Patents by Inventor Theresa L. Flowers

Theresa L. Flowers 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).

  • Method and apparatus for starting power converters
    Patent number: 7078883
    Abstract: A startup circuit for starting a power converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes a switch connected in series with a resistive element. The startup circuit is connected in parallel with a trigger switch in the power converter for enabling the power converter to generate the output voltage. When closed or activated, the switch in the startup circuit charges an energy storing device in the power converter. The energy storing device activates the trigger switch as the charge is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Patrick Chapman, Philip T. Krein, Jonathan Kimball, Theresa L. Flowers