Current Transformer Core Nanocrystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transformer cores with Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy cores face challenges in achieving high magnetic permeability while minimizing magnetic deviation and maintaining excellent temperature characteristics, which are essential for size reduction and cost-effectiveness in devices like current meters.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method involving the winding or layering of a soft magnetic material layer with a Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy ribbon of specific thickness, subjected to longitudinal-field heat treatment followed by transverse-field heat treatment, to achieve high magnetic permeability with reduced residual magnetic flux density and stable temperature performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a magnetic field is applied in the magnetic path direction during crystallization heat treatment to improve magnetic permeability, then magnetic permeability increases, but residual magnetic flux density increases causing magnetic deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic permeabilityVSAvoidmagnetic deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a magnetic field during the crystallization heat treatment process as a preliminary action to establish favorable magnetic domain structures before the core is put into service. This preliminary magnetic field application during manufacturing ensures that the magnetic permeability is optimized while controlling residual magnetic flux density, thereby preventing magnetic deviation during actual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including the intensity and direction of the applied magnetic field during heat treatment, the heat treatment temperature profile, and the composition of the Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves high magnetic permeability while maintaining low residual magnetic flux density, thus resolving the contradiction between magnetic permeability improvement and magnetic deviation prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If core size is reduced to enable device miniaturization, then device size decreases, but maintaining high magnetic permeability becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore sizeVSAvoidmagnetic permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy with optimized composition and applies controlled heat treatment parameters to achieve high magnetic permeability in small-sized cores. The nanocrystalline structure with grain sizes in the nanometer range provides high permeability even in miniaturized cores, overcoming the typical size-permeability trade-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy which is a composite material with specific microstructure (nanometer-scale crystalline grains in an amorphous matrix). This composite structure provides both high magnetic permeability and suitability for miniaturization, allowing small core sizes while maintaining excellent magnetic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If magnetic permeability is increased to improve sensitivity, then sensitivity increases, but temperature stability of magnetic permeability becomes more challenging to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidtemperature characteristic
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the composition of the Fe-based nanocrystalline alloy and the heat treatment parameters to achieve a balance between high magnetic permeability and temperature stability. By controlling the crystallization process and alloy composition, the patent minimizes the temperature coefficient of permeability, ensuring stable operation across the intended temperature range while maintaining high sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method results in a current transformer core with high magnetic permeability that is resistant to magnetic deviation and exhibits excellent temperature characteristics, enabling improved sensitivity and reduced core size and cost in measurement devices.

Implementation Method 1

performing a heat treatment so as to crystallize the amorphous alloy ribbon, thereby obtaining a core which has a nanocrystalline organization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

applying a magnetic field in a magnetic path direction of the core element in the step of crystallization by a heat treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the ratio of the saturation magnetic flux density Bs and the residual magnetic flux density Br (Br/Bs) is small

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3176797B1Method for manufacturing a current transformer core
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 PROTERIAL LTD
  • EP3176797B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3176797B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3176797B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A manufacturing method of a current transformer core includes: the step of providing a core element formed by winding or layering a Fe-based amorphous alloy ribbon whose thickness is not more than 15 µm and which can be converted into nanocrystals; a longitudinal-field heat treatment step which includes performing a heat treatment on the core element in the presence of a magnetic field of not less than 100 A/m applied in a magnetic path direction of the core element, thereby forming a core; and a transverse-field heat treatment step which includes, after the longitudinal-field heat treatment step, performing a heat treatment on the core in the presence of a magnetic field applied in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic path direction of the core, thereby forming a core. µr(25) is adjusted by the transverse-field heat treatment step to a value between 0.4×µr(max)(25) and 0.9×µr(max)(25) where µr(max)(T) is µr(T) achieved by the longitudinal-field heat treatment step, and µr(T) is an amplitude magnetic permeability of the core measured at a temperature T (°C) in the presence of an AC magnetic field of frequency f=50 Hz and amplitude H=1.0 A/m.