Patents by Inventor Steve Hawley
Steve Hawley 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).
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Publication number: 20230335328Abstract: A low-profile coupled inductor is disclosed to provide compact and high performance magnetic coupling. The low-profile coupled inductor has an asymmetrical geometry, having a pair of complementary ferrite cores supporting a pair of conducting strips in an alternating serpentine pattern. One or more core gaps exist between the cores to create a strong flux coupling between adjacent magnetic fields of either conducting strip. The alternating serpentine conductors and core gaps serve to increase energy transfer between the magnetic fields and improve the overall power density of the low-profile coupled inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Steve Hawley, George Anthony Serpa, John David Brazzle, Jim Yang
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Patent number: 10756614Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing and error correction in a switched-mode power supply composed of a high-side transistor coupled to a low-side transistor are described. One example method generally includes capturing a current associated with the low-side transistor at a first time corresponding to the low-side transistor turning off; capturing a current associated with the high-side transistor at a second time corresponding to a first delay after the high-side transistor turns on; capturing the current associated with the high-side transistor at a third time corresponding to the high-side transistor turning off; and applying a first correction current to a current-summing node of the current-sensing circuit for a first interval based on the first delay, wherein the first correction current is based on the captured current associated with the low-side transistor at the first time and on the captured current associated with the high-side transistor at the second time.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Stuart Pullen, Michael Bui, Steve Hawley, Chunping Song
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Patent number: 10749218Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus and techniques for charging a multi-stack battery pack. For example, certain aspects provide a circuit for charging a battery pack having multiple battery cells. The circuit generally includes a voltage regulator circuit and charge pump circuitry having an input coupled to an output of the voltage regulator circuit, and an output coupled to a first battery charging terminal. In certain aspects, the first battery charging terminal may be configured to be coupled to a terminal of a first battery cell of the multiple battery of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Steve Hawley, Giuseppe Pinto
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Patent number: 10523042Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to reducing the size of parallel charging circuits for charging a battery in a portable device, while still effectively providing input current sensing and reverse current blocking capabilities. One example battery charging circuit generally includes: (1) a first charging circuit comprising a first charging output connectable to a battery and a first converter to provide power to the first charging output; and (2) a second charging circuit comprising a second charging output connectable to the battery, a second converter to provide power to the second charging output, a first transistor coupled between an output of the second converter and the second charging output, and a current-sensing circuit coupled to the output of the second converter to sense a current through the first transistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Chunping Song, Jialei Xu, Stuart Pullen, Steve Hawley, Neal Horovitz, Shashank Prakash Mane
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Publication number: 20190379270Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing and error correction in a switched-mode power supply composed of a high-side transistor coupled to a low-side transistor are described. One example method generally includes capturing a current associated with the low-side transistor at a first time corresponding to the low-side transistor turning off; capturing a current associated with the high-side transistor at a second time corresponding to a first delay after the high-side transistor turns on; capturing the current associated with the high-side transistor at a third time corresponding to the high-side transistor turning off; and applying a first correction current to a current-summing node of the current-sensing circuit for a first interval based on the first delay, wherein the first correction current is based on the captured current associated with the low-side transistor at the first time and on the captured current associated with the high-side transistor at the second time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Stuart PULLEN, Michael BUI, Steve HAWLEY, Chunping SONG
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Patent number: 10432008Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Christian Sporck, VaraPrasad Arikatla, Shadi Hawawini, Steve Hawley, Thomas O'Brien, Seema Kumar, Aaron Melgar
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Patent number: 10326296Abstract: A multi-phase (e.g., dual-phase) concurrent configuration of a power management component supports higher current levels to peripheral devices while maintaining acceptable thermal limits. A dual-phase integrated circuit (IC) having a first input/output (I/O) port coupled to a battery and a second I/O port coupled to an adapter and a peripheral device implements the configuration. The dual phase IC includes a dual-phase voltage regulator that selectively provide power (i) from the first I/O port to the second I/O port to provide power to the peripheral device or (ii) from the second I/O port to the first I/O port to provide power to the battery. A controller activates a boost phase to power the second I/O port in response to detecting a demand current of the peripheral device exceeds a maximum current available from the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Stuart Pullen, Steve Hawley, Thomas O'Brien
