Patents by Inventor Matthew D. Thompson

Matthew D. Thompson 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).

  • Slew-rate control apparatus and methods for a power transistor to reduce voltage transients during inductive flyback
    Patent number: 7365584
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods that reduce the amount of conducted/radiated emissions from a power switch (200) when a transistor (210) is switched OFF are disclosed. In addition, apparatus and methods that reduce the slew rate in a power switch when the power switch is switched off are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transistor (210) including an inductive load (230) coupled to the transistor, a plurality of current sources (222, 224) coupled to the gate of the transistor, and a clamp (250) coupled to either the gate and the drain of the transistor, or to the gate and to ground depending on the location of the inductive load, wherein the clamp comprises a resistive element (260) to increase the voltage of the clamp when current flows through the clamp, and wherein the increased voltage causes the apparatus to include a different slew rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Bennett, Randall C. Gray, Matthew D. Thompson
  • Slew-rate control apparatus and methods for a power transistor to reduce voltage transients during inductive flyback
    Publication number: 20070279106
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods that reduce the amount of conducted/radiated emissions from a power switch (200) when a transistor (210) is switched OFF are disclosed. In addition, apparatus and methods that reduce the slew rate in a power switch when the power switch is switched off are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a transistor (210) including an inductive load (230) coupled to the transistor, a plurality of current sources (222, 224) coupled to the gate of the transistor, and a clamp (250) coupled to either the gate and the drain of the transistor, or to the gate and to ground depending on the location of the inductive load, wherein the clamp comprises a resistive element (260) to increase the voltage of the clamp when current flows through the clamp, and wherein the increased voltage causes the apparatus to include a different slew rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Paul T. Bennett, Randall C. Gray, Matthew D. Thompson