Magnetic core

About: Magnetic core is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 30011 publications have been published within this topic receiving 155247 citations.

Experimental Analysis of the Magnetic Flux Characteristics of Saturated Core Fault Current Limiters

Abstract: A fault current limiter (FCL) is a device that is designed to reduce the impact of fault currents on electricity networks and increase the availability of such networks to consumers. One particular FCL technology that is currently attracting worldwide attention, from both researchers and commercial engineering companies, is the saturated core FCL. This device utilizes the change in permeability between the saturated and unsaturated states of a magnetic core to provide both low steady state losses and effective fault current limiting. Typically the core is saturated using an electromagnetic coil, which can be either superconducting or non-superconducting. Although there have been several studies on the electrical characteristics of this device, the transient magnetic behavior has been largely overlooked. In this paper the magnetic flux characteristics of saturated core FCLs are experimentally analyzed. The study includes the magnetic behavior during both the initial biasing of the cores and during transient fault conditions. The influence of FCL topology and alternative low-cost core materials, on the flux characteristics and overall device performance, is also discussed.

High Frequency Magnetic Core Loss Study

Abstract: The core used to build power inductors and transformers are soft magnetic materials. When there is alternating external field, the magnetic moments rotate and consume energy, which is the core loss. The core loss depends on the AC flux frequency, amplitude, waveform, DC bias and temperature. These dependences are nonlinear and difficult to predict. How to measure, model and analyze the core loss is a challenge for decades. In this dissertation, two new core loss measurement methods are introduced first. These two methods use the reactive cancellation concept to reduce the sensitivity to phase discrepancy, which will destroy the accuracy in classic two-winding method for high frequency high quality factor sample measurements. By using the new measurement techniques the accuracy can be improved by several orders. The first is for sinusoidal waveforms, and the second is for non-sinusoidal wave. The new methods enable high frequency core loss characterization capability, which will help scientists and engineers on material research and inductor/transformer design. Measurement examples, considerations and error analysis are demonstrated and discussed in detail. With the measurement techniques, the core loss under rectangular AC voltage and DC bias current are investigated. A new core loss model named rectangular extension Steinmetz equation (RESE) is proposed based on the measurement results. The new iii model is shown to be more accurate than the existing core loss models. Several commercially available MnZn ferrites are characterized and modeled. Other than conventional MnZn ferrite materials, three commercial LTCC ferrite materials are characterized for integrated power supply applications. Based on characterized properties of these LTCCs, a group of new LTCC ferrites are fabricated and tested. The new LTCC is fabricated by laminating commercial LTCC tapes and co-firing. The new LTCC is demonstrated to have over 50% more inductance over the commercial LTCC materials. This work indicates that the power electronics engineers should work with material engineers to get the optimum material for a given application. In the last part, the core loss of the partially saturated lateral flux planar inductor is analyzed. The challenge of the analysis is the complexity of the distribution of bias field and flux density in a highly biased planar inductor. Each point in the core is working at different excitation and bias condition, and the core loss density is very non-uniform. The proposed method combines the characterization tested in previous chapters and the commercial finite element tool. Experiments verified that the calculation errors are within about 10%. In conclusion, the research in this dissertation proposed a complete solution to measure, model and analyze the high frequency core loss. This solution will not only facilitate fundamental research on physics understanding and material innovation, but also development of power electronics and RF applications.

An Integrated Interleaved Ultrahigh Step-Up DC–DC Converter Using Dual Cross-Coupled Inductors With Built-In Input Current Balancing for Electric Vehicles

Abstract: An integrated interleaved dc–dc converter with ultrahigh voltage gain and reduced voltage stress based on the coupled-inductors and switched-capacitor circuits is proposed in this article, which is suitable for interfacing the low-voltage energy sources, such as fuel-cell, with a high-voltage dc bus in electric vehicle applications. Input-parallel connection of the coupled-inductors offers a reduced input current ripple and the current rating of components, as well as automatic input current sharing without a dedicated current sharing controller. A promising power-density improvement technique is given, in which only one magnetic core is utilized to implement two coupled-inductors that can provide the filter functionality, as well as transformer behavior. For suppressing the voltage ringing resulting from the leakage inductors, the active-clamp configuration is employed that can facilitate the soft-switching performance for all switches in a wide range of output power. A voltage multiplier stage is adapted to not only boost the voltage gain but help alleviate the reverse-recovery problem of diodes. The steady-state performance, theoretical analysis, and a comparison with the state-of-the-art converters are given in this article. Finally, the experimental results of a 1-kW, 100-kHz prototype are provided to confirm the validity of the proposed concept.

Small size and fully integrated power converter with magnetics on chip

Abstract: An integrated circuit has a semiconductor die provided in a first IC layer and an inductor fabricated on a second IC layer. The inductor may have a winding and a magnetic core, which are oriented to conduct magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a surface of a semiconductor die. The semiconductor die may have active circuit components fabricated in a first layer of the die, provided under the inductor layer. The integrated circuit may include a flux conductor provided on a side of the die opposite the first layer. PCB connections to active elements on the semiconductor die may progress through the inductor layer as necessary.

Electrical breakdown in dielectric liquids-a short overview

Abstract: Power transformers are utilized to convert high voltages normally used in electrical power transmission to lower voltages more suitable for consumers. A transformer consists essentially of a magnetic iron core with primary and secondary copper windings. The alternating current flowing in the primary winding induces a magnetic flux in the core, which in turn creates a current in the secondary windings. If there is a difference in the number of turns in the primary and secondary windings, the secondary voltage will be scaled up or down proportionally to the ratio of the turns. In this way, a high voltage can be transformed to a low voltage. However, the desire to convert increasingly greater electrical loads using smaller power transformers results in both higher electrical and thermal stresses. The materials utilized to insulate the different electrically conductive components from each other must be designed to withstand those stresses. The insulating media often consist of pressboard and an insulating liquid. The liquid performs a double duty as it not only insulates the conductive parts but also functions as a liquid coolant. Here we are primarily interested in the oil as an insulating medium.