Patents by Inventor Brent McDonald

Brent 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).

  • Publication number: 20030223159
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel E. Jenkins, Brent A. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20030205991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Brent A. McDonald, John J. Breen
  • Publication number: 20030159073
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: John J. Breen, Stacy A. Gower, Brent A. McDonald, Ayedin Nikazm, Richard M. Tonry
  • Patent number: 6600298
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Brent A. McDonald, John J. Breen
  • Publication number: 20030080718
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Brent A. McDonald, John J. Breen