US20050093672A1 - Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same - Google Patents

Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20050093672A1
US20050093672A1 US10/994,902 US99490204A US2005093672A1 US 20050093672 A1 US20050093672 A1 US 20050093672A1 US 99490204 A US99490204 A US 99490204A US 2005093672 A1 US2005093672 A1 US 2005093672A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
holes
ferromagnetic
sheets
transformer
thin
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/994,902
Inventor
Philip Harding
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US10/994,902 priority Critical patent/US20050093672A1/en
Publication of US20050093672A1 publication Critical patent/US20050093672A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01FMAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F41/00Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformers; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties
    • H01F41/02Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformers; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for manufacturing cores, coils, or magnets
    • H01F41/04Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformers; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties for manufacturing cores, coils, or magnets for manufacturing coils
    • H01F41/041Printed circuit coils
    • H01F41/046Printed circuit coils structurally combined with ferromagnetic material
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01FMAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F17/00Fixed inductances of the signal type 
    • H01F17/0006Printed inductances
    • H01F17/0033Printed inductances with the coil helically wound around a magnetic core
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00Printed circuits
    • H05K1/16Printed circuits incorporating printed electric components, e.g. printed resistor, capacitor, inductor
    • H05K1/165Printed circuits incorporating printed electric components, e.g. printed resistor, capacitor, inductor incorporating printed inductors
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/08Magnetic details
    • H05K2201/083Magnetic materials
    • H05K2201/086Magnetic materials for inductive purposes, e.g. printed inductor with ferrite core
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/09Shape and layout
    • H05K2201/09009Substrate related
    • H05K2201/09063Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/09Shape and layout
    • H05K2201/09209Shape and layout details of conductors
    • H05K2201/09654Shape and layout details of conductors covering at least two types of conductors provided for in H05K2201/09218 - H05K2201/095
    • H05K2201/097Alternating conductors, e.g. alternating different shaped pads, twisted pairs; Alternating components
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/10Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
    • H05K2201/10227Other objects, e.g. metallic pieces
    • H05K2201/10416Metallic blocks or heatsinks completely inserted in a PCB
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/02Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which the conductive material is applied to the surface of the insulating support and is thereafter removed from such areas of the surface which are not intended for current conducting or shielding
    • H05K3/06Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which the conductive material is applied to the surface of the insulating support and is thereafter removed from such areas of the surface which are not intended for current conducting or shielding the conductive material being removed chemically or electrolytically, e.g. by photo-etch process
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/40Forming printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
    • H05K3/42Plated through-holes or plated via connections
    • H05K3/429Plated through-holes specially for multilayer circuits, e.g. having connections to inner circuit layers
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/46Manufacturing multilayer circuits
    • H05K3/4611Manufacturing multilayer circuits by laminating two or more circuit boards
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S29/00Metal working
    • Y10S29/016Method or apparatus with etching
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/4902Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/4902Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
    • Y10T29/49073Electromagnet, transformer or inductor by assembling coil and core
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/4902Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
    • Y10T29/49075Electromagnet, transformer or inductor including permanent magnet or core
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00Metal working
    • Y10T29/49Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49002Electrical device making
    • Y10T29/49117Conductor or circuit manufacturing
    • Y10T29/49124On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
    • Y10T29/49155Manufacturing circuit on or in base
    • Y10T29/49165Manufacturing circuit on or in base by forming conductive walled aperture in base

