Coupled inductor arrays and associated methods
First Claim
1. A coupled inductor array having length, width, and height, comprising:
- a monolithic magnetic core formed of one or more magnetic materials having a distributed gap, the monolithic magnetic core having opposing first and second sides separated from each other in a widthwise direction;
a first winding embedded in the monolithic magnetic core and having two opposing ends terminating at the first and second sides of the monolithic magnetic core, respectively, the first winding forming N first winding turns around respective winding axes extending in a height direction, each winding axis offset from each other winding axis in the widthwise direction, N being an integer greater than one; and
a second winding embedded in the monolithic magnetic core and having two opposing ends terminating at the first and second sides of the monolithic magnetic core, respectively, the second winding forming N second winding turns,each of the N first winding turns and each of the N second winding turns being fully embedded in the monolithic magnetic core,each of the N second winding turns overlapping with a respective one of the N first winding turns in the height direction, andthe N first winding turns and the N second winding turns being configured such that current of increasing magnitude flowing into the first winding at the first side of the monolithic magnetic core induces current of increasing magnitude flowing into the second winding at the first side of the monolithic magnetic core.
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Abstract
A coupled inductor array includes a monolithic magnetic core formed of magnetic materials having a distributed gap, first and second windings, and a low-permeability magnetic structure. The first and second windings form respective first and second winding turns around a common winding axis extending in the height direction. The low-permeability magnetic structure is embedded in the monolithic magnetic core and forms a loop around the common winding axis. The low-permeability magnetic structure separates the first and second winding turns in the height direction, and the low-permeability magnetic structure is formed of a magnetic material having a lower magnetic permeability than the one or more magnetic materials forming the monolithic magnetic core. One possible application of the coupled inductor array is in a multi-phase switching power converter.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A coupled inductor array having length, width, and height, comprising:
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a monolithic magnetic core formed of one or more magnetic materials having a distributed gap, the monolithic magnetic core having opposing first and second sides separated from each other in a widthwise direction; a first winding embedded in the monolithic magnetic core and having two opposing ends terminating at the first and second sides of the monolithic magnetic core, respectively, the first winding forming N first winding turns around respective winding axes extending in a height direction, each winding axis offset from each other winding axis in the widthwise direction, N being an integer greater than one; and a second winding embedded in the monolithic magnetic core and having two opposing ends terminating at the first and second sides of the monolithic magnetic core, respectively, the second winding forming N second winding turns, each of the N first winding turns and each of the N second winding turns being fully embedded in the monolithic magnetic core, each of the N second winding turns overlapping with a respective one of the N first winding turns in the height direction, and the N first winding turns and the N second winding turns being configured such that current of increasing magnitude flowing into the first winding at the first side of the monolithic magnetic core induces current of increasing magnitude flowing into the second winding at the first side of the monolithic magnetic core. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification