Compact multiphase voltage regulator with coupled inductors
This patent describes a compact power converter design that uses specially arranged inductors wound around a flat, ladder-shaped magnetic core to efficiently regulate voltage across multiple power phases simultaneously. By winding the inductors in opposite directions (inverse coupling), the design allows each phase to counteract the others' magnetic fluctuations, enabling faster response and lower energy loss. The flat ladder core sits directly on a circuit board, saving space and reducing the copper wire length needed — which directly lowers heat-generating electrical resistance. The result is a smaller, cooler-running, more efficient voltage regulator suitable for powering high-performance processors or other demanding electronics.
What you could build
A compact multiphase voltage regulator module (VRM) for server CPUs, GPUs, or high-performance embedded systems; the primary buyers would be motherboard and power supply manufacturers serving data center and computing hardware OEMs.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense electronics and data center hardware companies in Northern Virginia — including contractors supplying ruggedized computing systems — would have direct interest in compact, efficient power regulation components.
Readiness: Lab validated
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
- Ming Xu, Yan Dong, Fred C. Lee
- Granted
- January 19, 2010
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7649434
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.