Power transformers and power inductors for low-frequency applications using isotropic material with high power-to-weight ratio

• US 6,879,237 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2000
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quebec Metal Powders Limited
• Original Assignee: Electrotechnologies Selem, Inc.
• Inventors: Cros, Jérôme, Viarouge, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, ANH T
• Application Number:
  US10/070,750
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: 336/229, 336/55, 336/212, 336/234, 148/304, 148/301, 148/302, 148/306
• US Class Current: 336/229
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 17/043 with two, usually identical or nearly identical parts enclosing completely the coil (pot cores)
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 17/06 with core substantially closed in itself, e.g. toroid
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/255 made from particles H01F27/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/346 Preventing or reducing leakage fields using magnetic shields H01F27/36; using auxiliary windings H01F27/38

Abstract

A transformer for low frequency applications of from 50 Hz to 1000 Hz is described. The transformer comprises a core having a cylindrical symmetry around a main revolution axis. The core is formed of a soft isotropic magnetic composite material composed of iron and resin. Windings are enclosed in the magnetic core and disposed about a central column of the magnetic core and magnetically coupled with the inductor for low frequency applications, DC to 1000 Hz of similar construction is also described, the inductor comprises a core having a cylindrical symmetry around a main revolution axis. The core is formed of a soft isotropic magnetic composite material composed of iron and resin. Winding is enclosed in the magnetic core and disposed about a central column of the magnetic core and magnetically coupled with the magnetic core. The core is formed by core sections.

Claims

1. A transformer for low frequency applications of from 50 Hz to 1000 Hz, said transformer comprising:

a core having a cylindrical symmetry around a main revolution axis, said core being formed of a soft isotropic magnetic material comprised of iron, said core including integral cooling fins comprising the soft isotropic magnetic material projecting from an external surface of said core; and

windings enclosed in said core and magnetically coupled with said core.

2. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said core is formed by core sections.

3. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fins are integrally formed with said core during pressing of said core in a single operation process.

4. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fins are machined in said core in a machining operation.

5. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fins are oriented in a direction of magnetic flux circulation of said core and in planes of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

6. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said core defines a winding window having a circular cross-section in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

7. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said core defines a winding window having an oval cross-section in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

8. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said core defines a winding window having a rectangular cross-section, with or without round corners in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

9. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said core defines a winding window having a trapezoidal cross-section, with or without round corners in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

10. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said core is provided with one or more slots placed in planes of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis to reduce eddy currents.

11. The transformer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a primary winding to connect said transformer directly to an AC power supply having a frequency in a range of 50 Hz to 1000 Hz; and

one or more secondary windings connected to a rectifier using diodes and/or thyristors and/or transistors.

12. The transformer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said transformer has a low level of audible noise when supplied with AC currents at low frequencies in a range of 50 Hz to 1000 Hz, and substantially no magnetically induced vibrations in said magnetic material thereby minimizing audible noise.

13. The transformer as claimed in claim 1, said transformer having a low level of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and a low external stray magnetic field.

14. The transformer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that when said transformer is connected to an AC power supply having a frequency of from 50 Hz to 1000 Hz, input currents present a low total harmonic distortion (THD).

15. The transformer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said transformer has small values of form factor (ratio between a height along said revolution axis and an external diameter of said core) when adapted to specific constraints of low profile applications.

33. A transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said soft isotropic magnetic material is a composite material comprised of iron and resin.

34. The transformer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transformer is a polyphase transformer formed by stacking cores of each phase face to face or with separation airgaps.

16. An inductor for low frequency applications, DC to 1000 Hz, said inductor comprising:

a core having a cylindrical symmetry around a main revolution axis, said core being formed of a soft isotropic magnetic material comprised of iron, said core including integral cooling fins comprising the soft isotropic magnetic material projecting from an external surface of said core; and

a winding enclosed in said core and disposed about a central column of said core and magnetically coupled with the said core.

17. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said magnetic core is provided with one or more airgaps, said core has two core sections, and said airgaps are formed by separating said two sections or by using a central column and an external shell of different lengths.

18. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core is formed by core sections.

19. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said fins are integrally formed with said core during pressing of said core in a single operation process.

20. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said fins are machined in said core in a machining operation.

21. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said fins are oriented in a direction of magnetic flux circulation of said core and in planes of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

22. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core defines a winding window having a circular cross-section in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

23. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core defines a winding window having an oval cross-section in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

24. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core defines a winding window having a rectangular cross-section with or without round corners in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

25. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core defines a winding window having a trapezoidal cross-section, with or without round corners in a plane of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis.

26. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said core is provided with one or more slots placed in planes of said cylindrical symmetry passing through said revolution axis to reduce eddy currents.

27. The inductor as claimed in claim 16, characterized by said inductor having a low level of audible noise when supplied with AC currents at low frequencies in a range of 50 Hz to 1000 Hz and having substantially no magnetically induced vibrations in said soft magnetic material.

28. The inductor as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that when said inductor is connected to an AC power supply having a frequency of from 50 Hz to 1000 Hz, input currents present a low total harmonic distortion (THD).

29. The inductor as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that copper losses generated by a proximity effect in said winding are minimized when several individual inductors which possess an airgap of small width are stacked.

30. The inductor as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said inductor has small values of form factor (ratio between a height along said revolution axis and an external diameter of said core) when adapted to specific constraints of low profile applications.

31. The inductor as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said inductor has a low level of audible noise when supplied with AC currents at low frequencies in a range of DC to 1000 Hz and substantially no magnetically induced vibrations in said magnetic material thereby minimizing audible noise.

32. An inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said soft isotropic magnetic material is a composite material comprised of iron and resin.

35. The inductor as claimed in claim 16 wherein said inductor is a polyphase inductor formed by stacking cores of each phase face to face or with separation airgaps.