The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 21, 1995
Alan E Brown, Georgetown, TX (US);
Joseph D Mallory, Cedar Park, TX (US);
Joshua Titus, Austin, TX (US);
Joseph A Vivio, Austin, TX (US);
Dell USA, L.P., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
A power supply including a detection and switch system for sensing either a uni-plane or a split-plane device connected to a socket and for providing one or two supply voltages, respectively. In one embodiment, a dual output regulator includes first and second regulators with corresponding first and second feedback circuits and comparators for regulating first and second outputs, respectively. A switch circuit connects the second feedback circuit to the comparator of the second regulator in split-plane mode for providing the second output. However, the switch circuit connects the first feedback circuit to the comparator of the second regulator in uni-plane mode where the two outputs are coupled together by a uni-plane device, so that the two outputs are regulated at the same level. A detection circuit monitors the output signals and controls the switch circuit depending upon whether a uni-plane or split-plane device is detected. The detection circuit includes a comparator which compares the output voltages, which are the same if connected to a uni-plane device or separated by a predetermined amount if connected to a split-plane device. In one regulator embodiment, the outputs are compared after reaching regulation and in a second regulator embodiment, one regulator is momentarily disabled for making the comparison while either one or both outputs voltages are increasing. In another embodiment, two separate power supplies are included for providing separate voltage levels if a split-plane device is connected, where the second power supply is disconnected if a uni-plane device is connected.