abstract: Cartridge (1) contains memory (40a-40h) and a back-up battery (13). Terminals (5a-5i) of the cartridge (1) plug into termnals (7a-7i) of a host machine (3). Positive deactivation of the write control is achieved by both the base and emitter of a bipolar transistor (52) being deactivated when the cartridge (1) is unplugged. Battery voltage then appears at read/write control line (64) through resistor (56) connected to the collector of the transistor (52). This brings the control line (64) to the read status and positively protects data in memory (40a-40h) against transient signals, which may occur especially during plug in when the host (3) is activated, or from electrostatic charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: International Business Machine Corp.
    Inventors: Jeri L. Gerber, Jorge L. Nazario, Victor M. Simi