Ferromagnetic Rod Skeleton for Magnetic Core Eddy Current Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ferromagnetic cores in electromagnetic devices suffer from significant eddy current issues due to their electrical conductance, leading to inefficiencies and delayed responses, especially in applications requiring fast magnetic flux changes, and existing solutions either partially address eddy currents or compromise on mechanical properties and material usage.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic core structure comprising a skeleton of ferromagnetic rods produced using additive technologies like SLM or SLS, where the rods are arranged to align with magnetic flux lines, separated by air gaps, and connected by ferromagnetic bridges, allowing for optimized material distribution and mechanical reinforcement through a cellular structure, which can be filled with dielectric material for enhanced performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If ferromagnetic sheets or strips with dielectric layer are used to throttle eddy currents, then eddy current losses are reduced, but the throttling is only effective in one direction and mechanical properties are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current lossesVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The core is divided into multiple discrete ferromagnetic rods arranged in bundles, with air gaps between them. This segmentation approach throtles eddy currents in multiple directions while maintaining mechanical integrity through the rod structure and bridging elements, unlike sheet-based solutions that only throttle in one direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures combining ferromagnetic rods with insulating materials (varnish, oxide layers) and structural bridging elements. This composite approach provides multi-directional eddy current throttling while maintaining mechanical strength, overcoming the limitations of both pure ferromagnetic sheets and ferrite materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If ferrite or SMC materials are used to reduce eddy currents, then eddy current losses are reduced, but mechanical properties are inadequate and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current lossesVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the core into discrete ferromagnetic rods with air gaps between them, the invention achieves multi-directional eddy current throttling using conventional ferromagnetic materials, eliminating the need for ferrite or SMC materials and their associated mechanical property limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If wire bundles with insulating layers are used to throttle eddy currents, then eddy currents are reduced, but the construction is not variable and material optimization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeddy current lossesVSAvoidstructural variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables dynamic optimization of the core structure by varying rod diameter, bundle configuration, and spacing based on local magnetic flux density requirements. This allows material to be concentrated where needed and reduced where unnecessary, achieving both eddy current throttling and material optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the core can have different rod configurations, diameters, and spacing to match the local magnetic flux distribution. This local quality approach optimizes material usage in high-flux regions while reducing material in low-flux regions, unlike uniform wire bundle constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If conventional ferromagnetic materials are used, then good mechanical properties and high permeability are achieved, but eddy current losses are significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoideddy current losses
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The core is segmented into discrete ferromagnetic rods with air gaps between them, which throtles eddy currents in multiple directions while maintaining the advantages of conventional ferromagnetic materials including high permeability and good mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air gaps and insulating layers (varnish, oxide) serve as intermediary elements between ferromagnetic rods, providing electrical insulation to throttle eddy currents while allowing magnetic flux to pass through the ferromagnetic material. This mediator approach preserves the benefits of conventional ferromagnetic materials while eliminating eddy current losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach effectively reduces eddy current losses, maintains high magnetic induction and mechanical strength, and allows for material savings and weight reduction, optimizing the core's structure for efficient operation in electromagnetic devices.

Implementation Method 1

the rods are arranged to align with magnetic flux lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux alignment: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

separated by air gaps, and connected by ferromagnetic bridges, allowing for optimized material distribution and mechanical reinforcement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current suppression: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

The current I(t) then creates a magnetic field that counteracts the magnetic excitation field. The current I(t) going through the core with resistance R causes heat losses.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 4

A magnetic core structure comprising a skeleton of ferromagnetic rods produced using additive technologies like SLM or SLS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelective laser melting: Selective Laser Sintering

Implementation Method 5

produced using additive technologies like SLM or SLS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3373311B1Skeleton for magnetic core and method for manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNE
  • EP3373311B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3373311B1 patent drawingFigure 7
  • EP3373311B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The skeleton for a magnetic core containing extended ferromagnetic elements is formed by a bundle of rods (1) separated by air layers. These rods are spaced apart such that, in each core cross-section, they align with the lines of force of the stationary magnetic flux. Adjacent rods (1) are connected by fixed bridges (2) spaced apart. The method for manufacturing such a skeleton consists of the following steps: - Determining the shape of a rod bundle, the distribution of rods within the bundle, and the cross-sectional shape of individual rods using a numerical method; - Manufacturing the rod bundle using additive manufacturing technology in a 3D printer.