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Publication number: 20190148795Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus and techniques for charging a multi-stack battery pack. For example, certain aspects provide a circuit for charging a battery pack. The circuit generally includes a voltage regulator circuit and charge pump circuitry having an input coupled to an output of the voltage regulator circuit, and an output coupled to a first battery charging terminal. In certain aspects, the first battery charging terminal may be configured to be coupled to a terminal of a first battery cell of the battery pack having multiple battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Steve HAWLEY, Giuseppe PINTO
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Publication number: 20180331564Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to reducing the size of parallel charging circuits for charging a battery in a portable device, while still effectively providing input current sensing and reverse current blocking capabilities. One example battery charging circuit generally includes: (1) a first charging circuit comprising a first charging output connectable to a battery and a first converter to provide power to the first charging output; and (2) a second charging circuit comprising a second charging output connectable to the battery, a second converter to provide power to the second charging output, a first transistor coupled between an output of the second converter and the second charging output, and a current-sensing circuit coupled to the output of the second converter to sense a current through the first transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Chunping SONG, Jialei XU, Stuart PULLEN, Steve HAWLEY, Neal HOROVITZ, Shashank Prakash MANE
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Publication number: 20180013295Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Christian Sporck, VaraPrasad Arikatla, Shadi Hawawini, Steve Hawley, Thomas O'Brien, Seema Kumar, Aaron Melgar
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Patent number: 9748788Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATEDInventors: Christian Sporck, VaraPrasad Arikatla, Shadi Hawawini, Steve Hawley, Thomas O'Brien, Seema Kumar, Aaron Melgar
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Publication number: 20170222464Abstract: A multi-phase (e.g., dual-phase) concurrent configuration of a power management component supports higher current levels to peripheral devices while maintaining acceptable thermal limits. A dual-phase integrated circuit (IC) having a first input/output (I/O) port coupled to a battery and a second I/O port coupled to an adapter and a peripheral device implements the configuration. The dual phase IC includes a dual-phase voltage regulator that selectively provide power (i) from the first I/O port to the second I/O port to provide power to the peripheral device or (ii) from the second I/O port to the first I/O port to provide power to the battery. A controller activates a boost phase to power the second I/O port in response to detecting a demand current of the peripheral device exceeds a maximum current available from the adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Stuart PULLEN, Steve HAWLEY, Thomas O'BRIEN
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Publication number: 20170222465Abstract: A method for supplying power to a battery determines a first thermal budget for a first charging regulator. The method also determines a second thermal budget for a second charging regulator. The first charging regulator and the second charging regulator are coupled to the battery. The method further includes dynamically increasing a first charging regulator power output and substantially simultaneously decreasing a second charging regulator power output based on the first thermal budget and the second thermal budget.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Steve HAWLEY, Christian SPORCK
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Publication number: 20170222463Abstract: A battery charging implementation improves the charging time (e.g., deliver a maximum or improved charge while minimizing or reducing power loss on the mobile device) by regulating a charging device duty cycle (e.g., buck duty cycle) of a switching regulator/converter (e.g., buck regulator) to a narrow range. An input voltage of a battery charging circuit is dynamically adjusted to maintain a duty cycle within a predetermined range. A battery is then charged in accordance with an output voltage of the battery charging circuit resulting from the adjusted duty cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Stuart PULLEN, Steve HAWLEY, Thomas O'BRIEN
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Publication number: 20170085098Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Christian Sporck, VaraPrasad Arikatla, Shadi Hawawini, Steve Hawley, Thomas O'Brien, Seema Kumar, Aaron Melgar
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Publication number: 20170019017Abstract: A method and apparatus for cancelling ripple voltage from an output voltage. A first voltage is input to a converter, which may be a buck converter, a boost converter, or a buck/boost converter. The converter converts the first or input voltage and produces a first output voltage that containing a first ripple voltage. A second voltage is input to an inverting converter and is adjusted. This second voltage contains a second output ripple voltage that is equal and opposite to the first ripple voltage. The first and second voltages are filtered and summed The summing cancels the output ripple voltage and delivers a cleaner voltage. The apparatus includes: a converter connected to a power source, an inverting converter connected to the power source, at least one filter connected to the converter; at least one filter connected to the inverting converter; a blocking capacitor connected to a summer; and a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventor: Steve Hawley