Patents by Inventor Kevin Wendell Dowdy

Kevin Wendell Dowdy 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: 9575096
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention increase current monitoring accuracy in switching converters. In particular, certain embodiments of the invention allow reduce noise associated with transients that are typically generated at transitions when power FETs are turn on and off and allow to accurately sense inductor DC current of switching converters, thereby, increase current monitoring accuracy without requiring any blanking circuitry. In certain embodiments of the invention, this is accomplished by an acquisition circuit that dynamically monitors current in various operating modes. A phase frequency detector (PFD) and control circuit in the acquisition circuit automatically align a narrow sampling window and the midpoint of a turn-on signal. Certain embodiments utilize an analog multiplier circuit to sense current in skip mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Kevin Wendell Dowdy, Dale Alan Kemper
  • Publication number: 20150137782
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention increase current monitoring accuracy in switching converters. In particular, certain embodiments of the invention allow reduce noise associated with transients that are typically generated at transitions when power FETs are turn on and off and allow to accurately sense inductor DC current of switching converters, thereby, increase current monitoring accuracy without requiring any blanking circuitry. In certain embodiments of the invention, this is accomplished by an acquisition circuit that dynamically monitors current in various operating modes. A phase frequency detector (PFD) and control circuit in the acquisition circuit automatically align a narrow sampling window and the midpoint of a turn-on signal. Certain embodiments utilize an analog multiplier circuit to sense current in skip mode operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Kevin Wendell Dowdy, Dale Alan Kemper