Patents by Inventor Lawrence Hunter
Lawrence Hunter 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: 11933859Abstract: In some examples, apparatus comprises a multiplexer (MUX) adapted to be coupled to a set of battery cells and configured to provide a voltage of a different battery cell in the set of battery cells based on a MUX control signal. Apparatus comprises a comparator coupled to the MUX and configured to compare a MUX output signal to a threshold voltage to provide a comparator output signal. Apparatus comprises a digital control circuit configured to provide the MUX control signal to the MUX, to store the comparator output signal, and to use a logic AND gate to provide an AND gate output signal based on the stored comparator output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Eric Frank Estes, Wallace Edward Matthews
-
Publication number: 20230170864Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier, a resistor, and an adaptive bias circuit. The amplifier includes an output and a tail input. The amplifier is configured to generate an output signal representative of a difference of a first input signal and a second input signal. The resistor is coupled to the output of the amplifier. The resistor is configured to lower an output resistance of the amplifier. The adaptive bias circuit is coupled between the output of the amplifier and the tail input of the amplifier. The adaptive bias circuit is configured to generate a detection current based on the output signal, and provide the detection current to the tail input of the amplifier to increase the gain of the amplifier based on the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventor: Bradford Lawrence HUNTER
-
Publication number: 20230003810Abstract: In some examples, apparatus comprises a multiplexer (MUX) adapted to be coupled to a set of battery cells and configured to provide a voltage of a different battery cell in the set of battery cells based on a MUX control signal. Apparatus comprises a comparator coupled to the MUX and configured to compare a MUX output signal to a threshold voltage to provide a comparator output signal. Apparatus comprises a digital control circuit configured to provide the MUX control signal to the MUX, to store the comparator output signal, and to use a logic AND gate to provide an AND gate output signal based on the stored comparator output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Bradford Lawrence HUNTER, Eric Frank ESTES, Wallace Edward MATTHEWS
-
Patent number: 11536615Abstract: An integrated circuit includes: a resistor terminal adapted to be coupled to a first end of a first resistor; a ground terminal adapted to be coupled to a second end of the first resistor; a second resistor in series with the first resistor and having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to the resistor terminal; a first capacitor having a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal, the first capacitor terminal is coupled to: the first end of the second resistor via a first switch; and the ground terminal via a second switch; a second capacitor having a third capacitor terminal and a fourth capacitor terminal, the third capacitor terminal is coupled to: the first end of the second resistor via a third switch; the resistor terminal via a fourth switch; and the ground terminal via a fifth switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Bradford Lawrence Hunter
-
Patent number: 11502700Abstract: A calibratable switched-capacitor voltage reference and an associated calibration method are described. The voltage reference includes dynamic diode elements providing diode voltages, input capacitor(s) for sampling input voltages, base-emitter capacitor(s) for sampling one diode voltage with respect to a ground, dynamically trimmable capacitor(s) for sampling the one diode voltage with respect to another diode voltage, and an operational amplifier coupled to the capacitors for providing reference voltage(s) based on the sampled input and diode voltages and on trims of the trimmable capacitor(s). The voltage reference can be configured as a first integrator of a modulator stage of a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Xiaopeng Li
-
Patent number: 11418181Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit comprising a switch coupled between a first node and a second node, a first transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal coupled to the second node, and a source terminal coupled to a ground terminal, a logic gate having a first input, a second input coupled to a third node, and an output coupled to the gate terminal of the first transistor, and a comparator having a first input coupled to the second node, a second input coupled to a fourth node, and an output coupled to the first input of the logic gate.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Karthik Nandimandalam Venkata, Quanqing Hu
-
