Method for operation of multi-layer-multi-turn high efficiency tunable inductors

• US 8,698,591 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nucurrent, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nucurrent, Inc.
• Inventors: Singh, Vinit, Babcock, Jacob, Frysz, Christine A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUYEN T
• Application Number:
  US13/797,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20130201589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 336/200, 336206-208, 336/232, 307/147
• US Class Current: 336/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 17/00 Fixed inductances of the signal type coils in general H01F5/00; inductors without a potential-jump or surface barrier specially adapted for integrated circuits, details thereof and multistep manufacturing processes therefor H01L28/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 17/0006 Printed inductances printed coils for dynamo-electric machines H02K3/26; printed circuits H05K
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 17/0013 with stacked layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2027/2809 on stacked layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2804 Printed windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 29/02 with tappings on coil or winding; with provision for rearrangement or interconnection of windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformers; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/04 for manufacturing coils coils for transformer or inductances H01F27/28
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/041 Printed circuit coils apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in general H05K3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 5/00 Coils superconducting coils H01F6/06; fixed inductances of the signal type H01F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 5/003 Printed circuit coils
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/06 Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets electric coils H01F5/00; devices for holding workpieces using electric force B23Q3/15; load-engaging elements for lifting articles electromagnetically B66C1/06; electromagnetic couplings F16D27/00; magnetic brakes F16D63/002; electromagnetically operated valves F16K11/24, F16K31/00; analysing materials by magnetic means G01N27/72, G01N27/80; electromagnets for winding mechanical clocks G04C1/02; electromagnetic relays H01H51/00; windings for salient poles of dynamo-electric machines H02K3/18; electromagnets for telegraphic communication H04L; for arc lamps H05B31/28
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 : Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors of trolley lines B60M1/28
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 : Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 : of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 13/00 : Arrangements for controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, for the purpose of obtaining a desired output
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/01 : Frequency selective two-port networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 : Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/45 : Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 : for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 : for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 : for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/06 : Control, e.g. of temperature, of power
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/1245 : with special coil arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/36 : Coil arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/362 : with flat coil conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/165 : incorporating printed inductors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0352 : Differences between the conductors of different layers of a multilayer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 : Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 : Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4908 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 : Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 : Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49195 : with end-to-end orienting

Abstract

A multi-layer, multi-turn structure for an inductor having a plurality of conductor layers separated by layers of insulator is described. The inductor further comprises a connector electrically connected between the conductor layers. The structure of the inductor may comprise a cavity therewithin. The structure of the inductor constructed such that electrical resistance is reduced therewithin, thus increasing the efficiency of the inductor. The inductor is particularly useful at operating within the radio frequency range and greater.

Claims

1. A method of operating an electrical circuit, the method comprising the following steps:

a) providing a first electrical circuit electrically connectable to a power source, the first electrical circuit comprising at least an inductor, comprising;

i) a first conductor;

ii) second conductor spaced apart from the first conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor being electrically conductive;

iii) an insulator positioned in the space between the first conductor and the second conductor; and

iv) at least one connector electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor;

b) adjusting an input power level of the power source;

c) adjusting an electrical circuit operating frequency to at least about 3 kHz;

d) propagating an electrical current within at least the first conductor;

e) changing at least one of a frequency, a magnitude, or a waveform shape of the electrical current such that a magnetic flux is generated within the inductor; and

f) selecting an adjustable inductor quality factor.

2. The method of claim 1 including generating an electromotive force when at least one of the frequency, the magnitude, or the waveform shape of the electrical current is changed.

3. The method of claim 2 including providing a magnitude of the magnetic flux proportional to the amount of change of at least one of the frequency, the magnitude, or the waveform shape of the electrical current.

4. The method of claim 1 including providing an electrical resistance of at least one of the first conductor or the second conductor is reducible when a cross-sectional area of a conducting skin depth within at least the first conductor or the second conductor is increased.

5. The method of claim 1 including providing a thickness of the first conductor about equal to a thickness of a skin depth of the first conductor at a given operating frequency.

6. The method of claim 1 including providing a thickness of the first conductor ranging from about 1.25 times to about 4 times a thickness of a skin depth of the first conductor at a given operating frequency.

7. The method of claim 1 including providing a thickness of the second conductor ranging from about 1.25 times to about 4 times a thickness of a skin depth of the second conductor at a given operating frequency.

8. The method of claim 1 including providing a first conductor thickness about the same as a second conductor thickness.

9. The method of claim 1 including providing a first conductor thickness different from a second conductor thickness.

10. The method of claim 1 including providing a thickness of a first skin depth of the first conductor about the same as a thickness of a second skin depth of the second conductor.

11. The method of claim 1 including providing a thickness of a first skin depth of the first conductor different than a thickness of a second skin depth of the second conductor.

12. The method of claim 1 including providing a thickness of the insulator less than about 5 cm.

13. The method of claim 1 including providing the inductor having an inductor quality factor greater than about 5.

14. The method of claim 13 including defining the inductor quality factor by the equation

15. The method of claim 1 including operating the inductor at an inductor operating frequency of at least 3 kHz.

16. The method of claim 1 including providing at least one of the first and second conductors formed of a thermally conductive material.

