Patents by Inventor Cody B. Wheeland

Cody B. Wheeland 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: 10381874
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of an amplifier when driven by a variable load. In one aspect a transmitter device is provided. The transmitter device includes a driver circuit characterized by an efficiency. The driver circuit is electrically connected to a transmit circuit characterized by an impedance. The transmitter device further includes a filter circuit electrically connected to the driver circuit and configured to modify the impedance to maintain the efficiency of the driver circuit at a level that is within 20% of a maximum efficiency of the driver circuit. The impedance is characterized by a complex impedance value that is within a range defined by a real first impedance value and a second real impedance value. A ratio of the first real impedance value to the second real impedance value is at least two to one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Edward Wheatley, III, Zhen Ning Low, Stanley Slavko Toncich, Ngo Van Nguyen, Cody B. Wheeland
  • Patent number: 9368975
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for tuning in wireless power transfer circuits. One aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus for tuning. The apparatus includes a field effect transistor having a gate, source, and drain, where the field effect transistor is configured to electrically engage a tuning element to an AC power path. In some embodiments, one of the source or drain contacts is at an alternating current voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Cody B. Wheeland, Linda S. Irish, William H. Von Novak, III, Gabriel Isaac Mayo
  • Patent number: 9071284
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for detecting an impedance of a wireless power transmitter load. In one aspect, a method of determining a reactive condition of a wireless power transmitter apparatus is provided. The method comprises determining a value correlated to a voltage of a drain of a switching element of a driver circuit of the wireless power transmitter. The method further comprises determining a reactance load change based on the determined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Cody B. Wheeland, Ryan Tseng, William H Von Novak
  • Publication number: 20140152115
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for tuning in wireless power transfer circuits. One aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus for tuning. The apparatus includes a field effect transistor having a gate, source, and drain, where the field effect transistor is configured to electrically engage a tuning element to an AC power path. In some embodiments, one of the source or drain contacts is at an alternating current voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Cody B. Wheeland, Linda S. Irish, William H. Von Novak, III, Gabriel Isaac Mayo
  • Publication number: 20130038136
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing harmonic emissions. One aspect of the disclosure provides a transmitter apparatus. The transmitter apparatus includes a transmit circuit having an impedance determined by a complex impedance value. The transmitter apparatus further includes a driver circuit coupled to the transmit circuit. The transmitter apparatus further includes a first filter circuit coupled between the driver circuit and a power source. The first filter circuit is configured to substantially isolate emissions presented by the driver circuit to the power source. The transmitter apparatus further includes a second filter circuit coupled between the driver circuit and the transmit circuit and configured to reduce emissions presented by the transmit circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Charles E. Wheatley, Zhen Ning Low, Stanley S. Toncich, Ngo V. Nguyen, Cody B. Wheeland, Fang Han, Xuanning Gao
  • Publication number: 20120242284
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of an amplifier when driven by a variable load. In one aspect a transmitter device is provided. The transmitter device includes a driver circuit characterized by an efficiency. The driver circuit is electrically connected to a transmit circuit characterized by an impedance. The transmitter device further includes a filter circuit electrically connected to the driver circuit and configured to modify the impedance to maintain the efficiency of the driver circuit at a level that is within 20% of a maximum efficiency of the driver circuit. The impedance is characterized by a complex impedance value that is within a range defined by a real first impedance value and a second real impedance value. A ratio of the first real impedance value to the second real impedance value is at least two to one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Edward Wheatley, III, Zhen Ning Low, Stanley Slavko Toncich, Ngo Van Nguyen, Cody B. Wheeland