Publication number: 20220146329Abstract: An integrated circuit includes: a resistor terminal adapted to be coupled to a first end of a first resistor; a ground terminal adapted to be coupled to a second end of the first resistor; a second resistor in series with the first resistor and having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to the resistor terminal; a first capacitor having a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal, the first capacitor terminal is coupled to: the first end of the second resistor via a first switch; and the ground terminal via a second switch; a second capacitor having a third capacitor terminal and a fourth capacitor terminal, the third capacitor terminal is coupled to: the first end of the second resistor via a third switch; the resistor terminal via a fourth switch; and the ground terminal via a fifth switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventor: Bradford Lawrence HUNTER
-
Publication number: 20210211137Abstract: A calibratable switched-capacitor voltage reference and an associated calibration method are described. The voltage reference includes dynamic diode elements providing diode voltages, input capacitor(s) for sampling input voltages, base-emitter capacitor(s) for sampling one diode voltage with respect to a ground, dynamically trimmable capacitor(s) for sampling the one diode voltage with respect to another diode voltage, and an operational amplifier coupled to the capacitors for providing reference voltage(s) based on the sampled input and diode voltages and on trims of the trimmable capacitor(s). The voltage reference can be configured as a first integrator of a modulator stage of a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Xiaopeng Li
-
Patent number: 11034573Abstract: A fuel dispensing system includes a fuel tank adapted to contain a quantity of fuel. A fuel dispenser in is fluid communication with the fuel tank via piping. A pump is operative to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser. A corrosive detection assembly operative to identify presence of a corrosive substance in the fuel is also provided. The corrosive detection assembly has at least one thermoelectric detector positioned to be in contact with fuel vapor in the fuel dispensing system, the thermoelectric detector producing a detector signal indicating presence of the corrosive substance. Electronics are in electrical communication with the thermoelectric detector, the electronics being operative to interpret the detector signal and produce an output if the corrosive substance is present. The at least one thermoelectric detector may comprises a plurality of thermoelectric detectors at different locations in the fuel dispensing system.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: VEEDER-ROOT COMPANYInventors: James T. Bevins, Donald Kunz, Lawrence Hunter, Kenneth D. Cornett, Adriano Baglioni, Gaston Berrio
-
Patent number: 11018517Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a battery, a battery pack output voltage path that includes a charge power switch and a discharge power switch, and a battery sense output. A switch can be operably coupled between the battery and the battery sense output and configured to selectively open and close a battery sense path between the battery and the battery sense output. By one approach a first control circuit controls the open and close state of the aforementioned switch (in response, for example, to a comparison of the voltage differential across the switch to a predetermined threshold such that the switch is opened when the voltage differential across the switch becomes too positive or too negative with respect to battery voltage).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Wan Laan Jackie Hui
-
Patent number: 10958285Abstract: A calibratable switched-capacitor voltage reference and an associated calibration method are described. The voltage reference includes dynamic diode elements providing diode voltages, input capacitor(s) for sampling input voltages, base-emitter capacitor(s) for sampling one diode voltage with respect to a ground, dynamically trimmable capacitor(s) for sampling the one diode voltage with respect to another diode voltage, and an operational amplifier coupled to the capacitors for providing reference voltage(s) based on the sampled input and diode voltages and on trims of the trimmable capacitor(s). The voltage reference can be configured as a first integrator of a modulator stage of a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Xiaopeng Li
-
Publication number: 20200373940Abstract: A calibratable switched-capacitor voltage reference and an associated calibration method are described. The voltage reference includes dynamic diode elements providing diode voltages, input capacitor(s) for sampling input voltages, base-emitter capacitor(s) for sampling one diode voltage with respect to a ground, dynamically trimmable capacitor(s) for sampling the one diode voltage with respect to another diode voltage, and an operational amplifier coupled to the capacitors for providing reference voltage(s) based on the sampled input and diode voltages and on trims of the trimmable capacitor(s). The voltage reference can be configured as a first integrator of a modulator stage of a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: BRADFORD LAWRENCE HUNTER, XIAOPENG LI
-
Patent number: 10826477Abstract: A monitoring circuit is implemented for comparing a sampled voltage taken from a selected sampling capacitor and a reference voltage from a voltage buffer (150). The voltage buffer (150) is configurable according to programming provided to a programmable logic controller, PLC, (570). Comparisons may be made on a periodic basis, such as a time-division multiplexed basis, in connection with register settings in the PLC (570).Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Timothy F. Murphy
