Patents by Inventor Brent A. McDonald
Brent A. McDonald 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: 20070046105Abstract: An information handling system (“IHS”) includes a system board and a power supply unit, coupled to the system board. The power supply unit includes a power converter for supplying power to a first output and a second output, a switch, coupled to the power converter, for regulating power supplied to the first and the second outputs in response to a duty cycle, and a control circuit, coupled to the switch, for receiving an indication of current level at the second output and in response to the indication of current level at the second output, adjusting the duty cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Brian Johnson, Brent McDonald
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Publication number: 20070029981Abstract: An information handling system (“IHS”) includes a system board and a power supply unit coupled to the system board. The power supply unit includes a switching power regulator. The switching power regulator includes an inductor coupled to an output, a capacitor coupled to the inductor, a switch, coupled to the inductor, for regulating power supplied by the power supply unit in response to a duty cycle, and a control circuit, coupled to the switch, for supplying current to the inductor while the switch is closed and charging the capacitor while the switch is open.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Brian Johnson, Brent McDonald
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Patent number: 7162655Abstract: Power supply response to variations in power demand by a microprocessor is improved with a compensation loops that estimate changes in load current with improved speed. The load current estimate is performed in part with a capacitance feed forward compensation loop that senses voltage at output capacitors to replicate the current present in the capacitors and communicates the capacitor current adjusted by an optimized gain to the power supply for adjustment of power output. Capacitor current is replicated with a frequency domain filter having a pole that cancels out the zero created by power supply equivalent series resistance and capacitor capacitance. The capacitance compensation loop improves power supply response time to microprocessor power demand skews so that the size or number of output capacitors may be reduced while still maintaining power supply at the microprocessor to within desired voltage and current tolerances.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Brent A. McDonald, John A. Herrmann, Daniel E. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20060114703Abstract: In a method and system for an improved inverter providing power to a load, the inverter receives a direct current (DC) input. A plurality of switches included in the inverter are controlled by a plurality of control signals to generate an alternating current (AC) output in response to the DC input. A zero crossing of the AC output current provided by the plurality of switches is detected, and the controlling of the plurality of switches is delayed in response to the zero crossing. The amount of delay is adjusted responsive to a change in the DC input to effectively maintain a constant switching frequency of the inverter. The delayed AC output current of the plurality of switches is filtered to provide power to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2006Publication date: June 1, 2006Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Erin Price, Brent McDonald, Chris Young
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Publication number: 20060083032Abstract: In a method and system for providing isolated power, a flyback controller includes a transformer operable to receive a primary voltage input and generate a secondary voltage output. A switch electrically coupled in series with a primary side of the transformer receives a control signal for controlling a duty cycle of the primary voltage. A controller is operable to generate the control signal responsive to receiving a plurality of inputs from the primary side. The controller regulates the secondary voltage output without receiving feedback input from a secondary side of the transformer by computing the secondary voltage as a predefined function of the plurality of the inputs when the switch is open.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2004Publication date: April 20, 2006Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Brent McDonald, Daniel Jenkins
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Patent number: 7020786Abstract: A system and method for selecting a voltage output reference required of a DC-DC converter included in a power supply, the voltage output reference corresponding to an operating state of the power supply load. The method stores data for the voltage output reference required for each of a plurality of operating states of the load in a corresponding register. A control input that identifies an operating state of the load is received. An output of the register is selected in response to the control input. The voltage output reference required for the operating state of the load is generated in response to the selected output from the register. An apparatus for selecting a voltage output reference required by a load with a plurality of operating states includes a plurality of registers. Each of the plurality of registers has a register input and a register output, and is configurable to store data corresponding to a voltage required by the load for each of a plurality of operating states.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Nikolai Vyssotski, John J. Breen, III, Brent A. McDonald
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Patent number: 7016208Abstract: In a method and system for an improved inverter providing power to a load, the inverter receives a direct current (DC) input. A plurality of switches included in the inverter are controlled by a plurality of control signals to generate an alternating current (AC) output in response to the DC input. A zero crossing of the AC output current provided by the plurality of switches is detected, and the controlling of the plurality of switches is delayed in response to the zero crossing. The amount of delay is adjusted responsive to a change in the DC input to effectively maintain a constant switching frequency of the inverter. The delayed AC output current of the plurality of switches is filtered to provide power to the load.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Erin L. Price, Brent A. McDonald, Chris Young
