Switching power converter assemblies including coupled inductors, and associated methods
AssigneeMaxim Integrated Products, Inc.
InventorsAlexandr Ikriannikov, Di Yao
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Abstract
A coupled inductor includes first and second magnetic rails, a plurality of connecting magnetic elements, and a plurality of windings. The first and second magnetic rails are separated from each other in a first direction, and the first magnetic rail has a first cross-sectional area A1 as seen when viewed in the first direction. Each connecting magnetic element is disposed between the first and second magnetic rails in the first direction. The plurality of connecting magnetic elements collectively have a second cross-sectional area A2 as seen when viewed in the first direction, and a ratio of A2/(A1−A2) is at least 1.5. A respective winding is wound at least partially around each connecting magnetic element.
Claims20
A switching power converter assembly, comprising:
- a coupled inductor including:
- first and second magnetic rails being separated from each other in a first direction, the first magnetic rail having a first cross-sectional area (A1) as seen when viewed in the first direction,
- a plurality of connecting magnetic elements disposed between the first and second magnetic rails in the first direction, the plurality of connecting magnetic elements collectively having a second cross-sectional area (A2) as seen when viewed in the first direction, a ratio of A1/(A1−A2) being at least 2.0, and
- a respective winding wound at least partially around each connecting magnetic element;
- and
- a respective switching stage electrically coupled to each winding of the plurality of windings of the coupled inductor, each switching stage being configured to repeatedly switch a terminal of its respective winding between at least two different power nodes,
- the windings of the coupled inductor and the switching stages being collectively configured such that there is negative coupling between all windings of the coupled inductor.
A switching power converter assembly, comprising:
- a coupled inductor including:
- first and second magnetic rails being separated from each other in a first direction, the first magnetic rail having a first cross-sectional area (A1) as seen when viewed in the first direction,
- a plurality of connecting magnetic elements disposed between the first and second magnetic rails in the first direction, the plurality of connecting magnetic elements collectively having a second cross-sectional area (A2) as seen when viewed in the first direction, a ratio of A1/(A1−A2) being at least 2.0, and
- a respective winding wound at least partially around each connecting magnetic element;
- a respective switching stage electrically coupled to each winding of the plurality of windings of the coupled inductor, each switching stage being configured to repeatedly switch a terminal of its respective winding between at least two different power nodes;
- and
- a controller configured to control each switching stage so that each switching stage repeatedly switches the terminal of its respective winding between at least two different power nodes out-of-phase with each other switching stage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.