Inductor array with shared flux return path for a fuel cell boost converter
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsSTEPHEN RAISER, THOMAS VOGEL
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Abstract
An inductor array that includes a plurality of inductors where adjacent inductors share a core piece and thus a flux path to reduce the size and weight of the array. In one embodiment, the shared core pieces are formed as back-to-back U-shaped members defining an indented region at the center of the core piece. In another embodiment, a plurality of small block-shaped center core pieces in each inductor defines a plurality of gaps therebetween.
Claims20
An inductor array comprising a plurality of inductors positioned adjacent to each other, each inductor including an inductor core defined by more than one core piece, wherein two adjacent inductors share a common core piece that provides a shared flux path.
An inductor array comprising three inductors aligned next to each other, each inductor including an inductor core defined by more than one core piece and at least one gap between core pieces, wherein a center inductor shares a first shared core piece with a first end inductor and a second shared core piece with a second end inductor, said first and second shared core pieces being configured as back-to-back U-shaped pieces with an indented center region, and wherein the first end inductor includes a first end core piece and the second end inductor includes a second end core piece.
An inductor array for a DC/DC boost converter, said inductor array comprising three inductors aligned next to each other, each inductor including an inductor core defined by more than one core piece, wherein a center inductor shares a first shared core piece with a first end inductor and a second shared core piece with a second end inductor, said first and second shared core pieces being configured as back-to-back U-shaped pieces with an indented center region, and wherein the first end inductor includes a first end core piece and the second end inductor includes a second end core piece, and wherein each inductor includes a plurality of center core pieces defining a plurality of gaps between the center core pieces, wherein the first and second end core pieces and the first and second shared core pieces the first and second shared core pieces are made of an amorphous alloy and the center core pieces are made of stamped metal sheets formed as a laminate structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.