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Patent number: 7012380Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) is provided which includes an inverter circuit capable of operating over an extended DC input voltage range without substantial degradation in efficiency. A DC input voltage is converted to an AC input voltage. A first turns ratio of an AC transformer is applied to the AC input voltage if the DC input voltage is within a first voltage range. A second turns ratio of an AC transformer is applied to the AC input voltage if the DC voltage is within a second voltage range.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Erin L. Price, Brent A. McDonald
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Publication number: 20060045755Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) is provided which is cooled via an electromagnetic pump. The pump pushes a heat conducting liquid metal fluid in a heat conducting path away from a heat producing device such as a processor. The EM pump is driven by an AC electric current supplied to a transformer. The AC driven transformer supplies both a magnetic field and an electric current to the fluid in the pump. The system is configured such that the magnetic field and the electric current in the fluid are substantially orthogonal. Each time the AC electric current reverses polarity, the magnetic field and the electric current also each change polarity to force fluid out of the pump in the same direction during both the positive and negative going portions of the AC electric current cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Brent McDonald, Daniel Jenkins
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Publication number: 20060018132Abstract: In a two stage inverter providing power to a load, a first stage component is operable to receive a first voltage input and a first control input to generate a first voltage output, which is higher than the first voltage input. The first control input is indicative of the power provided to the load. The first voltage output varies in response to a change in the first voltage input by a predefined function. A second stage component of the inverter is operable to receive the first voltage output and a second control input to generate the power as an output. The second control input is indicative of the power provided to the load. A controller component of the inverter is operable to receive a feedback input indicative of the power required by the load and generates the first and second control inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2004Publication date: January 26, 2006Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Erin Price, Brent McDonald
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Publication number: 20050285546Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) is provided which includes an inverter circuit capable of operating over an extended DC input voltage range without substantial degradation in efficiency. A DC input voltage is converted to an AC input voltage. A first turns ratio of an AC transformer is applied to the AC input voltage if the DC input voltage is within a first voltage range. A second turns ratio of an AC transformer is applied to the AC input voltage if the DC voltage is within a second voltage range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2004Publication date: December 29, 2005Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Erin Price, Brent McDonald
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Publication number: 20050180183Abstract: In a method and system for an improved inverter providing power to a load, the inverter receives a direct current (DC) input. A plurality of switches included in the inverter are controlled by a plurality of control signals to generate an alternating current (AC) output in response to the DC input. A zero crossing of the AC output current provided by the plurality of switches is detected, and the controlling of the plurality of switches is delayed in response to the zero crossing. The amount of delay is adjusted responsive to a change in the DC input to effectively maintain a constant switching frequency of the inverter. The delayed AC output current of the plurality of switches is filtered to provide power to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2004Publication date: August 18, 2005Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Erin Price, Brent McDonald, Chris Young
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Patent number: 6928568Abstract: An information handling system comprising a processor, a battery to provide power to the information handling system, an AC adapter input port coupled to the battery configured to receive an AC adapter, and a battery charger coupled to the battery and the AC adapter input port configured to identify a characteristic of the AC adapter and adjust a battery charge current based upon the characteristic. The battery charger comprises an adapter identification subsystem coupled to the AC adapter input port configured to identify the characteristic and provide an adjustment current, and an adjustable charger coupled to the adapter identification subsystem and the battery, configured to set the battery charging current based upon the adjustment current. The AC adapter identification subsystem comprises an adapter identification circuit coupled to the AC adapter input port configured to identify the characteristic, and a microcontroller configured to provide the adjustment current to the adjustable charger.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: John J. Breen, Stacy A. Gower, Brent A. McDonald, Ayedin Nikazm, Richard M. Tonry
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Patent number: 6864666Abstract: A method and system for selectively discharging a dual battery system, which includes a primary smart battery and a secondary smart battery, the dual battery system being operable to provide electrical energy to an information handling system device. The secondary smart battery having a sufficient amount of the electrical energy is housed in a removable media of the device and is selectively discharged in response to a loss of an AC power source providing the electrical energy to the device. The primary smart battery having a sufficient amount of the electrical energy is then discharged in response to the discharging of the secondary smart battery to a threshold level. The primary smart battery continues to provide the electrical energy upon removal of the secondary smart battery from the removable media.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: John J. Breen, Christian L. Critz, Brent A. McDonald
