Patents by Inventor James Thomas Sheeran

James Thomas Sheeran 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: 11431334
    Abstract: A closed loop switch control system and a corresponding method is provided for controlling an impedance of a switch. The switch, which usually comprises a transistor switch, may be part of an external circuit. The system comprises the switch and a control unit coupled to the switch. The control unit is configured to regulate an impedance of the switch to a reference impedance while also enabling a fast switch response time. This is achieved by configuring the control unit to have a frequency response comprising a plurality of dominant poles and at least one zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Dempsey, James Thomas Sheeran
  • Patent number: 11228310
    Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Thomas Sheeran, Michael C. W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20210313981
    Abstract: A closed loop switch control system and a corresponding method is provided for controlling an impedance of a switch. The switch, which usually comprises a transistor switch, may be part of an external circuit. The system comprises the switch and a control unit coupled to the switch. The control unit is configured to regulate an impedance of the switch to a reference impedance while also enabling a fast switch response time. This is achieved by configuring the control unit to have a frequency response comprising a plurality of dominant poles and at least one zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Dennis A. Dempsey, James Thomas Sheeran
  • Patent number: 10848152
    Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Thomas Sheeran, Michael C. W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20190288686
    Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Analog Devices Global Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Ying Zhao, Alan O'Donnell, Michael James Twohig, Olly J. Kierse, James Thomas Sheeran, Michael C.W. Coln, Paul W. Stevens, Bruce A. Hecht, Padraig Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, Mark Schirmer