Patents by Inventor Patrick K. Egan

Patrick K. Egan 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: 11196285
    Abstract: Operating a redundant power supply regulator using a transition control signal including supplying an operating voltage through an ORing in the redundant power supply regulator, wherein the ORing is connected to a comparator configured to turn off the ORing in response to detecting a fault; receiving the transition control signal indicating that the redundant power supply regulator is transitioning to a reduced voltage, wherein the reduced voltage is less than the operating voltage; receiving the reduced voltage by the ORing; and supplying the reduced voltage through the ORing by using the transition control signal to prevent the comparator from turning off the ORing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael L. Miller, Patrick K. Egan
  • Publication number: 20210152014
    Abstract: Operating a redundant power supply regulator using a transition control signal including supplying an operating voltage through an ORing in the redundant power supply regulator, wherein the ORing is connected to a comparator configured to turn off the ORing in response to detecting a fault; receiving the transition control signal indicating that the redundant power supply regulator is transitioning to a reduced voltage, wherein the reduced voltage is less than the operating voltage; receiving the reduced voltage by the ORing; and supplying the reduced voltage through the ORing by using the transition control signal to prevent the comparator from turning off the ORing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL L. MILLER, PATRICK K. EGAN
  • Patent number: 10833592
    Abstract: Switching between a dual switch topology and a bridge forward topology in a power converter includes: receiving an input voltage; providing, via the dual switch topology, an output voltage; determining that the input voltage falls below a first threshold; switching a path of the input voltage from the dual switch topology to the bridge forward topology; and providing, via the bridge forward topology, the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Miller, Patrick K. Egan
  • Publication number: 20200177088
    Abstract: Switching between a dual switch topology and a bridge forward topology in a power converter includes: receiving an input voltage; providing, via the dual switch topology, an output voltage; determining that the input voltage falls below a first threshold; switching a path of the input voltage from the dual switch topology to the bridge forward topology; and providing, via the bridge forward topology, the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: MICHAEL L. MILLER, PATRICK K. EGAN
  • Patent number: 10595422
    Abstract: A tamper resistant device comprises an internal component, such as an electronic device, and a latent battery that is connected to the internal component. An activator material is separated from the latent battery by a rupturable barrier that is adapted to rupture, shatter, or otherwise degrade in response to a stimulus associated with a physical tampering event. The activator material is a material that causes the latent battery to output electrical power when in contact with the latent battery. In some examples, the electrical power provided when the activator material contacts the latent battery is used to trigger a security response which can include transmission of an alarm signal and/or erasure of data stored by the internal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah K. Czaplewski, Patrick K. Egan, Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Patent number: 10491129
    Abstract: Switching between a dual switch topology and a bridge forward topology in a power converter includes: receiving an input voltage; providing, via the dual switch topology, an output voltage; determining that the input voltage falls below a first threshold; switching a path of the input voltage from the dual switch topology to the bridge forward topology; and providing, via the bridge forward topology, the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Miller, Patrick K. Egan
  • Patent number: 10340785
    Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for implementing voltage sense point switching for regulators. A regulator voltage sensing circuit includes at least two sense points enabling a regulator to compensate for voltage drop at the sense points and providing at least one of the sense points at a location to be switched. Switched loads have gains at the sense points to compensate for the voltage drop in a transistor switch at maximum load. A non-switched output is sensed and functions as an over-voltage protection to limit the transistor switch voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Layne A. Berge, Patrick K. Egan
  • Publication number: 20180358892
    Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for implementing voltage sense point switching for regulators. A regulator voltage sensing circuit includes at least two sense points enabling a regulator to compensate for voltage drop at the sense points and providing at least one of the sense points at a location to be switched. Switched loads have gains at the sense points to compensate for the voltage drop in a transistor switch at maximum load. A non-switched output is sensed and functions as an over-voltage protection to limit the transistor switch voltage drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Layne A. Berge, Patrick K. Egan
  • Patent number: 10110116
    Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for implementing voltage sense point switching for regulators. A regulator voltage sensing circuit includes at least two sense points enabling a regulator to compensate for voltage drop at the sense points and providing at least one of the sense points at a location to be switched. Switched loads have gains at the sense points to compensate for the voltage drop in a transistor switch at maximum load. A non-switched output is sensed and functions as an over-voltage protection to limit the transistor switch voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Layne A. Berge, Patrick K. Egan
  • Publication number: 20180116060
    Abstract: A tamper resistant device comprises an internal component, such as an electronic device, and a latent battery that is connected to the internal component. An activator material is separated from the latent battery by a rupturable barrier that is adapted to rupture, shatter, or otherwise degrade in response to a stimulus associated with a physical tampering event. The activator material is a material that causes the latent battery to output electrical power when in contact with the latent battery. In some examples, the electrical power provided when the activator material contacts the latent battery is used to trigger a security response which can include transmission of an alarm signal and/or erasure of data stored by the internal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Eric J. CAMPBELL, Sarah K. CZAPLEWSKI, Patrick K. EGAN, Joseph KUCZYNSKI, Timothy J. TOFIL
