Patents by Inventor Michael A. Steffes

Michael A. Steffes 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: 6724260
    Abstract: A low power current feedback amplifier having a lower output impedance input stage is provided. To reduce the output impedance, an input stage comprises a closed-loop input buffer. An exemplary input buffer comprises a closed-loop current feedback amplifier configured within the overall current feedback amplifier, wherein the output of the input buffer corresponds to the inverting node of the overall current feedback amplifier. The closed-loop configuration of the input buffer is facilitated by the use of an internal feedback resistor coupled from an inverting input terminal of the input buffer to the output of the input buffer, which corresponds to the inverting input terminal of the overall current feedback amplifier. The closed-loop input buffer realizes a low output impedance since the loop gain reduces the output impedance of the input buffer. With a lower output impedance, the bandwidth of the current feedback amplifier becomes more independent of the gain, even at low current implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan Lee Varner, Ahmad Dashtestani, Joel M. Halbert, Michael A. Steffes
  • Publication number: 20030184386
    Abstract: A low power current feedback amplifier having a lower output impedance input stage is provided. To reduce the output impedance, an input stage comprises a closed-loop input buffer. An exemplary input buffer comprises a closed-loop current feedback amplifier configured within the overall current feedback amplifier, wherein the output of the input buffer corresponds to the inverting node of the overall current feedback amplifier. The closed-loop configuration of the input buffer is facilitated by the use of an internal feedback resistor coupled from an inverting input terminal of the input buffer to the output of the input buffer, which corresponds to the inverting input terminal of the overall current feedback amplifier. The closed-loop input buffer realizes a low output impedance since the loop gain reduces the output impedance of the input buffer. With a lower output impedance, the bandwidth of the current feedback amplifier becomes more independent of the gain, even at low current implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan L. Varner, Ahmad Dashtestani, Joel M. Halbert, Michael A. Steffes
  • Patent number: 6568300
    Abstract: An adjustable wrench has a ratcheting feature by which its movable jaw retracts away from its fixed jaw when the handle is pulled in one direction, enabling the wrench to slip over the facets of a polygon-shaped nut, but which locks the jaws in position when the wrench handle is turned in the opposite direction. A jaw adjustment screw is positioned for rotation in the wrench head and is axially movable with the lower jaw, but only when a support wedge is slidingly retracted out from its normal position supporting the bottom end of the adjustment screw. The tool can have a ruled edge adjacent to the jaw for indicating jaw opening size. Another feature is a slidable fence device on the fixed jaw, to be moved slidably over a face of the nut when the wrench is in place, providing a stop against sliding of the wrench off the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Steffe
  • Patent number: 6530298
    Abstract: An adjustable wrench has a ratcheting feature by which its movable jaw retracts away from its fixed jaw when the handle is pulled in one direction, enabling the wrench to slip over the facets of a polygon-shaped nut, but which locks the jaws in position when the wrench handle is turned in the opposite direction. A jaw adjustment screw is positioned for rotation in the wrench head and is axially movable with the lower jaw, but only when a support wedge is slidingly retracted out from its normal position supporting the bottom end of the adjustment screw. The tool can have a ruled edge adjacent to the jaw for indicating jaw opening size. Another feature is a slidable fence device on the fixed jaw, to be moved slidably over a face of the nut when the wrench is in place, providing a stop against sliding of the wrench off the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Steffe
  • Patent number: 4757275
    Abstract: A wideband closed loop amplifier is described which has improved accuracy over prior amplifiers. The closed loop amplifier includes (a) first and second differential amplifiers, (b) floating bias means connected between the output terminals of the first and second differential amplifiers, (c) an output stage including first and second output transistors; and (d) first and second bias sources connected to the collector terminals of the respective output transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Comlinear Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Saller, Michael A. Steffes
  • Patent number: 4408231
    Abstract: A linear image sensor and the video channel associated with the sensor are calibrated to maximize the video signal available. The sensor is limited in output by saturation of the CCD analog shift registers in the sensor. The channel is limited by the range of the analog-to-digital converter in the channel. The useable video signal is maximized by calibrating the sensor relative to its saturation condition and by adjusting the gain of the video channel relative to the range of the analog-to-digital converter. The sensor is calibrated by adjusting its exposure to illumination. The adjustment may be made by adjusting the illumination source or by changing the sampling interval for the sensor. The gain is adjusted by using a variable gain amplifier. A microprocessor monitors the digitized video signal and controls the exposure and gain to calibrate the sensor and channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bushaw, Ronald D. Gillingham, Gary W. Jorgenson, Clyde L. Manning, Michael A. Steffes