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to inductive components and methods for manufacturing these components.
  • Inductive components are commonly fabricated using ferromagnetic cores and windings of insulated electrical wire.
  • the ferromagnetic cores are typically toroidal cores, rod cores, or assemblies made of a lower E shaped ferromagnetic part and a ferromagnetic cap connecting the three legs of the E such as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the toroid and rod cores are manually or automatically wound with the insulated copper wire to form a number of multiple turn windings for a transformer or a single winding for an inductor.
  • the assembly is then typically encapsulated to protect the wires.
  • the circuit connection is made by the solder termination of the wires as required by the application. This approach has high labor costs because of individual part handling. It has large variability in electronic parameters such as leakage inductance, distributed and inter-winding capacitance, and common mode imbalance between windings because of the difficulty in exact placement of the copper wires.
  • the E shaped and encompassing cap assembly of FIG. 1 is made into an inductive component by manually or automatically winding copper insulated wires around the legs of the E as required. Either gluing or clamping the cap in place and final encapsulation completes this subassembly. Similarly, the circuit connection is made by means of solder termination of the wires as required by the application. Not only does this device have the limitations of the toroid and rod core, as mentioned above, but also it generally is a much larger device. Because the cap is a separate device the magnetic paths have a resistance of non-ferromagnetic gaps between the E and the cap reducing the efficiency of the transformer.
  • Power transformers constructed as shown in FIG. 1 have the further disadvantage that the heat resulting from the resistance losses in the windings is not easily dissipated because the E core and cap isolate these windings from a heat sink.
  • the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide inductors and transformers and methods of manufacturing these devices which offer very significant advantages over the state-of-the-art. These inductors and transformers connected in accordance with this invention have a number of applications in the electronics, telecommunication and computer fields.
  • a rectangular slab of ferromagnetic material is encapsulated between printed circuitry.
  • a plurality of through holes (vias) are drilled through or formed during manufacture of the slab from the top face of the slab to the bottom face of the slab, the number of holes corresponding to the number of desired turns of the windings.
  • This embodiment utilizes Ampere's Law in a very novel manner to form a transformer, inductor, or the like within the circuit board rather than the use or assembly of discrete inductive devices to the circuit board.
  • the windings are not insulated electric wires.
  • the holes through the slab are made electrically conductive by through hole plating or the like and electrically connect with the printed circuits encapsulating the slab.
  • This pattern of plated through holes and the printed circuitry form the inductor and transformer windings with the core of the inductors and transformers being the drilled or formed slab of ferromagnetic material.
  • This embodiment provides substantial improvements, particularly in fabricating high frequency inductors and transformers.
  • the core of the inductors or transformers comprises cores formed by a multi-layer series of thin concentric ferromagnetic metal rings supported on a suitable substrate such as a flex circuit (FLEX) or printed circuit board (PCB). Through holes proximate these concentric ring cores provide electrical connection with printed circuitry to provide the inductor and transformer windings.
  • FLEX flex circuit
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the preferred embodiments have a number of additional significant advantages. These include: superior heat removal, outside connections that are more accessible to simplify electrical connection, shorter flux paths to increase magnetic performance, simpler fabrication, interconnections that are more integrated, smaller inductive devices, superior performance, and excellent manufacturing repeatability.
  • FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of a prior art ferromagnetic E core, with a matching ferromagnetic cap;
  • FIG. 2A is a top view of a conventional toroidal transformer
  • FIG. 2B is a side view of a conventional transformer
  • FIG. 3A is a top view of a representation of a “virtual” toroidal transformer
  • FIG. 3B is a side view of the virtual transformer of FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view of other preferred embodiments of a virtual transformer
  • FIG. 5 shows an array of 70 cores laminated onto a large panel of FLEX with the top FLEX layer removed to show the individual cores;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing top and bottom FLEX laminated to an individual core slab
  • FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a via hole in an individual slab
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of a PCB prepreg with an array of 25 holes to house 25 cores
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of an individual core showing top and bottom PCB laminated to the core;
  • FIG. 10 an enlarged cross-section of a via hole in an individual ferromagnetic slab
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section of a via hole filled with screened conductive paste
  • FIG. 12 illustrates the invention's heat dissipation characteristic by improved surface area to volume ratio
  • FIG. 13 shows a metal toroidal core illustrating the manner in which eddy currents are generated
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a plurality of core laminations formed by etching concentric rings of ferromagnetic metal
  • FIG. 15 is a is a enlarged view of one of the core laminations of FIG. 14 ;
  • FIG. 16A is a is a cross-sectional view showing a plurality of stacked core laminations
  • FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of one of the core stacks of FIG. 16A ;
  • FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view showing the stack of FIG. 16A after the top and bottom printed circuits have been added;
  • FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of one of the core stacks of FIG. 17A ;
  • FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view after plated through via holes have been drilled through the laminated structure of FIG. 17A ;
  • FIG. 18B is an enlarged view of one of the core stacks of FIG. 18A .
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a typical prior art transformer with a toroidal core 30 .
  • this transformer has two windings of insulated wire: a two-turn winding 32 and a four-turn 34 winding.
  • Each turn 36 encircles the material of the core 30 such that when electrical current is passed through one winding an encircling magnetic flux path 38 flows within the core 30 .
  • FIG. 2A illustrates the windings 32 , 34 passing through the center of the core 30 , and around the outside of the core 30 .
  • slab 50 of ferromagnetic material has a top surface 52 and bottom surface 54 , and, shown in cross-sections, two outer holes (vias) 56 and one inner hole (via) 64 within the slab 50 .
  • the slab 50 is advantageously a thin layer of ferrite having a relatively high resistivity.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B show a “virtual” toroid transformer constructed in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the invention using the slab 50 with eight outer via holes 56 and six inner via holes 68 (not all of which are shown in FIG. 3B ).
  • Conductors 58 are formed on the top 52 and bottom 54 surfaces of the slab. The conductors have pads 60 for connection to other devices, or circuitry. As described below, these outer and inner vias 56 , 68 are plated through from top to bottom and in electrical contact with the conductor 58 so that a complete electrical circuit extends between, for example, pad 60 and pad 60 ′. As described below, a virtual toroidal transformer 62 is thus formed having a circular path 62 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates shows a ferromagnetic slab 70 with two independent virtual cores 72 , 74 residing on the same slab 70 .
  • the second transformer 74 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the vias are rearranged in specific patterns. This rearrangement forms a rectangular virtual toroid 75 with an inner rectangle 76 and an outer rectangle 77 .
  • the windings 32 , 34 as shown in FIG. 2 are inductively coupled together by way of the core 30 .
  • the core 30 provides a magnetic flux path which couples the first winding 32 to the second winding 34 thereby generating an electrical voltage at the second winding when there is a voltage present at the first.
  • This is the basic theory of a transformer, which transforms energy from one winding to another.
  • the major portion of the magnetic flux is constrained between the inner 40 and outer 42 radius of the core.
  • Ampere's law constrains the flux path independent of the shape of the core; therefore, as discussed in detail below, it is not necessary to actually fabricate the donut shape of the toroid to create devices that behave similarly.
  • One method of fabrication is to embed a multiplicity of ferromagnetic slabs (cores 90 ) within the top and bottom layers of FLEX 92 circuits such as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 .
  • Copper circuit patterns 92 corresponding to the desired windings are formed on an epoxy sheets 1 , 10 which are glued to the top and bottom surfaces 112 , 114 of the slab by adhesive 115 .
  • the cores 90 are thus contained in the circuits 92 by a lamination process.
  • Via holes are formed through the composite layers of FLEX 92 , and the cores, to form a connection between the top FLEX 116 circuitry to the bottom FLEX 117 circuitry, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
  • Filling vias with conductive inks and standard industry plating processes are preferred methods used to make the connections for large numbers of virtual cores simultaneously. The cross section of this construction is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
  • FIGS. 8, 9 , and 10 Another method of fabrication shown in FIGS. 8, 9 , and 10 is to embed a multiplicity of ferromagnetic pieces 150 , between the top 170 and bottom 172 layers of PCB circuits.
  • FIG. 8 shows an array of holes 154 in a PCB adhesive, or prepreg array 156 . This prepreg 156 panel is formed to accommodate each core piece 150 .
  • FIG. 9 after the pieces 150 are inserted into the holes 154 a top section 170 and a bottom section 172 of PCB are laminated to the array 156 . The pieces 150 are thus contained by the lamination process which sandwiches the pieces 150 between two sheets of epoxy.
  • Via holes 190 are formed through the composite layers of PCB 192 , and pieces 150 , to form a connection between the top PCB 194 circuitry and the bottom PCB 196 circuitry. Vias 190 filled with conductive inks 198 or standard industry plating processes are advantageously used to make the connection for a large number of cores simultaneously.
  • the cross section of this construction is similar to the FLEX 117 construction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The major difference is due to the inflexibility of the PCB material, which does not conform to the individual pieces 150 .
  • FIG. 11 Another method of fabrication is shown in Figure 11 in which a multiplicity of cores 210 are retained on a carrier 212 . Each core 210 is molded with appropriate holes 214 . Standard industry conductive ink screening processes are then used to form the circuits on the top 215 and bottom 216 of the cores 210 while simultaneously filling the holes 214 to make the required connection between the top 215 and bottom 216 sides.
  • any enclosed path that falls within the inner vias 68 will encompass zero net current, therefore such paths will have no magnetic flux.
  • Any path that encompasses the outer vias 56 will also encompass zero net current because the inner holes 68 have an equal but opposite current flow to the current flowing in the outer holes 56 creating zero magnetic flux in the region encompassing the outer vias 56 .
  • the enclosed paths between the inner and outer vias 68 , 56 will have a net magnetic flux due to the enclosure of the inner vias 68 .
  • via holes enable many different shapes of virtual cores and arrangements of cores on substrates.
  • many independent magnetic circuits can be constructed on the same substrate. Because of this, it is possible to construct more complex circuits than simple inductors and transformers by the appropriate placement of vias and circuit conductors on the top and bottom surfaces 52 , 54 of the ferromagnetic slab 50 shown in FIG. 3 .
  • processes employed in conventional PCB and FLEX (flexible circuit boards) industries photo-deposition, etching, and plating
