Inductor topologies with substantial common-mode and differential-mode inductance

Abstract

An inductor ( 160 ) includes a core ( 162 ) that has a window ( 164 ). The core ( 162 ) includes a first core member ( 168 ) and a second core member ( 170 ). A first winding ( 176 ) is coupled to the first core member ( 168 ) and a second winding ( 178 ) is coupled to the second core member ( 170 ). A cross-member ( 172, 174 ) is coupled at least partially across the window ( 178 ) and is conductively enabling flux flow between the first core member ( 168 ) and the second core member ( 170 ). An electronic circuit ( 100 ) includes an input terminal ( 118 ), an inductor ( 102 ), and an output terminal (E′, F′). The inductor ( 102 ) is coupled to the input terminal and has only a single inductive core ( 162 ). The inductor ( 102 ) is coupled to filter both common-mode noise and differential-mode noise. The load terminal is coupled to and receives filtered common-mode and differential-mode current from the inductor ( 102 ).

1 . An inductor comprising:
 a core having a window and comprising;
 a first core member; and 
 a second core member; 
   a first winding coupled to said first core member;   a second winding coupled to said second core member; and   at least one cross-member coupled at least partially across said window and conductively enabling flux flow between said first core member and said second core member.   
   
   
       2 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one cross-member is coupled across said first core member and said second core member. 
   
   
       3 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one cross-member is coupled between said first core member and said second core member. 
   
   
       4 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one cross-member comprises:
 a first cross-member coupled across said window between said first core member and said second core member; and   a second cross-member coupled across window between said second core member and said first core member.   
   
   
       5 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said core comprises at least one break. 
   
   
       6 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one cross-member comprises at least one break. 
   
   
       7 . An inductor as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first lateral member coupled to said first core member and said second core member; and   a second lateral member coupled to said first core member and said second core member.   
   
   
       8 . An inductor as in  claim 7  wherein said at least one cross-member is coupled between said first lateral member and said second lateral member. 
   
   
       9 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one cross-member comprises:
 a first cross-member coupling a first input end of said first core member to a second output end of said second core member; and   a second cross-member coupling a second input end of said second core member to a first output end of said first core member.   
   
   
       10 . An inductor as in  claim 9  wherein said core comprises:
 a first break between said first input end and said second output end; and   a second break between said first output end and said second input end.   
   
   
       11 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said first core member and said second core member are integrally formed as a single continuous conductive loop. 
   
   
       12 . An inductor as in  claim 1  wherein said first core member and said second core member form at least one conductive loop having at least one break. 
   
   
       13 . An inductor comprising:
 a core having a window and comprising;
 a first core member; and 
 a second core member; 
   a first flux loop comprising said first core member and having a first winding;   a second flux loop comprising said second core member and having a second winding; and   a third flux loop comprising said first core member and said second core member.   
   
   
       14 . An inductor as in  claim 13  further comprising at least one cross-member coupled at least partially across and conductively enabling flux flow across at least one of said first core member and said second core member. 
   
   
       15 . An inductor as in  claim 13  further comprising a shell at least partially surrounding said core and conductively enabling flux flow through said first flux loop and said second flux loop. 
   
   
       16 . An electronic circuit comprising:
 at least one input terminal;   a single inductor coupled to said at least one input terminal, comprising only a single inductive core, and coupled to filter both common-mode noise and differential-mode noise; and   at least one output terminal coupled to and receiving common-mode and differential-mode filtered current from said inductor.   
   
   
       17 . A circuit as in  claim 16  wherein said inductor comprises:
 a first core member;   a second core member;   a first winding coupled to said first core member;   a second winding coupled to said second core member; and   at least one cross-member coupled at least partially across and conductively enabling flux flow across at least one of said first core member and said second core member.   
   
   
       18 . A circuit as in  claim 16  wherein said inductor comprises:
 a first flux loop comprising a first core member and having a first winding;   a second flux loop comprising a second core member and having a second winding; and   a third flux loop comprising said first core member and said second core member.   
   
   
       19 . A circuit as in  claim 16  further comprising:
 at least one driver coupled to said at least one output terminal; and   at least one motor coupled to said at least one driver.   
   
   
       20 . A circuit as in  claim 16  wherein said inductor comprises at least five magnetic internal flux paths.