High Performance Planar Magnetics Based on an Unbalanced-Flux Approach

This paper presents a new design concept to increase the efficiency and the power density of planar magnetics. In contrast to the existing magnetics, which are built using the balanced magnetic flux density design, the proposed design concept generates unbalanced magnetic flux density across the different parts of the magnetic core. The theoretical analysis shows that the core loss of the unbalanced-flux design can be reduced by more than 50% compared to the existing one. The core loss reduction brings several benefits to planar magnetics such as: high power capability, better thermal performance and wider safe operating area (SOA). The proposed design is experimentally evaluated and compared with the balanced-flux design. The experimental results are in good consistency with its theoretical counterparts. The measured core loss are decreased by more than 50% and the power density is increased by more than 250%

Multi‑objective Pareto and GAs nonlinear optimization approach for fyback transformer

Design and optimization of high-frequency inductive components is a complex task because of the huge number of variables to manipulate, the strong interdependence and the interaction between variables, the nonlinear variation of some design variables as well as the problem nonlinearity. This paper proposes a multi-objective design methodology of a 200-W flyback transformer in continuous conduction mode using genetic algorithms and Pareto optimality concept. The objective is to minimize loss, volume and cost of the transformer. Design variables such as the duty cycle, the winding configuration and the core shape, which have great effects on the former objectives but were neglected in previous works, are considered in this paper. The optimization is performed in discrete research space at different switching frequencies. In total, 24 magnetic materials, 6 core shapes and 2 winding configurations are considered in the database. Accurate volume and cost models are also developed to deal with the optimization in the discrete research space. The bi-objective (loss–volume) and tri-objective (loss–volume–cost) optimization results are presented, and the variations of the design variables are analyzed for the case of 60 kHz. An example of a design (30 kHz) is experimentally verified. The registered efficiency is 88% at full load.WIRI

Core Loss Calculation of SymmetricTrapezoidal Magnetic Flux Density Waveform

Existing empirical core loss models for symmetric trapezoidal flux waveform (TzFW) stillsuffer some issues such as the inaccuracy and the complexity. These issues are mainly due to the lack ofan accurate model of the relaxation loss generated during the off-time. This paper aims to understand therelaxation loss and develop an accurate model using the superposition technique. The developed model givesan accurate prediction of the on-time loss and the relaxation loss and shows the dependency of each on theduty cycle. The research shows that the core loss at low duty cycle is several times the core loss at full dutycycle. The developed model is verified with experimental results and compared to the Improved Steinmetzequation (ISE). The model error is reduced to lower than 15% compared to 50% of the ISE. Finally, an easymethod using multiplication factors with the ISE model is given to simplify the developed model

Modeling of the Geometry Effect on the Core Loss and Verification with a Measurement Technique Based on the Seebeck Effect and FEA

In this paper, the effect of the core geometry of non-toroidal magnetic cores on the magnetic loss is investigated. A frequency dependent core material-geometry loss factor is developed. This factor is function of the change in the non-toroidal core section and the Steinmetz parameter “β”. In addition, the temperature effect is included in the developed loss model for wide range of frequency and magnetic flux density. The model is applied for ER core and 3C92 ferrite material. The core loss measurements are performed using a Peltier cell. The principle of operation of the Peltier cell is based on the Seebeck effect, which convert the heat flow due to the temperature difference into electric power.  The calibration of the Peltier cell is validated with a resistive load and a relative error lower than 1% is achieved. The accuracy of the developed model is assessed with FEA and the experimental results. A maximum error of 10% is registered of the developed core loss model

Reconfigurable three state dc-dc power converter for the wide output range applications

Improving the dc voltage gain of power converters has been the primary focus of the current and past research in the area of power electronics. This work presents another solution to widen the range of the output voltage. It proposes three reconfigurable steps for the output voltage. The range of theoutput voltage varies up to four times the base level. These configurations together vary the output voltage from 15 to 96 volts. A soft switched dc-dc power converter is built with the traditional topology of phase shifted full bridge converter along with improved characteristics. For better management of thetransformer loss, a configuration of four transformers has been employed. The proportional gate drive approach is implemented to obtain four similar isolated blocks of the output voltage. This makes it possible to either configure these blocks all in series,parallel or in series/ parallel combination of two. The concept is verified in a low-profile prototype. The hardware is characterized up to the load power of 1kW for the input voltage of 400Vdc. The converter reports better efficiency over the complete range of output voltage