  • Patent number: 9268347
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing dynamic regulator output current limiting. An input power to the regulator is measured, and the measured input power is related to a regulator output current and a regulator over current trip point, and dynamically used for providing dynamic regulator output current limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin R. Covi, Patrick K. Egan, James D. Jordan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller, Guillermo J. Silva, Malcolm S. Allen-Ware
  • Publication number: 20140225586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing dynamic regulator output current limiting. An input power to the regulator is measured, and the measured input power is related to a regulator output current and a regulator over current trip point, and dynamically used for providing dynamic regulator output current limiting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin R. Covi, Patrick K. Egan, James D. Jordan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller, Guillermo J. Silva, Malcolm S. Allen-Ware
  • Patent number: 8742778
    Abstract: A system for testing the existing protection schemes of a power converter. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level below an under-voltage threshold. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level above an over-voltage threshold. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the input bus. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the output bus. The system measures the system responses to these simulations against responses of a properly operating system and determines if the power converter's protection schemes are operating correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Brian J. Hruby, Michael L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130181729
    Abstract: A system for testing the existing protection schemes of a power converter. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level below an under-voltage threshold. The system simulates the voltage regulator producing a voltage level above an over-voltage threshold. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the input bus. The system simulates a short in the power converter pulling down the output bus. The system measures the system responses to these simulations against responses of a properly operating system and determines if the power converter's protection schemes are operating correctly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Brian J. Hruby, Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8415935
    Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion having a first voltage regulator, a second voltage regulator, and a switching system. The first voltage regulation portion is connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion. The second voltage regulation portion regulates an input voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. The switching system forces the second voltage regulator to regulate the input voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130063109
    Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion having a first voltage regulator, a second voltage regulator, and a switching system. The first voltage regulation portion is connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion. The second voltage regulation portion regulates an input voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. The switching system forces the second voltage regulator to regulate the input voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8392729
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for oversubscribing branch circuits. An active energy management mechanism determines a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, the power consumption information is for a primary and a redundant portion of the powered element. The active energy management mechanism determines a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a loss of either a primary or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element. The active energy management mechanism sends the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Wesley M. Felter, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio, Malcolm S. Ware
  • Patent number: 8352757
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for oversubscribing branch circuits. An active energy management mechanism determines a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, the power consumption information is for a primary and a redundant portion of the powered element. The active energy management mechanism determines a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a loss of either a primary or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element. The active energy management mechanism sends the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Wesley M. Felter, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio, Malcolm S. Ware
  • Patent number: 8278888
    Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion that regulates a voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. Each voltage regulation portion may include a first voltage regulator connected in series with a second voltage regulator that regulates the voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator. Each voltage regulation portion may utilize a switching element to route an output voltage of the first voltage regulator past the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has been regulated and/or to force the output voltage to be regulated by the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has not been regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120233479
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for oversubscribing branch circuits. An active energy management mechanism determines a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, the power consumption information is for a primary and a redundant portion of the powered element. The active energy management mechanism determines a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a loss of either a primary or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element. The active energy management mechanism sends the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Wesley M. Felter, Karthick Rajamani, Juan C. Rubio, Malcolm S. Ware