17. The method of claim 1 including providing the connector comprising at least one of a via, a solder, a tab, a wire, a pin, a rivet, a filled mesh structure, a conductive polymer, a conductive composite, a conductive adhesive, a liquid metal, or a foamed metal.

18. The method of claim 1 including connecting electrically at least the one connector to the first conductor and the second conductor in parallel or series.

19. The method of claim 1 including providing the first conductor and the second conductor forming a structure in which the first and second conductors are positioned in about a parallel orientation, a perpendicular, or at an angular relationship with respect to each other.

20. The method of claim 1 including providing a third conductor and a fourth conductor electrically connected in parallel or series, wherein the first and second conductors are connected electrically in parallel or series and are further electrically connectable in series or parallel with the third and fourth conductors.

21. The method of claim 1 including providing the inductor electrically connectable with a second electrical circuit operating at about 3 kHz or greater.

22. The method of claim 21 including selecting the electrical circuit selected from the group consisting of a mixer circuit, an impedance matching circuit, an upconverting mixer circuit, a downconverting mixer circuit, a modulator, a demodulator, a synthesizing circuit, a PLL synthesizing circuit, an amplifying circuit, an electrical driver circuit, an electrical detecting circuit, an RF log detector, an RF RMS detector, an electrical transceiver, a power controller, and combinations thereof.

23. The method of claim 1 including providing the inductor electrically connectable within an induction heating circuit.

24. The method of claim 1 including providing a control circuit electrically connectable to the inductor or other component comprising the first electrical circuit.

25. The method of claim 1 including providing at least the first and second conductor layers having at least a partial revolution.

26. The method of claim 1 including selecting the first conductor or the second conductor having a material selected from the group of materials consisting of copper, titanium, platinum, platinum and iridium alloys, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, hafnium, nitinol, cobalt-chromium-nickel alloys, stainless steel, gold, a gold alloy, palladium, carbon, silver, a noble metal, a conductive polymer, a conductive adhesive, a conductive composite, a liquid metal, a foamed metal, a conductive tape, a conductive ribbon, a conductive foil, a conductive leaf, a wire, a deposited metal, a biocompatible material, and combinations thereof.

27. The method of claim 1 including providing at least one insulator layer of an electrically insulative material.

28. The method of claim 1 including selecting the insulator layer having an electrically insulative material selected from the group of materials consisting of air, polystyrene, silicon dioxide, a biocompatible ceramic, a conductive dielectric material, a non-conductive dielectric material, a piezoelectric material, a pyroelectric material, a ferrite material, and combinations thereof.

29. The method of claim 1 including providing a first terminal electrically connected to the first conductor, a second terminal electrically connected to the second conductor and a third terminal electrically connected to a third conductor, each of the terminals comprising opposing left and right terminal ends, a gap residing between the respective left and right terminal ends.

30. The method of claim 29 including providing a first terminal via, having first and second terminal via ends, positioned between the first and second terminals, the first and second terminal via ends residing within the gaps of the first and second terminals.

31. The method of claim 1 including providing a switch electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor.

32. The method of claim 31 including providing the switch comprising a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

33. The method of claim 31 including providing a plurality of switches electrically connected to the terminal vias.

34. The method of claim 1 including providing a first electrical resistance of the first conductor not equal to a second electrical resistance of the second conductor.

37. The method of claim 1 including electrically connecting a resistor or a capacitor to the first electrical circuit.

38. The method of claim 1 including adjusting an electrical circuit operating frequency of the first electrical circuit to at least about 3 kHz.

35. A method of operating an electrical circuit, the method comprising the following steps:

a) providing an electrical circuit electrically connectable to a power source, the electrical circuit comprising at least an inductor, the comprising;

i) a first inductor subassembly comprising a first conductor;

ii) a second conductor spaced apart from the first conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor being electrically conductive;

iii) a first insulator positioned in the space between the first conductor and the second conductor;

iv) a first connector electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor in parallel or series;

v) a second inductor subassembly comprising a third conductor and a fourth conductor spaced apart from the third conductor, the third conductor and the fourth conductor being electrically conductive;

vi) a second insulator layer positioned in the space between the third conductor and the fourth conductor layers conductors; and

vii) a second connector electrically connecting the third conductor and the fourth conductor in parallel or series, wherein the first inductor subassembly is electrically connectable in series or parallel to the second inductor subassembly;

b) adjusting a power level of the power source;

c) adjusting an electrical circuit operating frequency to at least about 3 kHz;

d) propagating an electrical current within at least the first conductor;

e) changing at least one of a frequency, a magnitude, or a waveform shape of the electrical current such that a magnetic flux is generated; and

f) selecting an adjustable inductor quality factor.

36. The method of claim 35 including orienting the first conductor subassembly and the second inductor subassembly such that the first and second inductor subassemblies are positioned about parallel, about perpendicular, or at an angular relationship with respect to each other.

39. The method of claim 35 including providing a control circuit electrically connectable to the inductor and/or another electrical component comprising the electrical circuit.