Dc-dc converter for fuel cell application using hybrid inductor core material
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsStephen Raiser, John T. Hall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inductor that includes end core pieces and a plurality of center block core pieces between the end core pieces that define a plurality of gaps. The end core pieces are made of an amorphous alloy to provide good magnetic field properties and the center core pieces are stamped magnetic sheets forming a laminate structure to provide ease of manufacturability. In one non-limiting embodiment, the end core pieces are an amorphous iron alloy and the center core pieces are stamped silicon-iron.
Claims20
An inductor comprising a plurality of core pieces, said core pieces including first and second end core pieces that are spaced apart from each other and a plurality of center block core pieces positioned between the first and second end pieces and providing a plurality of gaps at a center of the inductor, said first and second end core pieces being made of an amorphous alloy and said plurality of center block core pieces being stamped metal sheets forming a laminate structure.
An inductor array comprising a plurality of inductors, each of the inductors in the inductor array including a plurality of core pieces including opposing end core pieces that are spaced apart from each other, wherein adjacent inductors share a common end core piece and a common flux path, said plurality of core pieces further including a plurality of center block core pieces defining a plurality of gaps at the center of each inductor, wherein the end core pieces are made of an amorphous alloy and the center block core pieces and common core pieces are stamped metal sheets formed as a laminate.
An inductor array for a DC/DC boost converter, said inductor array including three inductors where each of the inductors includes a plurality of core pieces including opposing end core pieces that are spaced apart from each other, wherein adjacent inductors share a common core piece and a common flux path, said shared core pieces being configured as back-to-back U-shaped core pieces with an indented center region, said plurality of core pieces further including a plurality of center block pieces defining a plurality of gaps at the center of each inductor, wherein the end core pieces are made of an amorphous alloy and the center block core pieces and common core pieces are stamped metal sheets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.