Patents by Inventor Robert D. Wickersham

Robert D. Wickersham 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: 9122467
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a primary voltage regulator to couple a regulated voltage to a processor via a supply line. This regulator includes a multi-phase controller to provide the regulated voltage in multiple phases and to provide a maximum current output sufficient to meet a thermal design power (TDP) of the processor. In addition, an auxiliary voltage regulator may be configured to provide an excess current to the processor via the supply line for a time limited duration, e.g., based on the supply line state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Dinh, Robert D. Wickersham, Daniel Kingsley, Edward L. Payton
  • Patent number: 9110644
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a primary voltage regulator to couple a regulated voltage to a processor via a supply line. This regulator includes a multi-phase controller to provide the regulated voltage in multiple phases and to provide a maximum current output sufficient to meet a thermal design power (TDP) of the processor. In addition, an auxiliary voltage regulator may be configured to provide an excess current to the processor via the supply line for a time limited duration, e.g., based on the supply line state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Dinh, Robert D. Wickersham, Daniel Kingsley, Edward L. Payton
  • Patent number: 8933677
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a voltage regulator device may include a variable frequency voltage regulator, a sense circuit coupled to an output of the variable frequency voltage regulator, the sense circuit to sense a signal corresponding to an output condition of the variable frequency voltage regulator, and a frequency adjust circuit coupled between the sense circuit and the variable frequency voltage regulator, the frequency adjust circuit to dynamically adjust an operating frequency of the variable frequency voltage regulator based on the signal sensed by the sense circuit during operation of the variable frequency voltage regulator. For example, the frequency adjust circuit may be configured to adjust the operating frequency of the variable frequency voltage regulator over a range of frequencies for a corresponding range of sensed output conditions. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, James S. Dinh, William G. Rider
  • Publication number: 20140082377
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a primary voltage regulator to couple a regulated voltage to a processor via a supply line. This regulator includes a multi-phase controller to provide the regulated voltage in multiple phases and to provide a maximum current output sufficient to meet a thermal design power (TDP) of the processor. In addition, an auxiliary voltage regulator may be configured to provide an excess current to the processor via the supply line for a time limited duration, e.g., based on the supply line state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: James S. Dinh, Robert D. Wickersham, Daniel Kingsley, Edward L. Payton
  • Patent number: 8294438
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a regulator with a reverse coupled inductor is provided. It can operate in both a multi-phase and a phase shed mode. When in the phase shed mode, it has circuitry to provide a low resistance path for induced current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, William Rider
  • Publication number: 20100259236
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a voltage regulator device may include a variable frequency voltage regulator, a sense circuit coupled to an output of the variable frequency voltage regulator, the sense circuit to sense a signal corresponding to an output condition of the variable frequency voltage regulator, and a frequency adjust circuit coupled between the sense circuit and the variable frequency voltage regulator, the frequency adjust circuit to dynamically adjust an operating frequency of the variable frequency voltage regulator based on the signal sensed by the sense circuit during operation of the variable frequency voltage regulator. For example, the frequency adjust circuit may be configured to adjust the operating frequency of the variable frequency voltage regulator over a range of frequencies for a corresponding range of sensed output conditions. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, James S. Dinh, William G. Rider
  • Patent number: 7741881
    Abstract: In some embodiments a power circuit includes a driver output, a MOSFET, and circuitry to ensure a full and fast positive drive to a gate of the MOSFET when the driver output goes to a high signal level, and to ensure a full and fast low negative drive to the gate of the MOSFET when the driver output goes to a low signal level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, William Rider
  • Publication number: 20090167284
    Abstract: In some embodiments an inductor is external to a tightly coupled transformer. The inductor is coupled in series with at least one input of the tightly coupled transformer, and the inductor does not rely on any leakage inductances of the tightly coupled transformer. The tightly coupled transformer and the inductor are included in the same package. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Robert D. Wickersham
  • Patent number: 7498790
    Abstract: A system may include a voltage controller to provide a control signal, a voltage converter to receive the control signal and to change a value of an output voltage in response to the control signal, and an evaluation circuit to determine that a threshold associated with a pulse width of the control signal has been satisfied and to change an electrical value on which a frequency of the control signal is based if the threshold has been satisfied. The voltage controller may increase the frequency of the control signal in response to the changed electrical value. The increase in frequency may be continuous and may begin at start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Wickersham
  • Publication number: 20090001945
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a regulator with a reverse coupled inductor is provided. It can operate in both a multi-phase and a phase shed mode. When in the phase shed mode, it has circuitry to provide a low resistance path for induced current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, William Rider
  • Publication number: 20080238528
    Abstract: In some embodiments a power circuit includes a driver output, a MOSFET, and circuitry to ensure a full and fast positive drive to a gate of the MOSFET when the driver output goes to a high signal level, and to ensure a full and fast low negative drive to the gate of the MOSFET when the driver output goes to a low signal level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, William Rider
