Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Hack

Thomas P. Hack 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: 8754622
    Abstract: An automatic voltage compensation circuit in a voltage regulator compensates the output voltage for a voltage drop along lines leading to a remote load. A load capacitor is connected across the load for providing a low impedance across the load during a test phase of the regulator. In one embodiment, during the test phase, the load current is changed up or down a small percentage (e.g., 10%). As a result, the regulator voltage changes due only to the line resistance since the load is bypassed by the load capacitor. The voltage drop at full load current is then derived by detecting the change in regulator output voltage (a fractional voltage drop) and multiplying it. The normal mode is resumed, and the derived voltage drop is added to the regulator output by either compensating the feedback loop or by adding the voltage drop to the output of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Dobkin, Thomas P. Hack, Yuhui Chen
  • Publication number: 20110101937
    Abstract: An automatic voltage compensation circuit in a voltage regulator compensates the output voltage for a voltage drop along lines leading to a remote load. A load capacitor is connected across the load for providing a low impedance across the load during a test phase of the regulator. In one embodiment, during the test phase, the load current is changed up or down a small percentage (e.g., 10%). As a result, the regulator voltage changes due only to the line resistance since the load is bypassed by the load capacitor. The voltage drop at full load current is then derived by detecting the change in regulator output voltage (a fractional voltage drop) and multiplying it. The normal mode is resumed, and the derived voltage drop is added to the regulator output by either compensating the feedback loop or by adding the voltage drop to the output of the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Dobkin, Thomas P. Hack, Yuhui Chen
  • Patent number: 7782017
    Abstract: Apparatus is configured for producing an output signal indicating an operating status of a monitored circuit. An input signal relating to the monitored circuit is received at an input node. A pulse train generator, coupled to the input node, is configured for generating a pulse train of a prescribed repetition rate at a duty cycle alternated between first and second duty cycle values at a prescribed frequency. The duty cycle and frequency are indicative of operating status of the monitored circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hack, Robert C. Dobkin, Alfonso Centuori, Andrew Bishop
  • Patent number: 7538532
    Abstract: Bidirectional power conversion systems provide the ability to change power attributes to and from a component. Current bidirectional power conversion systems use a unidirectional power converter for each direction. The integration of the two normally independent power converters results in a bidirectional power converter with nearly half the size, weight, volume, cost and complexity. Described are embodiments of bidirectional power conversion systems that allow power transfer between two or more components without requiring the use of separate unidirectional power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hack, Robert C. Dobkin
  • Publication number: 20080164853
    Abstract: Bidirectional power conversion systems provide the ability to change power attributes to and from a component. Current bidirectional power conversion systems use a unidirectional power converter for each direction. The integration of the two normally independent power converters results in a bidirectional power converter with nearly half the size, weight, volume, cost and complexity. Described are embodiments of bidirectional power conversion systems that allow power transfer between two or more components without requiring the use of separate unidirectional power converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hack, Robert C. Dobkin
  • Patent number: 7348767
    Abstract: Bidirectional power conversion systems provide the ability to change power attributes to and from a component. Current bidirectional power conversion systems use a unidirectional power converter for each direction. The integration of the two normally independent power converters results in a bidirectional power converter with nearly half the size, weight, volume, cost and complexity. Described are embodiments of bidirectional power conversion systems that allow power transfer between two or more components without requiring the use of separate unidirectional power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P Hack, Robert C Dobkin
  • Publication number: 20070216380
    Abstract: Apparatus is configured for producing an output signal indicating an operating status of a monitored circuit. An input signal relating to the monitored circuit is received at an input node. A pulse train generator, coupled to the input node, is configured for generating a pulse train of a prescribed repetition rate at a duty cycle alternated between first and second duty cycle values at a prescribed frequency. The duty cycle and frequency are indicative of operating status of the monitored circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hack, Robert C. Dobkin, Alfonso Centuori, Andrew Bishop
  • Patent number: 6894461
    Abstract: Bidirectional power conversion systems provide the ability to change power attributes to and from a component. Current bidirectional power conversion systems use a unidirectional power converter for each direction. The integration of the two normally independent power converters results in a bidirectional power converter with nearly half the size, weight, volume, cost and complexity. Described are embodiments of bidirectional power conversion systems that allow power transfer between two or more components without requiring the use of separate unidirectional power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hack, Robert C. Dobkin