SEGMENTED WINDING TECHNIQUES FOR A COUPLED INDUCTOR CIRCUIT

• US 20200135390A1
• Filed: 10/24/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Linear Technology Holding, LLC (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Paolucci, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 11,195,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2021/125 Printed variable inductor with taps, e.g. for VCO
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/026 non-linear inductive arrangements for converters, e.g. with additional windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 21/12 discontinuously variable, e.g. tapped
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/29 Terminals; Tapping arrangements for signal inductances
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/023 of inductances
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/335 using semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33573 Full-bridge at primary side of an isolation transformer

Abstract

Techniques are provided for segmented windings of a coupled inductor within a DC-DC voltage converter or regulator. In an example, a coupled inductor circuit can include a first winding comprising a conductive coil having a central axis, and a second winding configured to magnetically couple with the first winding. The second winding can have a plurality of individual segments. Each individual segment can form a fraction of one turn of the second winding. Each segment can include a first conductor, a ground conductor, and a first switch to selectively couple, and selectively isolate, the first conductor and the ground conductor.

Claims

1. A coupled inductor circuit comprising;

a first winding comprising a conductive coil having a central axis;

a second winding configured to magnetically couple with the first winding, the second winding having a plurality of individual segments, wherein each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments forms a fraction of one turn of the second winding; and

wherein the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding includes a first conductor, a ground conductor, and a first switch to selectively couple, and selectively isolate, the first conductor and the ground conductor.

2. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 1, wherein the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding includes a second switch configured to selectively couple, and selectively isolate, the first conductor and a second ground conductor, wherein the second ground conductor is the ground conductor of a different individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding.

3. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 1, including a controller circuit configured to selectively couple a direct current supply to the first winding to induce current in the second winding, and to control the first switch and the second switch of the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding to provide a DC output voltage.

4. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 1, wherein the first winding is a planar winding.

5. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 4, including a multiple layer substrate;

wherein one or more first layers of the multiple layer substrate includes the first winding; and

wherein one or more second layers of the multiple layer substrate include the second winding.

6. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 5, wherein the one or more first layers are positioned between two layers of the one or more second layers.

7. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 1, wherein the second winding is a planar winding.

8. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 1, including a metal core.

9. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 8, wherein the metal core includes a number of openings;

and

wherein the first conductor of the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding passes through an opening of the number of openings of the metal core.

10. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 1, wherein the first winding includes N coils around the central axis;

and

wherein the second winding includes m coils around the central axis;

wherein the second winding includes x segments in each of the m coils; and

wherein a ratio of an input voltage (Vin), selectively coupled to the first winding, and an output voltage (Vout) induced on each segment of the second winding is given by;

Vin/Vout=N*m.

11. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to:

during a first stage, couple a first node of each first conductor of the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding to the ground conductor;

during the first stage, isolate a second node of the each first conductor the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding from the ground conductor; and

during the first stage, apply an input voltage having to the first winding with a first polarity.

12. The coupled inductor circuit of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to:

during a second stage, couple the second node of the each first conductor of the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding to a ground conductor of an adjacent segment;

during the second stage, isolate the first node of the each first conductor of the each individual segment of the plurality of individual segments of the second winding from the ground conductor; and

during the second stage, apply the input voltage to the first winding with a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

13. A method of controlling a DC-DC coupled inductor circuit, the method comprising:

electrically coupling a first end of a first segment of a first turn of a first winding to ground, the first segment coupled in parallel with a second segment of the first turn of the first winding, the first winding including one or more turns, each turn including multiple turn segments to form each turn, the one or more turns including the first turn;

electrically isolating a second end of the first segment from ground;

electrically coupling a supply voltage (VIN) across a second winding with a first polarity, the second winding magnetically coupled to the first segment; and

inducing an output voltage at the first end using a change of current of the second winding, the output voltage based on a fraction of the first turn represented by a path of the first segment.

14. The method of claim 13, including, after a first delay, isolating the first end of the first segment from ground;

and

isolating the supply voltage from the second winding.

15. The method of claim 14, including, after a second delay, isolating the second end of the first segment of the first turn of the first winding from ground;

coupling the first end of the first segment with ground;

coupling the supply voltage to the second winding with a second polarity; and

inducing the output voltage at the second end using a change of current of the second winding, the output voltage based on a fraction of the first turn represented by a path of the first segment.

16. The method of claim 15, including after a third delay, coupling the second end of the first segment with ground;

and

electrically isolating the supply voltage from the second winding.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the coupling the first end of the first segment of a first turn of a first winding includes coupling a first end of a second segment of the first winding to ground.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second segment is directly coupled in parallel with the first segment.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second segment is a second segment of the first turn of the first winding and is selectively coupled to the first segment.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the second segment includes a plurality of segments directly coupled in parallel with the first segment.