Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Cook

Thomas D. Cook 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).

  • Publication number: 20090097285
    Abstract: A charge-based voltage multiplier device comprising a charge-pump circuit and a charge-pump controller is provided. The charge-pump circuit is configured to multiply an input voltage signal (Vin) into an output voltage signal (Vout), the charge-pump circuit includes a plurality of charge-pump stages, wherein at least one of the charge-pump stages includes a weighted capacitor array of pump cells. The charge-pump controller is configured to provide a pump cell select to selectively control the weighted capacitor array of pump cells of the at least one of the charge-pump stages of the charge-pump circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas D. Cook, Tahmina Akhter, Jeffrey C. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20090039942
    Abstract: A level converter comprises first and second latches, and first through fourth transistors. The first latch has first and second power supply terminals, and first and second nodes. The second latch has third and fourth power supply terminals, and third and fourth nodes. The first transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the first node, a control electrode coupled to receive a first bias voltage, and a second current electrode. The second transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the second current electrode of the first transistor, a second current electrode coupled to the third node, and a control electrode coupled to receive a second bias voltage. The third transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the second node, a control electrode coupled to receive the first bias voltage, and a second current electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas D. Cook, Tahmina Akhter, Jeffrey C. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5594649
    Abstract: An engine knock control system that can be digitally reconfigured to operate in different knock signal processing modes. The system includes a knock detection circuit that processes an incoming knock signal produced by a vibration or pressure sensor on the engine. The circuit includes a plurality of circuit devices that are capable of being interconnected in different circuit topology configurations to thereby process the knock signal in a selected one of a plurality of different modes. The circuit includes hardware and software for forming a selected interconnection configuration of the circuit devices in response to a coded data signal input to the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Cook, Manuel R. Fairchild, Kenneth D. Mowery, Jeffrey R. Scott
  • Patent number: 5552648
    Abstract: A switched capacitor (12) providing an effective resistance having a relatively long time constant. The switched capacitor (12) includes a technique for switching an input switch (14) associated with the capacitor (12) between a first input potential and a second input potential where the second input potential is proportional to the first input potential. In one specific implementation, the capacitor is a primary capacitor (30) having a three position input switch (46) that is switchable between a ground contact (48), an intermediate contact (42) and the input potential, and a three position output switch (50) that is switchable between a first ground contact (56), a second ground contact (54) and an output potential. A secondary capacitor (32) includes a two position input switch (34) that is switchable between the input voltage and a ground contact (38), and an output switch (40) that is switchable between a ground contact (44) and the intermediate contact (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Cook, Eugene R. Bukowski Jr., Vicki J. Voorhis
  • Patent number: 5459398
    Abstract: An adaptive threshold circuit for use with a magnetic type of sensor that has a pick-up coil. The pick-up coil has an alternating voltage induced therein when a slot formed in a wheel rotates past the sensor. The circuit produces a square wave pulse voltage during positive half-cycles of the voltage generated in the pick-up coil. The circuit includes a digital to analog converter the input of which is connected to a pulse counter. The output of the converter is a function of the count magnitude in the counter and provides a variable threshold voltage that is compared by a voltage comparator with a voltage that is a function of the magnitude of the voltage generated in the pick-up coil. The circuit has an input circuit connected to the pick-up coil that includes a voltage attenuating circuit and a diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Mark C. Hansen, Roger D. Allison, Thomas D. Cook, Walter K. Kosiak
  • Patent number: 4749955
    Abstract: A low voltage comparator circuit including a differential amplifier circuit, a double-ended to single-ended conversion circuit, and an inverting amplifier circuit is disclosed. The differential amplifier circuit consists of two identical current paths, each having one upper and one lower MOSFET device connected together in series between supply voltage and ground. Each of two input voltages is applied directly to the gate of the upper MOSFET device in one current path and is also coupled, after being inverted, to the gate of the lower MOSFET device in the opposite current path, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas D. Cook