  • multiple components such as resistors, capacitors and integrated circuits can be placed on the same substrate to form micro-miniature circuit assemblies.
  • Inductors and transformers useful for high frequency circuits such as are used for radio frequencies, typical ranges being 100 KHz to 100 MHz, can be constructed in accordance with the foregoing embodiments.
  • the ferromagnetic slab 50 is advantageously formed of a thin layer of ferrite material having typical permeabilities in the range of 100 to 10,000 and resistivity in the range of 1,000 ohm/cm to 109 ohm/cm.
  • Typical ferrite compositions include ferric oxide and alnico. Such ferrite materials have a sufficiently high resistivity such that the plated vias through the slab are insulated one of the other.
  • the transformers and inductors so constructed are adapted for miniaturization. They eliminate the need for complicated pins or lead-frames.
  • a slab 1.5 inches long, 1 inch wide and 0.05 inches thick with 0.03 inch diameter vias can provide the core for two or more transformers.
  • the ferromagnetic slabs may be very small.
  • Surface pads on the top and bottom surfaces form the connections, and can be surface mounted directly to PCB's, thus reducing the footprint of the device and making more room for other components.
  • the plotted windings are substantially in two parallel planes. Therefore the windings of a ten (10) layer planar transformer device, a typical application, can be reduced in overall height by a factor of five (5).
  • the ferromagnetic slab may be very thin, e.g., 0.05 inches, so that the inductors and transformers of the invention may be constructed substantially in one very thin plane instead of a three-dimensional E core construction further reducing the overall height by a large factor.
  • inductive devices such as low frequency power transformers require cores having relatively high relative permeabilities typically in the range of 10,000 to 100,000.
  • improvements afforded by the preferred embodiments are applicable to lower and higher values, e.g., a range of 1,000 to 1,000,000.
  • Certain metals and metal alloys provide these high flex densities including steel, iron, silica iron, 78 permalloy, Mumetal, purified iron, and supermalloy. Although these high flex densities can offer distinct advantages in constructing transformers and inductors, the low resistivity of the metals allow induced eddy currents to flow which counteract the benefits of the higher flux densities.
  • the induced eddy currents 300 caused by the magnetic flux flowing in a metal core are illustrated in FIG.
  • transformers/inductors that use metal as a core normally reduce these eddy currents by constructing the toroid or E core out of laminated metal E strips, with each strip separated by some type of dielectric bonding material. The entire E core contains many such strips to form the full core. By means of this configuration the eddy current is limited to the cross section area of each strip. As described below, a significant feature of this invention is to further reduce the core section areas.
  • FIGS. 14-18 The fabrication of one embodiment of this invention enabling use of ferromagnetic metal for the core material is illustrated in FIGS. 14-18 wherein a flex circuit or printed circuit board 290 supports a series of laminated thin metal annular rings formed on FLEX or PCB and separated by dielectric sheets. Plated via holes within the center and outside of the annular rings and plated complete the electrical turns around the core. As described below, this embodiment substantially minimizes eddy current by substantially reducing the cross sectional area of each laminated core section.
  • a plurality of core laminations are formed by first laminating the sheets of ferromagnetic metal to a PCB or FLEX 290 and then etching away portions of the ferromagnetic sheet to form a pattern of a plurality of closely spaced, narrow continuous core segments.
  • FIG. 14 shows an individual layer of PCB or FLEX 310 with 16 etched core arrays.
  • the lamination and etching processes known in the art will generally permit manufacture of more than 16 such arrays depending upon the size of the array and pattern.
  • the core arrays 315 are etched using well known double-sided processes so that identical arrays are formed on both the top and bottom of sheet 310 .
  • FIG. 15 An enlarged view of a single core array 315 is illustrated in FIG. 15 which shows an array having 16 concentric ferromagnetic electrically conductive metal rings 320 a - 320 p insulated from each other by the respective etched out spaces or voids 325 a - 325 o .
  • the area 330 outside the array 315 and the area 335 within the innermost ring 320 are void of magnetic material.
  • This invention is not limited to a concentric ring array and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other core arrays may be constructed such as a series of successively larger squares or rectangles insulated one from the other.
  • the next fabrication step is to stack a plurality of the PCB and FLEX layers 310 with the arrays 315 substantially in alignment.
  • core arrays of concentric rings 315 a - 315 h are stacked one on top of each other with the core patterns on each layer in alignment.
  • the result is the fabrication of a plurality of high flux carrying metal cores having very small eddy current areas.
  • the thickness of the original sheet used to etch the arrays 315 can be very thin, typically in the range of 0.0005′′ to 0.010′′ inches.
  • the concentric rings can be etched using conventional PCB or FLEX (FPC) etching techniques to very narrow widths on the order of 0.002′′ to 0.003′′ .
  • FPC FLEX
  • a thin layer of dielectric material 340 is placed adjacent to the top surface of each etched concentric ring array 315 .
  • an epoxy material is used.
  • This dielectric sheet and the dielectric sheet supporting the etched ferromagnetic rings may be of different materials. Representative materials include epoxies and acrylics manufactured by Dupont and Rogers Corp. for manufacturing of PCB boards and FLEX. Epoxies and prepregs (and epoxies with glass) are generally used to construct PCB boards and acrylics are generally used to manufacture FLEX.
  • the voids 325 , voids 330 and voids 335 shown in FIG. 15 are filled with dielectric material 340 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B .
  • the electrical windings of the preferred embodiments of this invention are advantageously provided by conductive through hole vias in contact with printed circuitry on both sides of the core structures.
  • the fabrication steps for windings of the embodiments of FIGS. 14-18 is shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B , 18 A and 18 B.
  • additional layers of copper 350 , 355 are respectively laminated on the top and bottom surfaces along with two additional layers of dielectrics 360 , 365 separating the copper surfaces from the etched metal surfaces.
  • FIG. 18A and 18B The completed structure is illustrated in FIG. 18A and 18B with via holes 370 drilled through the entire laminated array. These vias are located proximate to, but typically not in contact with the low resistivity ferromagnetic rings so as to electrically insulate the windings turns provided by the plated vias. These holes 370 are then plated with a electrically conductive material, typically copper. Conductive inks and conductive pastes within the via holes may also be employed. The copper layers 350 , 355 are then etched to form circuit patterns in electrical contact with the plated through holes 370 for forming windings around the concentric ring core arrays 315 .
  • via holes 370 drilled through the entire laminated array. These vias are located proximate to, but typically not in contact with the low resistivity ferromagnetic rings so as to electrically insulate the windings turns provided by the plated vias. These holes 370 are then plated with a electrically conductive material, typically copper. Conductive ink
  • FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrates, for simplicity of illustration, a small number of via holes 370 a , 370 b , 370 c and 370 d for each transformer. It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that the embodiments of FIGS. 14-18 can have multiple windings by adding additional through holes. If necessary, additional copper layers may be stacked on layers 350 , 355 to provide the requisite connections to additional through holes.
  • FIGS. 18A, 18B Individual transformers and inductor devices are extracted from the laminated array of FIGS. 18A, 18B by the usual methods of “die” cutting or routing the parts from the array. Each such device can be used as a replacement for the traditional inductive devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 . Also, because the etched metal core is part of an array such as shown in FIG. 16 , it can be interconnected to other components.
  • the cores of the preferred embodiments of this invention are a continuous piece, thereby providing improving transformer efficiency.
  • the one-piece design also eliminates the need to join two separate pieces together in a separate processing step.
  • a separation can be etched in each of the concentric rings shown in FIG. 15 .
  • Such etched gap rings eliminate the large variations of the traditional mechanical separation of the E cores.
  • Inductors and transformers constructed in the manner of FIGS. 14-18 offer superior performance with much less eddy current by segregating the metal lamination in two directions.
  • the preferred embodiment shown has a core which is both thinner than conventional laminated cores by virtue of the fact (a) that the sheets of metal, from which the rings 320 are etched, can be much thinner using PCB or FLEX fabrication materials and (b) the individual insulated rings 320 may be made very narrow. Since eddy currents are proportional to the square of the segment cross section area, the preferred embodiments dramatically reduce eddy currents compared to traditional methods of making transformers or inductors. For example, referring to traditional E core shown in FIG. 1 , the metal laminates of this core cannot be separated in two directions because the strips would fall apart or simply not have mechanical integrity.
  • Windings formed in accordance with the preferred embodiments can be formed into surface mount leads without the need for separate lead-frame constructions, complicated pinning or end plating.
  • the transformers can advantageously be an integral part of the power supply or circuit assembly thereby reducing the physical size, reducing the connections, and, in general, making the assembly more compact and smaller.
  • Circuit components can be placed directly above or below the etched transformer, using the transformer area as the carrier for the balance of the circuitry so that the area of the entire circuit would be as small as the area of the transformer.
  • Cores constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments offer a more efficient flux path with fewer losses than traditional transformers. These characteristics more closely resemble a toroid in design and function. The magnetic flux path is shorter than comparable transformers using traditional cores such as E-Cores and PQ Cores.
  • the preferred embodiments can be made smaller because they do not require complicated pins or lead-frames.
  • Surface pads on the top and bottom surfaces form the connection themselves and they can be surface mounted directly to PCB's thus reducing the footprint of the device and making more room for other components.
  • Windings are in 2 planes therefore the windings of a ten- (10) layer planar transformer device, a typical application, can be reduced in overall height by a factor of five (5).
  • the “core” is in one plane instead of a three-dimensional E core construction further reducing the overall height by a large factor.
  • the preferred embodiments can be made from flex circuits and much less expensive to manufacture than multi-layer planar windings. Also eliminating and the need for lead-frame's, potting, and cap gluing thus making the device easier to manufacture.
  • a significant feature of inductors and transformers constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention is that the heat generating windings of are not buried within an assembly or wound on top of each other as in traditional transformers nor are they stacked together as in planar transformers. Instead, the plated windings substantially reside on the top and bottom planes of the transformer or inductor device.
  • This layout offers superior heat dissipation with no trapped heat buried within windings.
  • the PCB can be advantageously attached to a heat sink, separated only by a thin solder mask typically only 0.005 inches thick, placing half of the windings in thermal contact with the heat sink, thereby offering a superior surface area to heat ratio.
  • FIG. 12 shows one example of a large surface area 230 for excellent heat removal directly mounted to a heat sink 232 such as copper and aluminum.

