Patents by Inventor Merle J. Wood

Merle J. Wood 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: 11431186
    Abstract: A method may include, in a management controller of an information handling system including a power system configured to provide electrical energy to information handling resources of the information handling system, the power system having a direct-current input power source, a rechargeable energy storage device coupled to and rechargeable from the direct-current input power source, and a charger configured to control recharging of the rechargeable energy storage device from the direct-current input power source: retrieving parameters from one or more registers associated with the rechargeable energy storage device, the parameters including a desired voltage across terminals of the rechargeable energy storage device and a desired current for recharging the rechargeable energy storage device during a constant current mode of a charging cycle of the rechargeable energy storage device and communicating the parameters to the charger such that the charger controls recharging of the rechargeable energy storage de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Chin-Jui Liu, Merle J. Wood, Adolfo S. Montero, Yu-Chi Chin
  • Patent number: 11347290
    Abstract: Power monitor information in an information handling system may be adjusted based on a battery voltage to account for a battery discharge state. The power monitor information may be scaled higher when the battery voltage is low to encourage the system to throttle and decrease power consumption. This adjustment increases the likelihood that the battery remains within safe operating limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Christian L. Critz, Chin-Jui Liu
  • Patent number: 11329495
    Abstract: A power adaptor for an information handling system may provide a higher power output level by monitoring a temperature inside a transformer of the power adaptor. When the transformer temperature is below a threshold below a rated temperature, the power adaptor may be allowed to operate at high power output levels. For example, a power adaptor rated for 45 Watts at 100 degrees Celsius may be allowed to operate at 65 Watts at 70 degrees Celsius. A feedback circuit may use transformer temperature information to determine when a power output level of the power adaptor may be adjusted to a higher level and then reconfigure the power adaptor to operate at the higher power output level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Yu, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Merle J. Wood, III, WenYung Chang, Geroncio Tan
  • Publication number: 20210336466
    Abstract: A method may include, in a management controller of an information handling system including a power system configured to provide electrical energy to information handling resources of the information handling system, the power system having a direct-current input power source, a rechargeable energy storage device coupled to and rechargeable from the direct-current input power source, and a charger configured to control recharging of the rechargeable energy storage device from the direct-current input power source: retrieving parameters from one or more registers associated with the rechargeable energy storage device, the parameters including a desired voltage across terminals of the rechargeable energy storage device and a desired current for recharging the rechargeable energy storage device during a constant current mode of a charging cycle of the rechargeable energy storage device and communicating the parameters to the charger such that the charger controls recharging of the rechargeable energy storage de
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Chin-Jui LIU, Merle J. WOOD, Adolfo S. MONTERO, Yu-Chi CHIN
  • Patent number: 11099629
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) includes a source load switch connected to a power management circuit, and a port for connection of a device. The IHS detects attachment of the device to the port, and determines whether the device is a current sink. When the device is a current sink, the IHS sets the peak processor power level to a reduced level, determines detachment of the device, and in response to determining detachment of the device, restores a maximum peak processor power level. When the device is not a current sink, the HIS starts charging, sets a dynamic peak processor power level to an AC+DC setting, determines detachment of the device, and in response to determining detachment of the device, sets the peak processor power level to a DC-only setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Merle J. Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak, Wei-Cheng (Jason) Yu, Tsung-Cheng (Anson) Liao
  • Publication number: 20210103330
    Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) includes a source load switch connected to a power management circuit, and a port for connection of a device. The IHS detects attachment of the device to the port, and determines whether the device is a current sink. When the device is a current sink, the IHS sets the peak processor power level to a reduced level, determines detachment of the device, and in response to determining detachment of the device, restores a maximum peak processor power level. When the device is not a current sink, the HIS starts charging, sets a dynamic peak processor power level to an AC+DC setting, determines detachment of the device, and in response to determining detachment of the device, sets the peak processor power level to a DC-only setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Merle J. Wood, III, Marcin M. Nowak, Wei-Cheng (Jason) Yu, Tsung-Cheng (Anson) Liao
  • Patent number: 10936034
    Abstract: An information handling system receives power from plural power sources by managing bi-directional power transfer at plural cable ports to maintain matched impedance across plural power sources. A power manager of an information handling system exchanges power characteristics with the plural power sources to coordinate power transfer in proportion to current capability of the power sources so that voltage droop at the different external power sources remains the same during variable power draws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed K. Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Patent number: 10802560
    Abstract: An information handling system with multiple power input ports, such as USB ports, capable of receiving power from external power supplies may control power received from the power supplies. A first controller may detect a first power supply coupled to a first power input port of the system and may allow power to flow from the external power supply to the system. Any additional power supplies detected by controllers may be blocked from providing power to the system while the first power supply is providing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed Hijazi, Geroncio O. Tan, Merle J. Wood, III, Marcin Nowak
  • Patent number: 10795421
    Abstract: An external device and an information handling system may be attached through a single port connection to provide bi-directional transfer or data and power through the port connection. The port connector may allow the information handling system to function as both a power source and a power sink. This allows the information handling system to provide power to certain external devices from an internal battery to avoid data corruption when power to an external device is unexpectedly lost. When AC power is restored to the external device, the information handling system may be reconfigured to not transmit power to the external device and to receive power from the external device to operate the information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Marcin Nowak
  • Publication number: 20200251923
    Abstract: A power adaptor for an information handling system may provide a higher power output level by monitoring a temperature inside a transformer of the power adaptor. When the transformer temperature is below a threshold below a rated temperature, the power adaptor may be allowed to operate at high power output levels. For example, a power adaptor rated for 45 Watts at 100 degrees Celsius may be allowed to operate at 65 Watts at 70 degrees Celsius. A feedback circuit may use transformer temperature information to determine when a power output level of the power adaptor may be adjusted to a higher level and then reconfigure the power adaptor to operate at the higher power output level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Yu, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Merle J. Wood, III, WenYung Chang, Geroncio Tan
