Coupled inductor for high-power interleaved DC-DC converters
This technology improves the efficiency of high-power DC-DC converters—devices that step voltage up or down in electric vehicles, data centers, and industrial equipment—by running multiple power stages in parallel and staggering their switching cycles. The challenge with this approach is that it creates unwanted circulating currents that waste energy and stress components. The invention solves this by using specially designed 'inversely coupled' inductors that cancel out these circulating currents without requiring larger, heavier inductors elsewhere in the circuit. Better still, all the magnetic components can be combined into a single compact unit, reducing size and cost.
What you could build
A drop-in coupled-inductor magnetic component for high-power interleaved DC-DC converters used in EV powertrains, EV charging stations, and data center power supplies; targeted at power electronics module manufacturers and EV/charging infrastructure OEMs.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based defense contractors (Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics), data center operators in Northern Virginia, and AES/Dominion Energy supply-chain partners working on EV charging infrastructure would have direct interest.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- —
- Granted
- August 27, 2019
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 102822
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.