  • Patent number: 7193397
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes a transformer circuit, a filter, and a controller. The transformer circuit is coupled to the filter, and the controller is coupled to the transformer circuit and the filter. The transformer circuit includes an input port and an autotransformer coupled to the input port. The voltage converter receives an input signal at the input port and generates a transformer output signal from a transformer output port. The filter receives the transformer output signal on a filter input port and the filter generates an output signal at an output port. The controller receives the output signal from the filter and provides one or more control signals to the transformer circuit to control the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James S Dinh, Robert D Wickersham
  • Patent number: 6879138
    Abstract: A buck converter is disclosed which prevents a voltage drop below a desired voltage when a load change occurs. The buck converter generates an override signal to turn on one or more switch devices in the circuitry. The effect of the override signal is to provide a sudden increase in the current supplied to a load, preventing the output voltage from dropping below the predetermined level. Sensing circuitry within the buck converter detects a voltage drop at the load, causing the override signal to be generated. The override signal may be a continuous signal or a one-shot pulse. Additional current sensing circuitry and the switch history of the buck converter determines the duration of the override signal for one embodiment and the number of switches activated within the buck converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Dinh, Robert D. Wickersham
  • Publication number: 20040263135
    Abstract: A converter includes a transformer circuit, a filter, and a controller. The transformer circuit is coupled to the filter, and the controller is coupled to the transformer circuit and the filter. The transformer circuit includes an input port and an autotransformer coupled to the input port. The converter receives an input signal at the input port and the filter generates an output signal at an output port. The controller receives the output signal from the filter and provides one or more control signals to the transformer circuit to control the output signal. A method includes receiving a first input signal at a transformer circuit including a first coil and a second coil, activating a first switch to serially connect the first coil to the second coil, activating a second switch to connect the second coil to a second input signal, deactivating the first switch and the second switch, and activating a third switch to connect the first switch to the second input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: James S. Dinh, Robert D. Wickersham
  • Publication number: 20040076026
    Abstract: A buck converter is disclosed which prevents a voltage drop below a desired voltage when a load change occurs. The buck converter generates an override signal to turn on one or more switch devices in the circuitry. The effect of the override signal is to provide a sudden increase in the current supplied to a load, preventing the output voltage from dropping below the predetermined level. Sensing circuitry within the buck converter detects a voltage drop at the load, causing the override signal to be generated. The override signal may be a continuous signal or a one-shot pulse. Additional current sensing circuitry and the switch history of the buck converter determines the duration of the override signal for one embodiment and the number of switches activated within the buck converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: James S. Dinh, Robert D. Wickersham
  • Patent number: 6417653
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a DC-to-DC converter includes: a circuit configuration to modify the set point of the output voltage signal level of the DC-to-DC converter circuit in response to a transient signal by an amount related, at least in part, to the magnitude of the transient signal. Briefly, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a DC-to-DC converter circuit includes: a high-side and a low-side voltage switching device. The switching devices are coupled in a circuit configuration to apply a control voltage signal to each switching device based, at least in part, on the state of the other switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Harold L. Massie, Edward L. Payton, Robert D. Wickersham
  • Patent number: 6380722
    Abstract: A method for limiting a switching current and limiting a voltage drop across a circuit includes the steps of limiting a current sent from a power source to a switching device during a turn on time of the switching device by disposing an inductor device in series between the power source and said switching device and returning flux energy stored in said inductor device to the power source during a turn off time of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Wickersham
  • Publication number: 20020039017
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a DC-to-DC converter includes: a circuit configuration to modify the set point of the output voltage signal level of the DC-to-DC converter circuit in response to a transient signal by an amount related, at least in part, to the magnitude of the transient signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: HAROLD L. MASSIE, EDWARD L. PAYTON, ROBERT D. WICKERSHAM
  • Patent number: 6362607
    Abstract: An improved multi-phase voltage regulator is disclosed. That voltage regulator includes a multi-phase switching signal generator for generating a plurality of out of phase switching signals. Those switching signals define a fixed duty cycle for each of a plurality of switching voltage converters. A switching mechanism is coupled to the multi-phase switching signal generator. That switching mechanism has an input for receiving a feedback voltage and includes logic for enabling and disabling the multi-phase switching signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Wickersham, James S. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20010043058
    Abstract: A method for limiting a switching current and limiting a voltage drop across a circuit includes the steps of limiting a current sent from a power source to a switching device during a turn on time of the switching device by disposing an inductor device in series between the power source and said switching device and returning flux energy stored in said inductor device to the power source during a turn off time of the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Robert D. Wickersham