Patents by Inventor Ingolf Frank

Ingolf Frank 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).

  • Gate drive adapter
    Patent number: 11695321
    Abstract: A gate drive adapter circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive pulses suitable for controlling a silicon power transistor. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is configured to translate the pulses to voltages suitable for controlling a silicon-carbide power transistor. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the input circuit and to the output circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage. The output circuit is configured to apply the negative voltage to translate the pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • GATE DRIVE ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20220094258
    Abstract: A gate drive adapter circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive pulses suitable for controlling a silicon power transistor. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is configured to translate the pulses to voltages suitable for controlling a silicon-carbide power transistor. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the input circuit and to the output circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage. The output circuit is configured to apply the negative voltage to translate the pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • Gate drive adapter
    Patent number: 11223271
    Abstract: A gate drive adapter circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive pulses suitable for controlling a silicon power transistor. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is configured to translate the pulses to voltages suitable for controlling a silicon-carbide power transistor. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the input circuit and to the output circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage. The output circuit is configured to apply the negative voltage to translate the pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • Systems with power transistors, transistors coupled to the gates of the power transistors, and capacitive dividers coupled to the power transistors
    Patent number: 11005474
    Abstract: A system to regulate power from a first power supply to a load coupled to the first power supply, wherein a power transistor is coupled between the load and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • SYSTEMS WITH POWER TRANSISTORS, TRANSISTORS COUPLED TO THE GATES OF THE POWER TRANSISTORS, AND CAPACITIVE DIVIDERS COUPLED TO THE POWER TRANSISTORS
    Publication number: 20200343887
    Abstract: A system to regulate power from a first power supply to a load coupled to the first power supply, wherein a power transistor is coupled between the load and ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Xun GONG, Ingolf FRANK
  • Systems with power transistors, transistors coupled to the gates of the power transistors, and capacitive dividers coupled to the power transistors
    Patent number: 10756726
    Abstract: An example system comprises: a power transistor comprising a gate, a first terminal, and a second terminal; a transistor comprising a gate, a first terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the gate of the power transistor; a capacitive divider coupled to the first terminal of the power transistor and the gate of the transistor; and a resistive divider coupled to the first terminal of the power transistor and the gate of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • GATE DRIVE ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20200212790
    Abstract: A gate drive adapter circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive pulses suitable for controlling a silicon power transistor. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is configured to translate the pulses to voltages suitable for controlling a silicon-carbide power transistor. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the input circuit and to the output circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage. The output circuit is configured to apply the negative voltage to translate the pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • Gate drive adapter
    Patent number: 10630160
    Abstract: A gate drive adapter circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive pulses suitable for controlling a silicon power transistor. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is configured to translate the pulses to voltages suitable for controlling a silicon-carbide power transistor. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the input circuit and to the output circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage. The output circuit is configured to apply the negative voltage to translate the pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Xun Gong, Ingolf Frank
  • SYSTEMS WITH POWER TRANSISTORS, TRANSISTORS COUPLED TO THE GATES OF THE POWER TRANSISTORS, AND CAPACITIVE DIVIDERS COUPLED TO THE POWER TRANSISTORS
    Publication number: 20200106434
    Abstract: An example system comprises: a power transistor comprising a gate, a first terminal, and a second terminal; a transistor comprising a gate, a first terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the gate of the power transistor; a capacitive divider coupled to the first terminal of the power transistor and the gate of the transistor; and a resistive divider coupled to the first terminal of the power transistor and the gate of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Xun GONG, Ingolf FRANK
  • GATE DRIVE ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20190326806
    Abstract: A gate drive adapter circuit includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a charge pump circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive pulses suitable for controlling a silicon power transistor. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit. The output circuit is configured to translate the pulses to voltages suitable for controlling a silicon-carbide power transistor. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the input circuit and to the output circuit. The charge pump circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage. The output circuit is configured to apply the negative voltage to translate the pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Xun GONG, Ingolf FRANK
  • Method and Apparatus for Predictive Switching
    Publication number: 20140240024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predictive switching an output have been disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Ingolf Frank
  • Method and apparatus for predictive switching
    Patent number: 8447902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predictive switching an output have been disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ingolf Frank
  • Data pipeline with large tuning range of clock signals
    Patent number: 8166286
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data pipeline comprising a first stage with a data input for receiving a digital data input signal, a clock input and a data output, and a first bi-stable element being adapted to be switched in response to an edge of a first clock signal, and a dynamic latch stage comprising an input transfer element, and a second bi-stable element coupled between the input transfer element and a dynamic latch data output, wherein the input transfer element is adapted to be switched by a second clock signal and a delayed second clock signal, which is delayed with respect to the second clock signal by a first period of time being shorter than half a period of the second clock signal, such that the input transfer element allows signal transfer only during the first period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ingolf Frank, Gerd Rombach
  • Method and apparatus for pre-clocking
    Patent number: 7629816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-clocking have been disclosed. In one case pre-clocking is used to effectively decrease the delay to output timing with respect to a clock. In another case pre-clocking is used to allow an output signal more time to reach a given level. In another case a pre-clocking adjustment may be determined while a device is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingolf Frank, Duncan McRae
  • DATA PIPELINE WITH LARGE TUNING RANGE OF CLOCK SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20080313485
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data pipeline comprising a first stage with a data input for receiving a digital data input signal, a clock input and a data output, and a first bi-stable element being adapted to be switched in response to an edge of a first clock signal, and a dynamic latch stage comprising an input transfer element, and a second bi-stable element coupled between the input transfer element and a dynamic latch data output, wherein the input transfer element is adapted to be switched by a second clock signal and a delayed second clock signal, which is delayed with respect to the second clock signal by a first period of time being shorter than half a period of the second clock signal, such that the input transfer element allows signal transfer only during the first period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Ingolf Frank, Gerd Rombach
  • Method and apparatus for pre-clocking
    Patent number: 7375558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-clocking have been disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingolf Frank, Duncan McRae
  • Method and apparatus for pre-clocking
    Publication number: 20070139091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-clocking have been disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingolf Frank, Duncan McRae
  • Method and apparatus for predictive switching
    Publication number: 20070030938
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predictive switching an output have been disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ingolf Frank