Patents by Inventor Richard W. Clutter

Richard W. Clutter 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).

  • Protective circuitry controls power supply enablement
    Patent number: 8804292
    Abstract: A protective circuit compares at least two different signals and asserts a control node toward respective logic states accordingly. At least one of the signals is derived from a voltage on a power rail within a computer or other device. A switching element passes or isolates an enable signal based on the logic state of the control node, enabling or preventing operation of a power supply, accordingly. Central processing units (CPUs) or other elements are protected against electrically caused damage in the event that a fault is detected by the protective circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert S Wright, Nam Nguyen, Richard W Clutter
  • Apparatus and methods for limiting surges in load current
    Patent number: 8760833
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to limiting surge current are provided. An under-voltage condition on a node is sensed and respective signals are provided in response. The under-voltage condition correlates to a surge in load current drawn from the node. A foldback signal is provided to a power controller to adjust the voltage on the node. The foldback signal is nullified when the surge current condition has been curtailed. Printers, computers and other apparatus can include surge current-limiting accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert S Wright, Nam Nguyen, Richard W Clutter
  • PROTECTIVE CIRCUITRY CONTROLS POWER SUPPLY ENABLEMENT
    Publication number: 20140016237
    Abstract: A protective circuit compares at least two different signals and asserts a control node toward respective logic states accordingly. At least one of the signals is derived from a voltage on a power rail within a computer or other device. A switching element passes or isolates an enable signal based on the logic state of the control node, enabling or preventing operation of a power supply, accordingly. Central processing units (CPUs) or other elements are protected against electrically caused damage in the event that a fault is detected by the protective circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Robert S. Wright, Nam Nguyen, Richard W. Clutter
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR LIMITING SURGES IN LOAD CURRENT
    Publication number: 20130208384
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to limiting surge current are provided. An under-voltage condition on a node is sensed and respective signals are provided in response. The under-voltage condition correlates to a surge in load current drawn from the node. A foldback signal is provided to a power controller to adjust the voltage on the node. The foldback signal is nullified when the surge current condition has been curtailed. Printers, computers and other apparatus can include surge current-limiting accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Robert S. Wright, Nam Nguyen, Richard W. Clutter