Abstract

The present invention relates to the methods of construction for inductive components of, preferably, ferromagnetic materials such as inductors, chokes, and transformers when used as an integral part of the fabrication of PCB's or FLEX's. In one preferred embodiment, holes are formed through a ferromagnetic substrate and plated with conductive material. The arrangement of these holes, and the subsequent design that ensues, will form the inductive components within the plane of the media in which the device is formed; using the substrate for a magnetic core. By using this approach, the inductive components can be miniaturized to physical sizes compatible with the requirements of modem surface mount technology (SMT) for integrated circuitry (IC). This process also allows these components to be fabricated using mass production techniques, thereby avoiding the need to handle discrete devices during the manufacturing process. In another preferred embodiment, a series of thin, concentric high permeability rings are etched on a substrate to provide high permeability transformers and inductors having minimal eddy current effects.

Description

    PRIORITY CLAIM
  • This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/234,636 filed Sept. 22, 2000 entitled “Electronic Transformer/Inductor Devices And Methods For Making Same” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/237,356 filed Sept. 27, 2000 entitled “Electronic Transformer/Inductor Devices And Methods For Making Same.”
  • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to inductive components and methods for manufacturing these components.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Inductive components are commonly fabricated using ferromagnetic cores and windings of insulated electrical wire. The ferromagnetic cores are typically toroidal cores, rod cores, or assemblies made of a lower E shaped ferromagnetic part and a ferromagnetic cap connecting the three legs of the E such as shown in FIG. 1.
  • The toroid and rod cores are manually or automatically wound with the insulated copper wire to form a number of multiple turn windings for a transformer or a single winding for an inductor. The assembly is then typically encapsulated to protect the wires. The circuit connection is made by the solder termination of the wires as required by the application. This approach has high labor costs because of individual part handling. It has large variability in electronic parameters such as leakage inductance, distributed and inter-winding capacitance, and common mode imbalance between windings because of the difficulty in exact placement of the copper wires.
  • The E shaped and encompassing cap assembly of FIG. 1 is made into an inductive component by manually or automatically winding copper insulated wires around the legs of the E as required. Either gluing or clamping the cap in place and final encapsulation completes this subassembly. Similarly, the circuit connection is made by means of solder termination of the wires as required by the application. Not only does this device have the limitations of the toroid and rod core, as mentioned above, but also it generally is a much larger device. Because the cap is a separate device the magnetic paths have a resistance of non-ferromagnetic gaps between the E and the cap reducing the efficiency of the transformer.
  • Power transformers constructed as shown in FIG. 1 have the further disadvantage that the heat resulting from the resistance losses in the windings is not easily dissipated because the E core and cap isolate these windings from a heat sink.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide inductors and transformers and methods of manufacturing these devices which offer very significant advantages over the state-of-the-art. These inductors and transformers connected in accordance with this invention have a number of applications in the electronics, telecommunication and computer fields. In one preferred embodiment described below, a rectangular slab of ferromagnetic material is encapsulated between printed circuitry. A plurality of through holes (vias) are drilled through or formed during manufacture of the slab from the top face of the slab to the bottom face of the slab, the number of holes corresponding to the number of desired turns of the windings. This embodiment utilizes Ampere's Law in a very novel manner to form a transformer, inductor, or the like within the circuit board rather than the use or assembly of discrete inductive devices to the circuit board. Thus, the windings are not insulated electric wires. Rather, the holes through the slab are made electrically conductive by through hole plating or the like and electrically connect with the printed circuits encapsulating the slab. This pattern of plated through holes and the printed circuitry form the inductor and transformer windings with the core of the inductors and transformers being the drilled or formed slab of ferromagnetic material. This embodiment provides substantial improvements, particularly in fabricating high frequency inductors and transformers.
  • In another preferred embodiment described below, the core of the inductors or transformers comprises cores formed by a multi-layer series of thin concentric ferromagnetic metal rings supported on a suitable substrate such as a flex circuit (FLEX) or printed circuit board (PCB). Through holes proximate these concentric ring cores provide electrical connection with printed circuitry to provide the inductor and transformer windings. This embodiment enables construction of high permeability inductors and transformers having minimal eddy current effects. Inductors and transformers so constructed have particular application for miniature low frequency power supplies.
  • In addition to the advantages described above, the preferred embodiments have a number of additional significant advantages. These include: superior heat removal, outside connections that are more accessible to simplify electrical connection, shorter flux paths to increase magnetic performance, simpler fabrication, interconnections that are more integrated, smaller inductive devices, superior performance, and excellent manufacturing repeatability.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and its essential features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which:
  • FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of a prior art ferromagnetic E core, with a matching ferromagnetic cap;
  • FIG. 2A is a top view of a conventional toroidal transformer;
  • FIG. 2B is a side view of a conventional transformer;
  • FIG. 3A is a top view of a representation of a “virtual” toroidal transformer;
  • FIG. 3B is a side view of the virtual transformer of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view of other preferred embodiments of a virtual transformer;
  • FIG. 5 shows an array of 70 cores laminated onto a large panel of FLEX with the top FLEX layer removed to show the individual cores;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing top and bottom FLEX laminated to an individual core slab;
  • FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a via hole in an individual slab;
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of a PCB prepreg with an array of 25 holes to house 25 cores;
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of an individual core showing top and bottom PCB laminated to the core;
  • FIG. 10 an enlarged cross-section of a via hole in an individual ferromagnetic slab;
  • FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section of a via hole filled with screened conductive paste;
  • FIG. 12 illustrates the invention's heat dissipation characteristic by improved surface area to volume ratio;
  • FIG. 13 shows a metal toroidal core illustrating the manner in which eddy currents are generated;
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a plurality of core laminations formed by etching concentric rings of ferromagnetic metal;
  • FIG. 15 is a is a enlarged view of one of the core laminations of FIG. 14;
  • FIG. 16A is a is a cross-sectional view showing a plurality of stacked core laminations;
  • FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of one of the core stacks of FIG. 16A;
  • FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view showing the stack of FIG. 16A after the top and bottom printed circuits have been added;
  • FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of one of the core stacks of FIG. 17A;
  • FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view after plated through via holes have been drilled through the laminated structure of FIG. 17A; and
  • FIG. 18B is an enlarged view of one of the core stacks of FIG. 18A.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a typical prior art transformer with a toroidal core 30. For simplicity this transformer has two windings of insulated wire: a two-turn winding 32 and a four-turn 34 winding. Each turn 36 encircles the material of the core 30 such that when electrical current is passed through one winding an encircling magnetic flux path 38 flows within the core 30. FIG. 2A illustrates the windings 32, 34 passing through the center of the core 30, and around the outside of the core 30.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present invention have a very different core and winding arrangement. In one of these preferred embodiments shown generally in FIG. 3, slab 50 of ferromagnetic material has a top surface 52 and bottom surface 54, and, shown in cross-sections, two outer holes (vias) 56 and one inner hole (via) 64 within the slab 50. As described below, for miniature inductors and transformers, the slab 50 is advantageously a thin layer of ferrite having a relatively high resistivity.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B show a “virtual” toroid transformer constructed in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the invention using the slab 50 with eight outer via holes 56 and six inner via holes 68 (not all of which are shown in FIG. 3B). Conductors 58 are formed on the top 52 and bottom 54 surfaces of the slab. The conductors have pads 60 for connection to other devices, or circuitry. As described below, these outer and inner vias 56, 68 are plated through from top to bottom and in electrical contact with the conductor 58 so that a complete electrical circuit extends between, for example, pad 60 and pad 60′. As described below, a virtual toroidal transformer 62 is thus formed having a circular path 62.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates shows a ferromagnetic slab 70 with two independent virtual cores 72, 74 residing on the same slab 70. The second transformer 74 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the vias are rearranged in specific patterns. This rearrangement forms a rectangular virtual toroid 75 with an inner rectangle 76 and an outer rectangle 77.
  • The windings 32, 34 as shown in FIG. 2 are inductively coupled together by way of the core 30. The core 30 provides a magnetic flux path which couples the first winding 32 to the second winding 34 thereby generating an electrical voltage at the second winding when there is a voltage present at the first. This is the basic theory of a transformer, which transforms energy from one winding to another. The major portion of the magnetic flux is constrained between the inner 40 and outer 42 radius of the core.
  • Ampere's law constrains the flux path independent of the shape of the core; therefore, as discussed in detail below, it is not necessary to actually fabricate the donut shape of the toroid to create devices that behave similarly.
  • Fabrication as Part of a FLEX
  • One method of fabrication is to embed a multiplicity of ferromagnetic slabs (cores 90) within the top and bottom layers of FLEX 92 circuits such as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Copper circuit patterns 92 corresponding to the desired windings are formed on an epoxy sheets 1,10 which are glued to the top and bottom surfaces 112, 114 of the slab by adhesive 115. The cores 90 are thus contained in the circuits 92 by a lamination process. Via holes are formed through the composite layers of FLEX 92, and the cores, to form a connection between the top FLEX 116 circuitry to the bottom FLEX 117 circuitry, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Filling vias with conductive inks and standard industry plating processes are preferred methods used to make the connections for large numbers of virtual cores simultaneously. The cross section of this construction is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
  • Fabrication as Part of a PCB
  • Another method of fabrication shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 is to embed a multiplicity of ferromagnetic pieces 150, between the top 170 and bottom 172 layers of PCB circuits. FIG. 8 shows an array of holes 154 in a PCB adhesive, or prepreg array 156. This prepreg 156 panel is formed to accommodate each core piece 150. As shown in FIG. 9, after the pieces 150 are inserted into the holes 154 a top section 170 and a bottom section 172 of PCB are laminated to the array 156. The pieces 150 are thus contained by the lamination process which sandwiches the pieces 150 between two sheets of epoxy. Via holes 190 are formed through the composite layers of PCB 192, and pieces 150 , to form a connection between the top PCB 194 circuitry and the bottom PCB 196 circuitry. Vias 190 filled with conductive inks 198 or standard industry plating processes are advantageously used to make the connection for a large number of cores simultaneously. The cross section of this construction is similar to the FLEX 117 construction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The major difference is due to the inflexibility of the PCB material, which does not conform to the individual pieces 150.
  • Fabrication without a FLEX or PCB
  • Another method of fabrication is shown in Figure 11 in which a multiplicity of cores 210 are retained on a carrier 212. Each core 210 is molded with appropriate holes 214. Standard industry conductive ink screening processes are then used to form the circuits on the top 215 and bottom 216 of the cores 210 while simultaneously filling the holes 214 to make the required connection between the top 215 and bottom 216 sides.
  • Novel Employment of Ampere's Law
  • The embodiments of the invention described above, with conductive vias through the magnetic slab, employ Ampere's Law in a very novel manner. The vias are formed in such fashion as to allow a flux path to exist between two windings formed on the substrate. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3A, any enclosed path that falls within the inner vias 68 will encompass zero net current, therefore such paths will have no magnetic flux. Any path that encompasses the outer vias 56 will also encompass zero net current because the inner holes 68 have an equal but opposite current flow to the current flowing in the outer holes 56 creating zero magnetic flux in the region encompassing the outer vias 56. However, the enclosed paths between the inner and outer vias 68, 56 will have a net magnetic flux due to the enclosure of the inner vias 68. Other paths that partially enclose inner or outer vias 68, 56 will not have significant magnetic flux because the flux will select the shortest physical path, similar to electrical current. Thus, this configuration will behave very similar to the toroid of FIG. 2, and is shown as a virtual toroid 62.