-
Patent number: 10784849Abstract: An energy storage element control circuit includes a charge transistor having a first node adapted to be coupled to an output node of the energy storage element control circuit and a second node adapted to be coupled to a terminal of an energy storage element. The energy storage control circuit also includes a boot capacitor having a first node and a second node. The energy storage element further includes a comparator that includes a first input node coupled to the first node of the charge transistor and a second input node adapted to be coupled to the terminal of the energy storage element. The comparator also includes an output node.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Kenneth J. Maggio, Christopher Lee Betty
-
Publication number: 20200280307Abstract: An energy storage element control circuit includes a charge transistor having a first node adapted to be coupled to an output node of the energy storage element control circuit and a second node adapted to be coupled to a terminal of an energy storage element. The energy storage control circuit also includes a boot capacitor having a first node and a second node. The energy storage element further includes a comparator that includes a first input node coupled to the first node of the charge transistor and a second input node adapted to be coupled to the terminal of the energy storage element. The comparator also includes an output node.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: BRADFORD LAWRENCE HUNTER, KENNETH J. MAGGIO, CHRISTOPHER LEE BETTY
-
Publication number: 20200266813Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit comprising a switch coupled between a first node and a second node, a first transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal coupled to the second node, and a source terminal coupled to a ground terminal, a logic gate having a first input, a second input coupled to a third node, and an output coupled to the gate terminal of the first transistor, and a comparator having a first input coupled to the second node, a second input coupled to a fourth node, and an output coupled to the first input of the logic gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Bradford Lawrence HUNTER, Karthik NANDIMANDALAM VENKATA, Quanqing HU
-
Publication number: 20200195034Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a battery, a battery pack output voltage path that includes a charge power switch and a discharge power switch, and a battery sense output. A switch can be operably coupled between the battery and the battery sense output and configured to selectively open and close a battery sense path between the battery and the battery sense output. By one approach a first control circuit controls the open and close state of the aforementioned switch (in response, for example, to a comparison of the voltage differential across the switch to a predetermined threshold such that the switch is opened when the voltage differential across the switch becomes too positive or too negative with respect to battery voltage).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Wan Laan Jackie Hui
-
Patent number: 10608456Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a battery, a battery pack output voltage path that includes a charge power switch and a discharge power switch, and a battery sense output. A switch can be operably coupled between the battery and the battery sense output and configured to selectively open and close a battery sense path between the battery and the battery sense output. By one approach a first control circuit controls the open and close state of the aforementioned switch (in response, for example, to a comparison of the voltage differential across the switch to a predetermined threshold such that the switch is opened when the voltage differential across the switch becomes too positive or too negative with respect to battery voltage).Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Wan Laan Jackie Hui
-
Publication number: 20200059227Abstract: A monitoring circuit is implemented for comparing a sampled voltage taken from a selected sampling capacitor and a reference voltage from a voltage buffer (150). The voltage buffer (150) is configurable according to programming provided to a programmable logic controller, PLC, (570). Comparisons may be made on a periodic basis, such as a time-division multiplexed basis, in connection with register settings in the PLC (570).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Timothy F. Murphy
-
Publication number: 20190393707Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate control for a low-power battery state are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a charge pump coupled to a power terminal and a charge pump switch, the charge pump switch coupled to a discharging terminal; a power supply switch circuit coupled to the power terminal and the discharging terminal, the power supply switch circuit being connected to bypass the charge pump and the charge pump switch; and a switch controller coupled to the charge pump switch and the power supply switch circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Bradford Lawrence Hunter, Terry Lee Sculley