Power inductor with variable width air gap
US12327669B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/06145
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power inductor includes a housing and a magnetic core disposed in the housing. The core includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart from each other to define a gap. The first and second segments are supported in the housing such that they are movable relative to each other to increase and decrease the size of the gap. A passive actuator is disposed in the housing and is configured to move the second segment relative to the first segment to increase and decrease the size of the gap. The passive actuator includes a shape-memory alloy configured to expand as temperature of the inductor increases to urge the first and second segments apart to increase the gap and to contract as the temperature decreases so that the first and second segments move towards each other to decrease the gap.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.