  • It will be apparent that the proper selection of via holes enables many different shapes of virtual cores and arrangements of cores on substrates. Thus, many independent magnetic circuits can be constructed on the same substrate. Because of this, it is possible to construct more complex circuits than simple inductors and transformers by the appropriate placement of vias and circuit conductors on the top and bottom surfaces 52, 54 of the ferromagnetic slab 50 shown in FIG. 3. Using, for example, processes employed in conventional PCB and FLEX (flexible circuit boards) industries (photo-deposition, etching, and plating) multiple components such as resistors, capacitors and integrated circuits can be placed on the same substrate to form micro-miniature circuit assemblies.
  • Inductors and transformers useful for high frequency circuits such as are used for radio frequencies, typical ranges being 100 KHz to 100 MHz, can be constructed in accordance with the foregoing embodiments. The ferromagnetic slab 50 is advantageously formed of a thin layer of ferrite material having typical permeabilities in the range of 100 to 10,000 and resistivity in the range of 1,000 ohm/cm to 109 ohm/cm. Typical ferrite compositions include ferric oxide and alnico. Such ferrite materials have a sufficiently high resistivity such that the plated vias through the slab are insulated one of the other. The transformers and inductors so constructed are adapted for miniaturization. They eliminate the need for complicated pins or lead-frames. Thus, a slab 1.5 inches long, 1 inch wide and 0.05 inches thick with 0.03 inch diameter vias can provide the core for two or more transformers. The ferromagnetic slabs may be very small. Surface pads on the top and bottom surfaces form the connections, and can be surface mounted directly to PCB's, thus reducing the footprint of the device and making more room for other components. The plotted windings are substantially in two parallel planes. Therefore the windings of a ten (10) layer planar transformer device, a typical application, can be reduced in overall height by a factor of five (5). The ferromagnetic slab may be very thin, e.g., 0.05 inches, so that the inductors and transformers of the invention may be constructed substantially in one very thin plane instead of a three-dimensional E core construction further reducing the overall height by a large factor.
  • Further Preferred Embodiments of Transformer/Inductor Devices Having High Flex Densities and Minimal Eddy Current
  • Many inductive devices such as low frequency power transformers require cores having relatively high relative permeabilities typically in the range of 10,000 to 100,000. However, the improvements afforded by the preferred embodiments are applicable to lower and higher values, e.g., a range of 1,000 to 1,000,000. Certain metals and metal alloys provide these high flex densities including steel, iron, silica iron, 78 permalloy, Mumetal, purified iron, and supermalloy. Although these high flex densities can offer distinct advantages in constructing transformers and inductors, the low resistivity of the metals allow induced eddy currents to flow which counteract the benefits of the higher flux densities. The induced eddy currents 300 caused by the magnetic flux flowing in a metal core are illustrated in FIG. 13. Present day transformers/inductors that use metal as a core normally reduce these eddy currents by constructing the toroid or E core out of laminated metal E strips, with each strip separated by some type of dielectric bonding material. The entire E core contains many such strips to form the full core. By means of this configuration the eddy current is limited to the cross section area of each strip. As described below, a significant feature of this invention is to further reduce the core section areas.
  • The fabrication of one embodiment of this invention enabling use of ferromagnetic metal for the core material is illustrated in FIGS. 14-18 wherein a flex circuit or printed circuit board 290 supports a series of laminated thin metal annular rings formed on FLEX or PCB and separated by dielectric sheets. Plated via holes within the center and outside of the annular rings and plated complete the electrical turns around the core. As described below, this embodiment substantially minimizes eddy current by substantially reducing the cross sectional area of each laminated core section.
  • A plurality of core laminations are formed by first laminating the sheets of ferromagnetic metal to a PCB or FLEX 290 and then etching away portions of the ferromagnetic sheet to form a pattern of a plurality of closely spaced, narrow continuous core segments. Thus, FIG. 14 shows an individual layer of PCB or FLEX 310 with 16 etched core arrays. It will be understood that the lamination and etching processes known in the art will generally permit manufacture of more than 16 such arrays depending upon the size of the array and pattern. Advantageously, the core arrays 315 are etched using well known double-sided processes so that identical arrays are formed on both the top and bottom of sheet 310.
  • An enlarged view of a single core array 315 is illustrated in FIG. 15 which shows an array having 16 concentric ferromagnetic electrically conductive metal rings 320 a-320 p insulated from each other by the respective etched out spaces or voids 325 a-325 o. Likewise, the area 330 outside the array 315 and the area 335 within the innermost ring 320 are void of magnetic material. This invention, however, is not limited to a concentric ring array and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other core arrays may be constructed such as a series of successively larger squares or rectangles insulated one from the other.
  • The next fabrication step is to stack a plurality of the PCB and FLEX layers 310 with the arrays 315 substantially in alignment. As shown in FIG. 16A, core arrays of concentric rings 315 a-315 h are stacked one on top of each other with the core patterns on each layer in alignment. The result is the fabrication of a plurality of high flux carrying metal cores having very small eddy current areas. Thus, the thickness of the original sheet used to etch the arrays 315 can be very thin, typically in the range of 0.0005″ to 0.010″ inches. The concentric rings can be etched using conventional PCB or FLEX (FPC) etching techniques to very narrow widths on the order of 0.002″ to 0.003″ . As a result, referring to the cross-sectional eddy current producing areas of the core are very drastically reduced in size.
  • As part of the stacking process, a thin layer of dielectric material 340 is placed adjacent to the top surface of each etched concentric ring array 315. Typically, an epoxy material is used. This dielectric sheet and the dielectric sheet supporting the etched ferromagnetic rings may be of different materials. Representative materials include epoxies and acrylics manufactured by Dupont and Rogers Corp. for manufacturing of PCB boards and FLEX. Epoxies and prepregs (and epoxies with glass) are generally used to construct PCB boards and acrylics are generally used to manufacture FLEX. During the laminating process, the voids 325, voids 330 and voids 335 shown in FIG. 15 are filled with dielectric material 340 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B.
  • As described above, the electrical windings of the preferred embodiments of this invention are advantageously provided by conductive through hole vias in contact with printed circuitry on both sides of the core structures. The fabrication steps for windings of the embodiments of FIGS. 14-18 is shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A and 18B.
  • Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, additional layers of copper 350, 355 are respectively laminated on the top and bottom surfaces along with two additional layers of dielectrics 360, 365 separating the copper surfaces from the etched metal surfaces.
  • The completed structure is illustrated in FIG. 18A and 18B with via holes 370 drilled through the entire laminated array. These vias are located proximate to, but typically not in contact with the low resistivity ferromagnetic rings so as to electrically insulate the windings turns provided by the plated vias. These holes 370 are then plated with a electrically conductive material, typically copper. Conductive inks and conductive pastes within the via holes may also be employed. The copper layers 350, 355 are then etched to form circuit patterns in electrical contact with the plated through holes 370 for forming windings around the concentric ring core arrays 315.
  • The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrates, for simplicity of illustration, a small number of via holes 370 a, 370 b, 370 c and 370 d for each transformer. It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that the embodiments of FIGS. 14-18 can have multiple windings by adding additional through holes. If necessary, additional copper layers may be stacked on layers 350, 355 to provide the requisite connections to additional through holes.
  • Individual transformers and inductor devices are extracted from the laminated array of FIGS. 18A, 18B by the usual methods of “die” cutting or routing the parts from the array. Each such device can be used as a replacement for the traditional inductive devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 13. Also, because the etched metal core is part of an array such as shown in FIG. 16, it can be interconnected to other components.
  • The Advantages of the Preferred Embodiments
  • One Piece Core:
  • In E core construction, as shown in FIG. 1, a gap forms between the E core and the cap which can not be avoided. Most transformers use an E type core that requires one half of the core be joined to the other using, for example, epoxies and clamps. These processes are time-consuming, introduce losses, and cause variances in the parameters of the devices due to the resulting gap between the E core and the cap. In contrast, the cores of the preferred embodiments of this invention are a continuous piece, thereby providing improving transformer efficiency. The one-piece design also eliminates the need to join two separate pieces together in a separate processing step.
  • If an intentional gap is desired in the embodiments of FIGS. 14-18 to avoid magnetic saturation, a separation can be etched in each of the concentric rings shown in FIG. 15. Such etched gap rings eliminate the large variations of the traditional mechanical separation of the E cores.
  • Reduction of Eddy Currents:
  • Inductors and transformers constructed in the manner of FIGS. 14-18 offer superior performance with much less eddy current by segregating the metal lamination in two directions. This results because the preferred embodiment shown has a core which is both thinner than conventional laminated cores by virtue of the fact (a) that the sheets of metal, from which the rings 320 are etched, can be much thinner using PCB or FLEX fabrication materials and (b) the individual insulated rings 320 may be made very narrow. Since eddy currents are proportional to the square of the segment cross section area, the preferred embodiments dramatically reduce eddy currents compared to traditional methods of making transformers or inductors. For example, referring to traditional E core shown in FIG. 1, the metal laminates of this core cannot be separated in two directions because the strips would fall apart or simply not have mechanical integrity.
  • Surface Mount:
  • Windings formed in accordance with the preferred embodiments can be formed into surface mount leads without the need for separate lead-frame constructions, complicated pinning or end plating.
  • Interconnection:
  • Because the etched transformers/inductors are manufactured employing identical processes used to manufacture PCB's or FPC's, the transformers can advantageously be an integral part of the power supply or circuit assembly thereby reducing the physical size, reducing the connections, and, in general, making the assembly more compact and smaller. Circuit components can be placed directly above or below the etched transformer, using the transformer area as the carrier for the balance of the circuitry so that the area of the entire circuit would be as small as the area of the transformer.
  • Magnetically Sound:
  • Cores constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments offer a more efficient flux path with fewer losses than traditional transformers. These characteristics more closely resemble a toroid in design and function. The magnetic flux path is shorter than comparable transformers using traditional cores such as E-Cores and PQ Cores.
  • Size:
  • The preferred embodiments can be made smaller because they do not require complicated pins or lead-frames. Surface pads on the top and bottom surfaces form the connection themselves and they can be surface mounted directly to PCB's thus reducing the footprint of the device and making more room for other components. Windings are in 2 planes therefore the windings of a ten- (10) layer planar transformer device, a typical application, can be reduced in overall height by a factor of five (5). The “core” is in one plane instead of a three-dimensional E core construction further reducing the overall height by a large factor.
  • Cost:
  • The preferred embodiments can be made from flex circuits and much less expensive to manufacture than multi-layer planar windings. Also eliminating and the need for lead-frame's, potting, and cap gluing thus making the device easier to manufacture.
  • Heat Removal:
  • A significant feature of inductors and transformers constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention is that the heat generating windings of are not buried within an assembly or wound on top of each other as in traditional transformers nor are they stacked together as in planar transformers. Instead, the plated windings substantially reside on the top and bottom planes of the transformer or inductor device. This layout offers superior heat dissipation with no trapped heat buried within windings. The PCB can be advantageously attached to a heat sink, separated only by a thin solder mask typically only 0.005 inches thick, placing half of the windings in thermal contact with the heat sink, thereby offering a superior surface area to heat ratio. FIG. 12 shows one example of a large surface area 230 for excellent heat removal directly mounted to a heat sink 232 such as copper and aluminum.
  • While the invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be defined only in accordance with the claims that follow.