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Publication number: 20050015631Abstract: Power supply response to variations in power demand by a microprocessor is improved with a compensation loops that estimate changes in load current with improved speed. The load current estimate is performed in part with a capacitance feed forward compensation loop that senses voltage at output capacitors to replicate the current present in the capacitors and communicates the capacitor current adjusted by an optimized gain to the power supply for adjustment of power output. Capacitor current is replicated with a frequency domain filter having a pole that cancels out the zero created by power supply equivalent series resistance and capacitor capacitance. The capacitance compensation loop improves power supply response time to microprocessor power demand skews so that the size or number of output capacitors may be reduced while still maintaining power supply at the microprocessor to within desired voltage and current tolerances.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventors: Brent McDonald, John Herrmann, Daniel Jenkins
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Publication number: 20040263118Abstract: A method and system for selectively discharging a dual battery system, which includes a primary smart battery and a secondary smart battery, the dual battery system being operable to provide electrical energy to an information handling system device. The secondary smart battery having a sufficient amount of the electrical energy is housed in a removable media of the device and is selectively discharged in response to a loss of an AC power source providing the electrical energy to the device. The primary smart battery having a sufficient amount of the electrical energy is then discharged in response to the discharging of the secondary smart battery to a threshold level. The primary smart battery continues to provide the electrical energy upon removal of the secondary smart battery from the removable media.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: John J. Breen, Christian L. Critz, Brent A. McDonald
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Publication number: 20040263123Abstract: In a method and system for operating each smart battery included in a smart battery system, the smart battery is initialized prior to the smart battery being electrically coupled to the smart battery system. The smart battery system or an external power source is selected to provide power to an information handling system device. The smart battery includes a smart electronics device, a charge switch and a discharge switch. The smart electronics operates the charge and discharge switches to jointly control an operating condition of the smart battery in response to receiving a control input from a controller of the device. The charge and discharge switches are closed in response to the smart electronics and the controller being in agreement to charge the first smart battery. The charge or the discharge switch is opened in response to either the smart electronics or the controller directing either of the switches to be opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: John J. Breen, Brent A. McDonald
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Patent number: 6804091Abstract: A circuit for suppressing transients in a voltage regulator due to a load step transient in the demand of the load. The circuit includes a suppressor element that is placed in the current path of the inductor of the switching regulator in response to a determination of an over voltage condition. The suppressor element pulls the voltage level of one side of the inductor below a particular potential, such as, e.g., system ground. Examples of suppressor elements that may be used include zener diodes, diodes, capacitors, resistors, and negative voltage sources. When the current through the inductor has subsided to a particular level, the suppressor element may be removed from the inductor current path, wherein the energy stored in a bulk filter capacitor may be drained through the inductor to the system ground. The suppressor circuit may be used in a information handling system or other type of electronic system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Daniel E. Jenkins, Brent A. McDonald
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Patent number: 6737840Abstract: In a DC-DC converter, a technique for sensing current supplied to a load and establishing an output voltage that conforms to a predetermined load line. The current carried by an inductor is sensed and used to control the duty cycle of the voltage applied to the inductor, thereby controlling the output voltage. A current sensing circuit includes a feedback network. A pole attributable to the feedback network cancels a zero attributable to the inductor so that a control voltage is developed that varies substantially linearly with the load current.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Brent A. McDonald, John J. Breen
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Publication number: 20040019815Abstract: A system and method for selecting a voltage output reference required of a DC-DC converter included in a power supply, the voltage output reference corresponding to an operating state of the power supply load. The method stores data for the voltage output reference required for each of a plurality of operating states of the load in a corresponding register. A control input that identifies an operating state of the load is received. An output of the register is selected in response to the control input. The voltage output reference required for the operating state of the load is generated in response to the selected output from the register. An apparatus for selecting a voltage output reference required by a load with a plurality of operating states includes a plurality of registers. Each of the plurality of registers has a register input and a register output, and is configurable to store data corresponding to a voltage required by the load for each of a plurality of operating states.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Nikolai Vyssotski, John J. Breen,, Brent A. McDonald