The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 24, 2026
Filed:
Mar. 04, 2024
Stmicroelectronics International N.v., Geneva, CH;
Alessandro Bertolini, Vermiglio, IT;
Alessandro Gasparini, Cusano Milanino, IT;
STMicroeIectronics International N.V., Geneva, CH;
Abstract
Circuitry for detecting a short across an inductor of a DC-DC converter includes a decoupling-circuit coupled between an inductor-terminal and an intermediate-node that, when activated, generates a detection-voltage (representative of voltage at the inductor-terminal) at the intermediate-node. A logic-circuit has an input coupled to the intermediate-node and an output generating a detection-signal. The detection-signal is asserted when the detection-voltage is closer to an input-voltage to the DC-DC converter than ground but is deasserted when the detection-voltage is closer to ground. Control-circuitry, at the beginning of a high-side conduction-phase, activates the decoupling-circuit and delays for a delay-period. After expiration of the delay-period and in response to the detection-signal being asserted, the control-circuitry completes the high-side conduction-phase. After expiration of the delay period and when the detection-signal is deasserted, the control-circuitry ceases the high-side conduction-phase of the DC-DC converter without completing the high-side conduction-phase and prevent beginning of a low-side conduction-phase.