Claims (30)

1. (canceled)
2. A miniature inductor/transformer having minimal eddy current effects comprising:
a stack of a plurality of substantially identical thin concentric ferromagnetic rings respectively separated by their dielectric layers;
a first printed circuit and a second printed circuit on opposite sides of said stack of the concentric ferromagnetic rings; and
conductive via holes through said stack in electrical contact with said printed circuits, the axis of said via holes being substantially parallel to the center axis of said concentric rings.
3. A miniature inductor/transformer comprising:
a thin layer of ferromagnetic ferrite material on a substrate; and
a plurality of plated vias through said ferrite material, said vias providing electrical windings of said inductor/transformer.
4. A method for making a miniature inductor/transformer comprising:
forming a thin layer of ferromagnetic on a thin sheet of insulating material;
laminating said sheet having said layer of ferromagnetic material between first and second thin sheets;
forming through holes through said laminated sheets;
plating electrically conductive material within said through holes, forming a printed electrical circuit on said first and second thin sheets in electrical contact with said conductive through holes, said printed circuitry providing a portion of an electrical winding of the inductor/transformer.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said sheets are printed circuit boards.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein said sheets are flex circuits.
7. The method of making a plurality of miniature inductor/transformers comprising:
laminating a plurality of spaced ferromagnetic cores with top and bottom layers of circuitry.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said top and bottom layers are sheets of flex circuits.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein said top and bottom layers are printed circuit boards.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein vias are formed in said ferromagnetic cores during fabrication of said cores from ferrite material.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein vias are formed by drilling through said ferromagnetic cores after fabrication of said cores.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein said cores are formed within through holes, and using a conducive ink process to form, circuitry on the top and bottom of said cures and through said holes.
13. A method for making a miniature inductor/transformer comprising:
forming a first thin sheet having a printed electrical circuit thereon,;
forming a second thin sheet having a printed circuit thereon;
laminating said sheet having said layer of ferromagnetic material between said first and second thin sheets;
forming through holes through said laminated sheets; and
plating electrically conductive material within said through holes in electrical contact with said printed circuitry on said first and second thin sheets, said conductive through holes providing a portion of an electrical winding of the inductor/transformer.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said sheets are printed circuit boards.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said sheets are flex circuits.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. A method for making devices for use in printed circuit board design comprising;
printing a circuit pattern onto said circuit board;
forming holes which go through said circuit board;
filling said holes with a conductive material; and
using the connections and said pattern such that a device is created which uses said circuit board as a magnetic core.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the introduction of a ferromagnetic substrate into said printed circuit board, and the formation of said holes through said substrate.
28. An inductor or transformer comprising:
a slab of magnetic material having a series of spaced holes therethrough;
an electrically conductor material within said holes, and
electrical printed circuits located on the top and bottom surfaces of said slab respectively in electrical contact with said conductive material.
29. A method for making a miniature inductor/transformer having minimal eddy current effects comprising:
etching a thin sheet of ferromagnetic metal to form a plural array of ten or more concentric narrow continuous rings of said ferromagnetic metal;
stacking four or more of said arrays separated by a dielectric material to form a plurality of cores, said cores so constructed having a very small cross-sectional area defined by the thickness of the sheet of ferromagnetic material and the width of said concentric narrow rings so as to minimize the eddy current effect;
laminating said stack of arrays between copper sheets;
forming said copper sheets into printed circuits;
forming vias through said printed circuits proximate said laminated ferromagnetic arrays; and
plating said vias in electrical contact with said printed circuitry to form electrical windings.
30. A method for making a miniature inductor/transformer comprising:
forming a thin layer of a ferromagnetic on a thin sheet of insulating material;
etching said thin layer to form ten or more thin discrete continuous ferromagnetic members;
forming a first thin sheet having a printed electrical circuit thereon
forming a second thin sheet having a printed circuit thereon;
stacking four or more of said sheets having said etched ferromagnetic material members between said first and second thin sheets;
forming through holes through said laminated sheets; and plating electrically conductive material within said through holes in electrical contact with said printed circuitry on said first and second thin sheets, said conductive through holes providing a portion of an electrical winding of the inductor/transformer.
US10/994,902 2000-09-22 2004-11-22 Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same Abandoned US20050093672A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/994,902 US20050093672A1 (en) 2000-09-22 2004-11-22 Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23463600P 2000-09-22 2000-09-22
US23735600P 2000-09-27 2000-09-27
US09/961,789 US6820321B2 (en) 2000-09-22 2001-09-24 Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices
US10/994,902 US20050093672A1 (en) 2000-09-22 2004-11-22 Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/961,789 Division US6820321B2 (en) 2000-09-22 2001-09-24 Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050093672A1 true US20050093672A1 (en) 2005-05-05

Family

ID=26928142

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/961,789 Expired - Fee Related US6820321B2 (en) 2000-09-22 2001-09-24 Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices
US10/994,902 Abandoned US20050093672A1 (en) 2000-09-22 2004-11-22 Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/961,789 Expired - Fee Related US6820321B2 (en) 2000-09-22 2001-09-24 Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (2) US6820321B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1325545A4 (en)
JP (1) JP4247518B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1261753C (en)
AU (1) AU2001294646A1 (en)
TW (1) TWI258154B (en)
WO (1) WO2002025797A2 (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050034297A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2005-02-17 Harding Philip A. Slot core transformers
US20060132276A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2006-06-22 Harding Philip A Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US20060152322A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-07-13 Whittaker Ronald W Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US20080246575A1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2008-10-09 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Transformer
US7436282B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2008-10-14 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US7645941B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2010-01-12 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Shielded flexible circuits and methods for manufacturing same
US20100321909A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2010-12-23 American Technical Ceramics, Corp. Ultra-wideband assembly system and method
US9324779B2 (en) 2013-10-25 2016-04-26 Qualcomm Incorporated Toroid inductor in an integrated device
TWI557759B (en) * 2015-04-10 2016-11-11 台達電子工業股份有限公司 Integrated inductor and integrated inductor magnetic core of the same
WO2019145806A1 (en) * 2018-01-26 2019-08-01 International Business Machines Corporation Creating inductors, resistors, capacitors and other structures in printed circuit board vias with light pipe technology
US10763028B2 (en) 2015-04-10 2020-09-01 Delta Electronics, Inc. Magnetic component and magnetic core of the same
US10834830B2 (en) 2019-02-13 2020-11-10 International Business Machines Corporation Creating in-via routing with a light pipe
US11443885B2 (en) * 2018-03-12 2022-09-13 Intel Corporation Thin film barrier seed metallization in magnetic-plugged through hole inductor

Families Citing this family (50)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4247518B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2009-04-02 エム−フレクス マルティ−ファインライン エレクトロニクス インコーポレイテッド Small inductor / transformer and manufacturing method thereof
US7016027B2 (en) * 2003-05-08 2006-03-21 Infineon Technologies Ag System and method for quantifying errors in an alternating phase shift mask
US7307502B2 (en) * 2003-07-16 2007-12-11 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Power inductor with reduced DC current saturation
US7489219B2 (en) * 2003-07-16 2009-02-10 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Power inductor with reduced DC current saturation
US7023313B2 (en) * 2003-07-16 2006-04-04 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Power inductor with reduced DC current saturation
US6927663B2 (en) * 2003-07-23 2005-08-09 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Flyback transformer wire attach method to printed circuit board
US7760525B2 (en) * 2003-08-21 2010-07-20 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Voltage regulator
US7872454B2 (en) * 2003-08-21 2011-01-18 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Digital low dropout regulator
US6990729B2 (en) * 2003-09-05 2006-01-31 Harris Corporation Method for forming an inductor
US7196607B2 (en) * 2004-03-26 2007-03-27 Harris Corporation Embedded toroidal transformers in ceramic substrates
US8324872B2 (en) 2004-03-26 2012-12-04 Marvell World Trade, Ltd. Voltage regulator with coupled inductors having high coefficient of coupling
US7353586B2 (en) * 2004-04-26 2008-04-08 Siemens Power Generation, Inc. Method of horizontally stacking a stator core within a stator frame
US7190152B2 (en) * 2004-07-13 2007-03-13 Marvell World Trade Ltd. Closed-loop digital control system for a DC/DC converter
US7612641B2 (en) * 2004-09-21 2009-11-03 Pulse Engineering, Inc. Simplified surface-mount devices and methods
US7164584B2 (en) * 2004-10-19 2007-01-16 Honeywell International Inc. Modular heatsink, electromagnetic device incorporating a modular heatsink and method of cooling an electromagnetic device using a modular heatsink
US8031033B2 (en) * 2005-11-30 2011-10-04 Avocent Corporation Printed multilayer solenoid delay line having at least two sub-sets with different patterns
US7423508B2 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-09-09 Intel Corporation Control of eddy currents in magnetic vias for inductors and transformers in integrated circuits
US7821374B2 (en) * 2007-01-11 2010-10-26 Keyeye Communications Wideband planar transformer
US7304558B1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2007-12-04 Harris Corporation Toroidal inductor design for improved Q
US8089331B2 (en) * 2009-05-12 2012-01-03 Raytheon Company Planar magnetic structure
FR2979792B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2013-10-11 Commissariat Energie Atomique CURRENT SENSOR
FR2979787B1 (en) 2011-09-07 2013-10-11 Commissariat Energie Atomique PRINTED CIRCUIT AND MAGNETIC FIELD OR CURRENT SENSOR
JP6256820B2 (en) * 2012-03-26 2018-01-10 住友電工プリントサーキット株式会社 Flexible printed wiring board and method for manufacturing the flexible printed wiring board
JP5904638B2 (en) * 2012-04-11 2016-04-13 株式会社日本マイクロニクス Multilayer wiring board and manufacturing method thereof
US9640602B2 (en) * 2012-10-19 2017-05-02 Infineon Technologies Austria Ag Semiconductor device including magnetically coupled monolithic integrated coils
US8723052B1 (en) 2013-02-27 2014-05-13 Boulder Wind Power, Inc. Methods and apparatus for optimizing electrical interconnects on laminated composite assemblies
US8785784B1 (en) 2013-03-13 2014-07-22 Boulder Wind Power, Inc. Methods and apparatus for optimizing structural layout of multi-circuit laminated composite assembly
US20220076869A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2022-03-10 Qorvo Us, Inc. Advanced 3d inductor structures with confined magnetic field
US10141107B2 (en) 2013-10-10 2018-11-27 Analog Devices, Inc. Miniature planar transformer
CN104681232A (en) * 2013-12-03 2015-06-03 北京嘉岳同乐极电子有限公司 Mini-type inductor and manufacturing method thereof
US9793775B2 (en) 2013-12-31 2017-10-17 Boulder Wind Power, Inc. Methods and apparatus for reducing machine winding circulating current losses
CN103811151B (en) * 2014-03-06 2016-09-28 上海卓凯电子科技有限公司 Inductance element and manufacture method thereof
JP6284797B2 (en) * 2014-03-20 2018-02-28 新光電気工業株式会社 Inductor, coil substrate, and method of manufacturing coil substrate
US9959967B2 (en) 2014-05-15 2018-05-01 Analog Devices, Inc. Magnetic devices and methods for manufacture using flex circuits
DE102014210013A1 (en) * 2014-05-26 2015-11-26 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Magnetic board and method for its manufacture
US9520793B2 (en) 2014-09-22 2016-12-13 Raytheon Company Stacked power converter assembly
US10468181B1 (en) 2015-08-10 2019-11-05 Vlt, Inc. Self-aligned planar magnetic structure and method
US9685880B2 (en) 2015-09-28 2017-06-20 Apple Inc. Power converters
US10050438B2 (en) 2015-10-16 2018-08-14 Raytheon Company Stacked power converter assembly
US10049810B2 (en) 2015-11-09 2018-08-14 Raytheon Company High voltage high frequency transformer
US11600432B2 (en) 2016-02-24 2023-03-07 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Substrate-embedded transformer with improved isolation
US10050533B2 (en) 2016-07-26 2018-08-14 Raytheon Company High voltage high frequency transformer
DE102017109499A1 (en) * 2017-05-03 2018-11-08 Valeo Siemens Eautomotive Germany Gmbh inverter
US10672553B2 (en) 2017-05-10 2020-06-02 Raytheon Company High voltage high frequency transformer
CN110416772A (en) * 2018-04-29 2019-11-05 深南电路股份有限公司 A kind of connector and electronic device
US11694832B2 (en) 2019-02-01 2023-07-04 Raytheon Company High voltage high frequency transformer
US11271490B1 (en) 2019-07-29 2022-03-08 Vicor Corporation Multi-cell power converter
US11870340B1 (en) 2019-07-29 2024-01-09 Vicor Corporation Multi-cell power converter
DE202020001160U1 (en) 2020-03-16 2020-04-16 Michael Dienst Electrical coil former for lifting machines
RU2746054C1 (en) * 2020-11-11 2021-04-06 Российская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Государственная корпорация по атомной энергии "Росатом" (Госкорпорация "Росатом") Method for producing a planar transformer based on multi-layer pcb

