Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Block

Thomas G. Block 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: 9548666
    Abstract: A circuit for use in a switched mode power supply comprising includes an integrated circuit, a transformer, a capacitor, a low voltage circuit and a current limiting resistor. The IC jitters the switching frequency of the switch based on a bias voltage of the integrated circuit. The IC also includes a current source configured to supply current for operation of the switching regulator when insufficient current is available from the bias input pin. The transformer includes primary, secondary and auxiliary windings. The primary winding receives a rectified line voltage and is coupled to the switch. The capacitor is coupled between the bias input pin and ground. The low voltage circuit is coupled to the auxiliary winding, and provides current to the bias input pin. The current limiting resistor limits current produced by the low voltage circuit to less than that required for operation of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Block, Matt E. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20150138838
    Abstract: A circuit for use in a switched mode power supply comprising includes an integrated circuit, a transformer, a capacitor, a low voltage circuit and a current limiting resistor. The IC jitters the switching frequency of the switch based on a bias voltage of the integrated circuit. The IC also includes a current source configured to supply current for operation of the switching regulator when insufficient current is available from the bias input pin. The transformer includes primary, secondary and auxiliary windings. The primary winding receives a rectified line voltage and is coupled to the switch. The capacitor is coupled between the bias input pin and ground. The low voltage circuit is coupled to the auxiliary winding, and provides current to the bias input pin. The current limiting resistor limits current produced by the low voltage circuit to less than that required for operation of the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Block, Matt E. Kraus
  • Patent number: 5359661
    Abstract: An AM stereo receiver in which a synchronous in-phase signal is determined comprises a low pass filter circuit for determining an average DC value of the synchronous in-phase signal, a reference voltage supply for providing a reference voltage indicative of a predetermined portion of the DC value of the synchronous in-phase signal occurring during a 100% IF signal level condition, a comparison circuit for comparing the average DC value of the synchronous in-phase signal to the predetermined reference, and an output circuit outputting a signal indicative of an out-of-lock condition when the average DC value of the synchronous in-phase signal falls below the predetermined reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Manlove, Detlef Griessman, Richard A. Kennedy, Thomas G. Block
  • Patent number: 5341431
    Abstract: A synchronous AM detector and processor requiring a reduced number of external components and fewer integrated circuit pins comprises an audio processor having a first filter operation controlled by a control voltage and an AM stereo decoder including a lock detector and a phase locked loop having a second filter operation controlled by the control voltage. A single control node is coupled to the audio processor and the phase locked loop, the control node providing the control voltage for the audio processor and the phase locked loop. The voltage at the control node is biased normally high, capable of being pulled low by the audio processing circuit and capable of being pulled low by the lock detector. An RC circuit decays the rise time of the control voltage at the control node after the control voltage has been pulled low. Circuitry is added to control the first filter operation of the audio processing circuitry responsive to the control voltage at the control node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Detlef Griessman, Gregory J. Manlove, Thomas G. Block, Gordon P. Howlett