Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Spiteri

Stephen M. Spiteri 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).

  • Self clearing power module
    Patent number: 11289997
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a power module, which may include an inverter circuit employing semiconductor switch dies. In the presence of a failure of a die, which may include an arc from a short, a sensor produces a signal responsive to the failure. The signal initiates an indirect fuse, such as a pyrotechnic element, that opens conductors associated with the die. For example, the die or a related die may be wire bonded to terminals of the module. The indirect element may therefore open the bonds to the terminals to isolate the failed die and/or related dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. White, Mark H. Sherwood, Stephen M. Spiteri, Zachary M. Rubin
  • Converter employing differing switch types in parallel
    Patent number: 11251622
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve an inverter employing switches of different types in parallel. In one example, an apparatus includes a voltage-source converter that may have a plurality of switch positions collectively coupled to convert an input to an output. At least one switch position may include a first switch of a first switch type and a second switch of a second switch type different from the first switch type. Also, the first and second switches may be coupled in parallel. The converter may also include a switch control circuit to generate, for each of the at least one of the switch positions, a first control signal to operate the first switch of the switch position, and a second control signal to operate the second switch of the switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Sherwood, Paul M. White, Dillon J. Thomasson, Zachary M. Rubin, Stephen M. Spiteri, Javier Ruiz
  • Self clearing power module
    Patent number: 10693363
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a power module, which may include an inverter circuit employing semiconductor switch dies. In the presence of a failure of a die, which may include an arc from a short, a sensor produces a signal responsive to the failure. The signal initiates an indirect fuse, such as a pyrotechnic element, that opens conductors associated with the die. For example, the die or a related die may be wire bonded to terminals of the module. The indirect element may therefore open the bonds to the terminals to isolate the failed die and/or related dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventors: Paul M. White, Mark H. Sherwood, Stephen M. Spiteri, Zachary M. Rubin
  • Distributed control pole clamp circuit for gate driver
    Patent number: 10148266
    Abstract: A switching circuit for controlling supply of electrical power from a power pole input to a power pole output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. White, Stephen M. Spiteri, Thomas L. Smith