  • Patent number: 10680432
    Abstract: Redundancy in over-voltage fault protection may be provided by controlling switches already present in a power path of a port for an information handling system. An external device coupled to a port may be decoupled from the system when an over-voltage condition is detected at another port of the information handling system. To decouple an external device upon detection of an over-voltage condition, a switch coupled to the port and the external device is turned off. A battery may also be decoupled from a port upon detection of an over-voltage condition at another port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Wei-Cheng Yu, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Geroncio O. Tan
  • Patent number: 10635148
    Abstract: An information handling system data port system includes plural data ports that support communication of data and power transfer with external devices, such as peripherals. A power transfer manager selectively establishes direct power transfer between data ports in support of power transfer between external devices, such as one external device acting as a power source and another external device acting as a power sink. The power transfer manager establishes direct power transfer with switches that bypass the information handling system power subsystem to provide improved power transfer efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Pelissier, Merle J. Wood, III, Lawrence E. Knepper, Karunakar P. Reddy
  • Patent number: 10539990
    Abstract: An information handling system may have multiple batteries and be powered by any one or combination of those batteries. The multiple batteries may be in different detachable portions of the system. When the portions are attached, a battery in one unit connects through multiple input paths to provide power to the other unit. Under a heavy loading condition, power may be drawn from a first battery while power from a second battery is routed to an external power input of the information handling system to supplement power drawn from the first battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Geroncio O. Tan, Mohammed Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Wei-Cheng Yu, Tsung-Cheng Liao
  • Patent number: 10483773
    Abstract: A portable information handling system power source has plural separate modules that removeably couple to each other to selectively provide external power from battery and AC power sources. A controller module includes logic to coordinate power transfer to and from an information handling system. An AC-to-DC adapter module couples to the controller module to provide power from an AC power source to the information handling system through the controller module, which coordinates power transfer with the information handling system. A battery power source module couples to the controller module to provide battery power, with the battery charged by power from either the information handling system or the AC-to-DC adapter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed K. Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Laurent A. Regimbal
  • Patent number: 10461560
    Abstract: A portable information handling system battery module has a self-contained housing having a battery charger, integrated rechargeable batteries and plural ports to transfer power, such as USB Type C ports having bi-directional power transfer capability. A cable couples first battery module port to a portable information handling system port to provide power to the portable information handling system and accept power from the portable information handling system. Plural additional battery modules daisy chain to the first battery module to accept power from and provide power to the portable information handling system. Power transfer is coordinated with communications through the ports, such as by a USB power transfer protocol supported at the information handling system and each battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed K. Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Matthew J. McGowan
  • Publication number: 20190324510
    Abstract: An information handling system with multiple power input ports, such as USB ports, capable of receiving power from external power supplies may control power received from the power supplies. A first controller may detect a first power supply coupled to a first power input port of the system and may allow power to flow from the external power supply to the system. Any additional power supplies detected by controllers may be blocked from providing power to the system while the first power supply is providing power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Mohammed Hijazi, Geroncio O. Tan, Merle J. Wood, III, Marcin Nowak
  • Patent number: 10429917
    Abstract: Operating parameters for an information handling system may be calculated based on known and desired power consumption to quickly limit the power consumption to a desired level. When the operating parameters are calculated the amount of time wasted transitioning from one power level to another power level may be reduced. A controller for the information handling system may determining that a current drawn from a power supply exceeds a threshold level for longer than a threshold duration, calculate a throttle rate for the processor based on the current drawn from the power supply and a target current level, and control the processor to operate based on the throttle rate to reduce the current drawn from the power supply to the target current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Adolfo S. Montero, Merle J. Wood, III
  • Publication number: 20190258303
    Abstract: An information handling system receives power from plural power sources by managing bi-directional power transfer at plural cable ports to maintain matched impedance across plural power sources. A power manager of an information handling system exchanges power characteristics with the plural power sources to coordinate power transfer in proportion to current capability of the power sources so that voltage droop at the different external power sources remains the same during variable power draws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed K. Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Patent number: 10372181
    Abstract: An information handling system receives power from plural power sources by managing bi-directional power transfer at plural cable ports to maintain matched impedance across plural power sources. A power manager of an information handling system exchanges power characteristics with the plural power sources to coordinate power transfer in proportion to current capability of the power sources so that voltage droop at the different external power sources remains the same during variable power draws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Mohammed K. Hijazi, Merle J. Wood, III, Adolfo S. Montero
  • Patent number: 10346333
    Abstract: A system and method for performing an intelligent power dongle operation for information handling systems having a serial bus power connection such as a USB type-C power connection. In certain embodiments, the intelligent power dongle includes hardware and firmware to read a legacy adapter PSID information and convert the information to serial information such as USB Type-C baseboard management controller BMC compliant data. In certain embodiments the intelligent power dongle includes power management circuitry the allow selection and proper switching between a low voltage power mode (e.g., a 5V power mode) and a higher voltage power mode (e.g., a 19.5V power mode) depending on a device attached to the intelligent power dongle. In certain embodiments, the intelligent power dongle may be used to power low voltage devices (e.g., devices powered by 5V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Merle J. Wood, III, Wei-Cheng Yu, Sean P. O'Neal, Thomas E. Voor, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Tun-Chieh Liang