Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Lenk

Kenneth L. Lenk 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).

  • Method and apparatus for low standby current switching regulator
    Patent number: 8552703
    Abstract: A regulator controller which controls conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, including a switching regulator, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a mode controller. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal to regulate the output voltage when enabled. The LDO regulator also regulates the output voltage when enabled. The mode controller enables or disables the switching regulator and the LDO regulator based on a load condition. The switching regulator is enabled and the LDO regulator is disabled during normal operation. The LDO regulator is enabled when the low load condition is detected, such as a skipped pulse on the pulse control signal. The switching regulator is disabled when the pulse control signal reaches a minimum level. The LDO regulator is disabled and the switching regulator is re-enabled based on threshold conditions of the current output of the LDO regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Zaki Moussaoui, Kenneth L. Lenk
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW STANDBY CURRENT SWITCHING REGULATOR
    Publication number: 20120223687
    Abstract: A regulator controller which controls conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, including a switching regulator, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a mode controller. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal to regulate the output voltage when enabled. The LDO regulator also regulates the output voltage when enabled. The mode controller enables or disables the switching regulator and the LDO regulator based on a load condition. The switching regulator is enabled and the LDO regulator is disabled during normal operation. The LDO regulator is enabled when the low load condition is detected, such as a skipped pulse on the pulse control signal. The switching regulator is disabled when the pulse control signal reaches a minimum level. The LDO regulator is disabled and the switching regulator is re-enabled based on threshold conditions of the current output of the LDO regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Zaki Moussaoui, Kenneth L. Lenk