Astronics has been granted a patent for a planar transformer with high current capacity windings. The transformer includes a magnetic core with an internal opening, primary and secondary windings arranged in a stack within the opening, and terminal leads interconnected to the windings. The terminal leads have a length, width, and thickness, with the thickness being less than either the length or width. The design allows for efficient power transfer in a compact form. GlobalData’s report on Astronics gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Astronics, smart glasses was a key innovation area identified from patents. Astronics's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Planar transformer with high current capacity windings and terminals
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11670448B2) describes a planar transformer with unique features. The transformer includes a magnetic core with an internal opening, primary planar windings, and secondary planar windings. The secondary windings are arranged in a stack within the internal opening and are open loops with first and second end portions. These end portions are either disposed within or protrude in an outward direction from a front opening on the magnetic core.
One notable aspect of the transformer is the design of the terminals. The first and second terminals are electrically interconnected to the end portions of the secondary windings. Each terminal has two elongated opposed largest surface area faces joined by a narrow width surface. The terminals are arranged in a way that at least one of their largest surface area faces generally faces and is parallel to each other, but not parallel to the plane of the primary or secondary windings.
The patent also mentions the use of notches in the end portions of the secondary windings. These notches are dimensioned to receive the edges of the terminals, providing enhanced retention of the terminals. Additionally, the patent discusses the use of high current capacity windings, which can be made from copper or a copper-base alloy. The primary and secondary windings, as well as the terminals, can be formed from copper layers supported by a dielectric substrate.
The spacing between the faces of the adjacent terminals is specified to be between 0.25 and 6 inches. The patent also mentions the possibility of a third terminal, which would engage with additional slots formed by the notches in the end portions of the secondary windings.
Overall, this patent describes a planar transformer with unique terminal design and features that enhance its performance and efficiency. The use of high current capacity windings and the specific arrangement of the terminals contribute to the transformer's functionality. This innovation could have potential applications in various industries that utilize transformers, such as power electronics and electrical systems.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
