Patents by Inventor Nicholas R. Steffen

Nicholas R. Steffen 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: 8193796
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power regulator for providing precisely regulated power to a microelectronic device such as a microprocessor. Improved power regulation is accomplished by optimizing the power efficiency of the power regulator. In particular, in a multiphase system, the number of active phases is increased or decreased to achieve optimum power efficiency. The multiphase voltage regulator adapts the operating mode to maximize efficiency as the load current demand of the load device changes by adjusting the number of active phases to maximize efficiency. The total value of current provided by the regulator and the total number of active phases is determined, the total number of active phases is compared with the number of active phases required to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency; and the number of active phases is adjusted to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Benjamim Tang, Robert T. Carroll, Nicholas R. Steffen, Richard C. Pierson
  • Publication number: 20090224731
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power regulator for providing precisely regulated power to a microelectronic device such as a microprocessor. Improved power regulation is accomplished by optimizing the power efficiency of the power regulator. In particular, in a multiphase system, the number of active phases is increased or decreased to achieve optimum power efficiency. The multiphase voltage regulator adapts the operating mode to maximize efficiency as the load current demand of the load device changes by adjusting the number of active phases to maximize efficiency. The total value of current provided by the regulator and the total number of active phases is determined, the total number of active phases is compared with the number of active phases required to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency; and the number of active phases is adjusted to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: BENJAMIM TANG, Robert T. Carroll, Nicholas R. Steffen, Richard C. Pierson
  • Patent number: 7492134
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power regulator for providing precisely regulated power to a microelectronic device such as a microprocessor. Improved power regulation is accomplished by optimizing the power efficiency of the power regulator. In particular, in a multiphase system, the number of active phases is increased or decreased to achieve optimum power efficiency. The multiphase voltage regulator adapts the operating mode to maximize efficiency as the load current demand of the load device changes by adjusting the number of active phases to maximize efficiency. The total value of current provided by the regulator and the total number of active phases is determined, the total number of active phases is compared with the number of active phases required to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency; and the number of active phases is adjusted to provide the total value of current at maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Primarion, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamim Tang, Robert T. Carroll, Nicholas R. Steffen, Richard C. Pierson
  • Patent number: 6252334
    Abstract: Modular control patches including assemblies of sensors and actuators are provided to impart or control vibration of foundation members such as struts in aerospace apparatus. Local digital electronic control means is associated with each control patch assembly. Programmable digital compensators in the control permits operation of the patches to be remotely varied. Patches are attached mechanically or by chemical bonding to the outside of the struts so that the electronics can be selectively removed and replaced. The patch being the sensors and actuators may also be attached or embedded with a composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Nye, Allen J. Bronowicki, Richard E. Wyse, George R. Dvorsky, Nicholas R. Steffen, Claude I. Kansaku