Citations (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3372358A (en) * 1966-04-12 1968-03-05 Itt Film transformers
US3583066A (en) * 1967-07-17 1971-06-08 Csf Method of making laminated integrated magnetic elements
US3684991A (en) * 1971-07-12 1972-08-15 High Voltage Power Corp Electromagnetic induction apparatus
US3765082A (en) * 1972-09-20 1973-10-16 San Fernando Electric Mfg Method of making an inductor chip
US3898595A (en) * 1970-11-02 1975-08-05 Cunningham Corp Magnetic printed circuit
US4253079A (en) * 1979-04-11 1981-02-24 Amnon Brosh Displacement transducers employing printed coil structures
US4253231A (en) * 1977-01-13 1981-03-03 Compagnie Industrielle Des Telecommunications Cit-Alcatel Method of making an inductive circuit incorporated in a planar circuit support member
US4383235A (en) * 1979-07-30 1983-05-10 Layton Wilbur T Bi level etched magnetic coil
US4547705A (en) * 1982-03-20 1985-10-15 Tdk Corporation Discharge lamp lightening device
US4622627A (en) * 1984-02-16 1986-11-11 Theta-J Corporation Switching electrical power supply utilizing miniature inductors integrally in a PCB
US4665357A (en) * 1984-04-23 1987-05-12 Edward Herbert Flat matrix transformer
US4800461A (en) * 1987-11-02 1989-01-24 Teledyne Industries, Inc. Multilayer combined rigid and flex printed circuits
US4901048A (en) * 1985-06-10 1990-02-13 Williamson Windings Inc. Magnetic core multiple tap or windings devices
US5070317A (en) * 1989-01-17 1991-12-03 Bhagat Jayant K Miniature inductor for integrated circuits and devices
US5126714A (en) * 1990-12-20 1992-06-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Integrated circuit transformer
US5257000A (en) * 1992-02-14 1993-10-26 At&T Bell Laboratories Circuit elements dependent on core inductance and fabrication thereof
US5300911A (en) * 1991-07-10 1994-04-05 International Business Machines Corporation Monolithic magnetic device with printed circuit interconnections
US5392020A (en) * 1992-12-14 1995-02-21 Chang; Kern K. N. Flexible transformer apparatus particularly adapted for high voltage operation
US5430613A (en) * 1993-06-01 1995-07-04 Eaton Corporation Current transformer using a laminated toroidal core structure and a lead frame
US5514337A (en) * 1994-01-11 1996-05-07 American Research Corporation Of Virginia Chemical sensor using eddy current or resonant electromagnetic circuit detection
US5532667A (en) * 1992-07-31 1996-07-02 Hughes Aircraft Company Low-temperature-cofired-ceramic (LTCC) tape structures including cofired ferromagnetic elements, drop-in components and multi-layer transformer
US5781091A (en) * 1995-07-24 1998-07-14 Autosplice Systems Inc. Electronic inductive device and method for manufacturing
US5802702A (en) * 1994-06-30 1998-09-08 Lucent Technologies Inc. Method of making a device including a metallized magnetic substrate
US5877669A (en) * 1995-11-30 1999-03-02 Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd. Flyback transformer having a flexible coil winding structure and manufacturing process thereof
US5884990A (en) * 1996-08-23 1999-03-23 International Business Machines Corporation Integrated circuit inductor
US5898991A (en) * 1997-01-16 1999-05-04 International Business Machines Corporation Methods of fabrication of coaxial vias and magnetic devices
US5942965A (en) * 1996-09-13 1999-08-24 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Multilayer substrate
US5959846A (en) * 1996-12-26 1999-09-28 Citizen Electronics, Co., Ltd. Modular surface mount circuit device and a manufacturing method thereof
US5996214A (en) * 1995-02-15 1999-12-07 Electronic Craftsmen Method of assembling a transformer
US6040753A (en) * 1999-04-06 2000-03-21 Lockheed Martin Corp. Ultra-low-profile tube-type magnetics
US6073339A (en) * 1996-09-20 2000-06-13 Tdk Corporation Of America Method of making low profile pin-less planar magnetic devices
US6211767B1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2001-04-03 Rompower Inc. High power planar transformer
US6222733B1 (en) * 1997-05-27 2001-04-24 Melcher A.G. Device and method for cooling a planar inductor
US6262463B1 (en) * 1999-07-08 2001-07-17 Integrated Micromachines, Inc. Micromachined acceleration activated mechanical switch and electromagnetic sensor
US6270375B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2001-08-07 Seagate Technology Llc Low inductance flex-to-PCB spring connector for a disc drive
US6278354B1 (en) * 1998-04-02 2001-08-21 Motorola, Inc. Planar transformer having integrated cooling features
US6329606B1 (en) * 1996-04-24 2001-12-11 Amkor Technology, Inc. Grid array assembly of circuit boards with singulation grooves
US6383033B1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2002-05-07 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Side load electrical connector
US6593836B1 (en) * 1998-10-20 2003-07-15 Vlt Corporation Bobbins, transformers, magnetic components, and methods
US20040135662A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2004-07-15 Harding Philip A. Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US6820321B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2004-11-23 M-Flex Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices
US20050034297A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2005-02-17 Harding Philip A. Slot core transformers

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS55110009A (en) * 1979-02-16 1980-08-25 Tohoku Metal Ind Ltd Inductance element
DE3165884D1 (en) 1980-02-01 1984-10-18 Hasler Ag Pulse transformer and its use as isolation transformer
US4799119A (en) 1986-09-10 1989-01-17 International Business Machines Corporation Flexible circuit magnetic core winding for a core member
US5349743A (en) * 1991-05-02 1994-09-27 At&T Bell Laboratories Method of making a multilayer monolithic magnet component
GB2263582B (en) * 1992-01-21 1995-11-01 Dale Electronics Laser-formed electrical component and method for making same
DE19639881C2 (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-05-20 Siemens Matsushita Components Method of manufacturing an inductive component
JPH1140915A (en) * 1997-05-22 1999-02-12 Nec Corp Printed wiring board
US6007758A (en) * 1998-02-10 1999-12-28 Lucent Technologies Inc. Process for forming device comprising metallized magnetic substrates
TW432412B (en) 1999-11-15 2001-05-01 Compeq Mfg Co Ltd Method for fabricating built-in printed circuit board inductor and transformer

