Patents by Inventor Steve Harrell

Steve Harrell 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: 9843204
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karthik Kadirvel, Steve Harrell, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan
  • Publication number: 20160164319
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Karthik Kadirvel, Steve Harrell, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan
  • Patent number: 9209632
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karthik Kadirvel, III, Steve Harrell, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan
  • Publication number: 20140029147
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods of direct cell attachment for battery cells disclosed herein operate without the protection FETs and the protection IC, thereby enabling the direct attachment of battery cells to the system without compromising safety. A charger IC comprises a switching regulator whose output is used to charge the battery through a pass device. In example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of direct cell attachment, a combination of switching FETs and the pass device are used as a protection device instead of the charge and discharge FETs. During normal operation, the pass device may be used to charge the battery using the traditional battery charging profile. Under fault condition, the switching FETs and pass device may be driven appropriately to protect the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karthik Kadirvel, III, Steve Harrell, Brian Lum-Shue-Chan