Passive inductive current balancer for parallel power switches
This technology solves a well-known problem in high-power electronics: when you connect multiple transistors (switches) in parallel to handle more current, they rarely share the load equally, causing some switches to overheat and fail prematurely. The invention uses inductive coupling between the wiring interconnections themselves — essentially turning the layout into a passive balancing mechanism — so that current distributes evenly across parallel switch circuits without added control logic. The balancing happens automatically through the physical geometry of the interconnections, making it simpler and potentially more reliable than active current-sharing approaches. This is relevant wherever parallel switching devices are used in power electronics, including motor drives, power converters, and high-current integrated circuits.
What you could build
A power module or integrated circuit IP block for power electronics manufacturers — particularly in EV inverters, industrial motor drives, or server power supplies — that uses inductively coupled interconnects to achieve passive current balancing, reducing design complexity and improving reliability. Semiconductor IP licensors and power module makers would be the primary buyers.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense electronics primes and power electronics firms in Northern Virginia (e.g., supporting data center power infrastructure) would have direct application 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
- Yincan MAO, Chi-Ming WANG, Zichen MIAO, Khai NGO
- Granted
- February 28, 2017
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9584116
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.