Patent Citations (44)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3372358A (en) * 1966-04-12 1968-03-05 Itt Film transformers
US3583066A (en) * 1967-07-17 1971-06-08 Csf Method of making laminated integrated magnetic elements
US3898595A (en) * 1970-11-02 1975-08-05 Cunningham Corp Magnetic printed circuit
US3684991A (en) * 1971-07-12 1972-08-15 High Voltage Power Corp Electromagnetic induction apparatus
US3765082A (en) * 1972-09-20 1973-10-16 San Fernando Electric Mfg Method of making an inductor chip
US4253231A (en) * 1977-01-13 1981-03-03 Compagnie Industrielle Des Telecommunications Cit-Alcatel Method of making an inductive circuit incorporated in a planar circuit support member
US4253079A (en) * 1979-04-11 1981-02-24 Amnon Brosh Displacement transducers employing printed coil structures
US4383235A (en) * 1979-07-30 1983-05-10 Layton Wilbur T Bi level etched magnetic coil
US4547705A (en) * 1982-03-20 1985-10-15 Tdk Corporation Discharge lamp lightening device
US4622627A (en) * 1984-02-16 1986-11-11 Theta-J Corporation Switching electrical power supply utilizing miniature inductors integrally in a PCB
US4665357A (en) * 1984-04-23 1987-05-12 Edward Herbert Flat matrix transformer
US4901048A (en) * 1985-06-10 1990-02-13 Williamson Windings Inc. Magnetic core multiple tap or windings devices
US4800461A (en) * 1987-11-02 1989-01-24 Teledyne Industries, Inc. Multilayer combined rigid and flex printed circuits
US5070317A (en) * 1989-01-17 1991-12-03 Bhagat Jayant K Miniature inductor for integrated circuits and devices
US5126714A (en) * 1990-12-20 1992-06-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Integrated circuit transformer
US5300911A (en) * 1991-07-10 1994-04-05 International Business Machines Corporation Monolithic magnetic device with printed circuit interconnections
US5487214A (en) * 1991-07-10 1996-01-30 International Business Machines Corp. Method of making a monolithic magnetic device with printed circuit interconnections
US5257000A (en) * 1992-02-14 1993-10-26 At&T Bell Laboratories Circuit elements dependent on core inductance and fabrication thereof
US5532667A (en) * 1992-07-31 1996-07-02 Hughes Aircraft Company Low-temperature-cofired-ceramic (LTCC) tape structures including cofired ferromagnetic elements, drop-in components and multi-layer transformer
US5392020A (en) * 1992-12-14 1995-02-21 Chang; Kern K. N. Flexible transformer apparatus particularly adapted for high voltage operation
US5430613A (en) * 1993-06-01 1995-07-04 Eaton Corporation Current transformer using a laminated toroidal core structure and a lead frame
US5514337A (en) * 1994-01-11 1996-05-07 American Research Corporation Of Virginia Chemical sensor using eddy current or resonant electromagnetic circuit detection
US5802702A (en) * 1994-06-30 1998-09-08 Lucent Technologies Inc. Method of making a device including a metallized magnetic substrate
US5996214A (en) * 1995-02-15 1999-12-07 Electronic Craftsmen Method of assembling a transformer
US5781091A (en) * 1995-07-24 1998-07-14 Autosplice Systems Inc. Electronic inductive device and method for manufacturing
US6148500A (en) * 1995-07-24 2000-11-21 Autosplice Systems Inc. Electronic inductive device and method for manufacturing
US5877669A (en) * 1995-11-30 1999-03-02 Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd. Flyback transformer having a flexible coil winding structure and manufacturing process thereof
US6329606B1 (en) * 1996-04-24 2001-12-11 Amkor Technology, Inc. Grid array assembly of circuit boards with singulation grooves
US5884990A (en) * 1996-08-23 1999-03-23 International Business Machines Corporation Integrated circuit inductor
US5942965A (en) * 1996-09-13 1999-08-24 Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Multilayer substrate
US6073339A (en) * 1996-09-20 2000-06-13 Tdk Corporation Of America Method of making low profile pin-less planar magnetic devices
US5959846A (en) * 1996-12-26 1999-09-28 Citizen Electronics, Co., Ltd. Modular surface mount circuit device and a manufacturing method thereof
US5898991A (en) * 1997-01-16 1999-05-04 International Business Machines Corporation Methods of fabrication of coaxial vias and magnetic devices
US6222733B1 (en) * 1997-05-27 2001-04-24 Melcher A.G. Device and method for cooling a planar inductor
US6278354B1 (en) * 1998-04-02 2001-08-21 Motorola, Inc. Planar transformer having integrated cooling features
US6270375B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2001-08-07 Seagate Technology Llc Low inductance flex-to-PCB spring connector for a disc drive
US6593836B1 (en) * 1998-10-20 2003-07-15 Vlt Corporation Bobbins, transformers, magnetic components, and methods
US6040753A (en) * 1999-04-06 2000-03-21 Lockheed Martin Corp. Ultra-low-profile tube-type magnetics
US6211767B1 (en) * 1999-05-21 2001-04-03 Rompower Inc. High power planar transformer
US6262463B1 (en) * 1999-07-08 2001-07-17 Integrated Micromachines, Inc. Micromachined acceleration activated mechanical switch and electromagnetic sensor
US20050034297A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2005-02-17 Harding Philip A. Slot core transformers
US6820321B2 (en) * 2000-09-22 2004-11-23 M-Flex Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices
US6383033B1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2002-05-07 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Side load electrical connector
US20040135662A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2004-07-15 Harding Philip A. Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same

Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7477124B2 (en) 2000-05-19 2009-01-13 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Method of making slotted core inductors and transformers
US7178220B2 (en) 2000-05-19 2007-02-20 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Method of making slotted core inductors and transformers
US20070124916A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2007-06-07 Harding Philip A Method of making slotted core inductors and transformers
US20050034297A1 (en) * 2000-05-19 2005-02-17 Harding Philip A. Slot core transformers
US20060132276A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2006-06-22 Harding Philip A Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US7696852B1 (en) 2002-09-16 2010-04-13 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US7135952B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2006-11-14 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US20070056159A1 (en) * 2002-09-16 2007-03-15 Harding Philip A Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US7277002B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2007-10-02 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US7656263B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2010-02-02 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US7436282B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2008-10-14 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US20080017404A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2008-01-24 Whittaker Ronald W Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US20090015364A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2009-01-15 Whittaker Ronald W Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US7602272B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2009-10-13 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US7271697B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2007-09-18 Multi-Fineline Electronix Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US7690110B2 (en) 2004-12-07 2010-04-06 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Methods for manufacturing miniature circuitry and inductive components
US20060152322A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-07-13 Whittaker Ronald W Miniature circuitry and inductive components and methods for manufacturing same
US20080246575A1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2008-10-09 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Transformer
US7667563B2 (en) * 2005-08-30 2010-02-23 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Transformer
US7645941B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2010-01-12 Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc. Shielded flexible circuits and methods for manufacturing same
US8797761B2 (en) 2008-04-04 2014-08-05 John Mruz Ultra-wideband assembly system and method
US20100321909A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2010-12-23 American Technical Ceramics, Corp. Ultra-wideband assembly system and method
US9854665B2 (en) 2008-04-04 2017-12-26 American Technical Ceramics Corp. Ultra-wideband assembly system and method
US10165675B2 (en) 2008-04-04 2018-12-25 American Technical Ceramics Corp. Ultra-wideband assembly system and method
US8072773B2 (en) 2008-04-04 2011-12-06 John Mruz Ultra-wideband assembly system and method
US9324779B2 (en) 2013-10-25 2016-04-26 Qualcomm Incorporated Toroid inductor in an integrated device
US10763028B2 (en) 2015-04-10 2020-09-01 Delta Electronics, Inc. Magnetic component and magnetic core of the same
TWI557759B (en) * 2015-04-10 2016-11-11 台達電子工業股份有限公司 Integrated inductor and integrated inductor magnetic core of the same
US10685769B2 (en) 2015-04-10 2020-06-16 Delta Electronics, Inc. Integrated inductor and integrated inductor magnetic core of the same
WO2019145806A1 (en) * 2018-01-26 2019-08-01 International Business Machines Corporation Creating inductors, resistors, capacitors and other structures in printed circuit board vias with light pipe technology
US10834828B2 (en) 2018-01-26 2020-11-10 International Business Machines Corporation Creating inductors, resistors, capacitors and other structures in printed circuit board vias with light pipe technology
US11864327B2 (en) 2018-01-26 2024-01-02 International Business Machines Corporation Creating inductors, resistors, capacitors and other structures in printed circuit board vias with light pipe technology
US11443885B2 (en) * 2018-03-12 2022-09-13 Intel Corporation Thin film barrier seed metallization in magnetic-plugged through hole inductor
US10834830B2 (en) 2019-02-13 2020-11-10 International Business Machines Corporation Creating in-via routing with a light pipe

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TWI258154B (en) 2006-07-11
EP1325545A4 (en) 2004-11-24
WO2002025797A3 (en) 2002-06-13
CN1261753C (en) 2006-06-28
US20020070831A1 (en) 2002-06-13
EP1325545A2 (en) 2003-07-09
WO2002025797A2 (en) 2002-03-28
JP4247518B2 (en) 2009-04-02
AU2001294646A1 (en) 2002-04-02
JP2004515054A (en) 2004-05-20
US6820321B2 (en) 2004-11-23
CN1466679A (en) 2004-01-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6820321B2 (en) Method of making electronic transformer/inductor devices
US7696852B1 (en) Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
US5487214A (en) Method of making a monolithic magnetic device with printed circuit interconnections
US6996892B1 (en) Circuit board embedded inductor
US6903938B2 (en) Printed circuit board
US8941457B2 (en) Miniature power inductor and methods of manufacture
US7178220B2 (en) Method of making slotted core inductors and transformers
US20150002256A1 (en) Devices and methods related to laminated polymeric planar magnetics
US6727794B2 (en) Apparatus for establishing inductive coupling in an electrical circuit and method of manufacture therefor
JPH06215962A (en) Transformer
CN100511503C (en) Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
TW580712B (en) Electronic transformer/inductor devices and methods for making same
JP2002008922A (en) Coil part
JP2003332130A (en) Laminated chip inductor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION