Hinged Planar Loop Variable Inductor for Wide-Range RF Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductor technologies face challenges in achieving performance improvements in one parameter (inductance, capacitance, or resistance) while compromising on others, particularly at high power applications, and require additional circuit elements to handle low frequency signals, leading to complex configurations and overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
A variable inductor device with separable planar loops hinged at a pivot point, allowing adjustable separation angles to vary inductance, minimizing resistive loss and operating efficiently across a wide range of frequencies and powers without magnetic materials, thus providing tunable inductance without affecting other network parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vacuum variable capacitor is used in series with a fixed inductor to create a tunable inductor, then inductance tuning capability is achieved, but additional circuit elements are required and DC block occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the variable capacitance function from a separate capacitor component and integrates it directly into the inductor structure through movable cores. This eliminates the need for separate variable capacitors and reduces circuit complexity while maintaining DC continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the inductor and variable capacitor functions into a single integrated device. The movable core structure simultaneously serves as part of the inductor winding support and as the variable capacitance element, merging two functions into one component.
2Reliability
If performance is improved in one parameter (inductance, capacitance, or resistance), then that parameter is optimized, but other parameters are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the core (position, orientation, material properties) to simultaneously optimize inductance, capacitance, and resistance characteristics. By adjusting the core position within the winding, multiple electrical parameters can be tuned together rather than traded off against each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining different materials with complementary properties - ferromagnetic cores for inductance, dielectric materials for capacitance, and conductive materials for minimal resistance. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of multiple parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If series capacitor is added to create DC block, then inductance tuning is enabled, but low frequency signals are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the series capacitor entirely from the circuit by integrating variable capacitance directly into the inductor structure. This eliminates the DC block problem while preserving inductance tuning capability through the movable core mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable core acts as an intermediary element that provides variable capacitance without requiring a separate capacitor component. This intermediate structure enables tuning functionality while maintaining continuous DC signal path, avoiding the blocking effect of series capacitors.
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 device offers a tunable inductance range up to seven times greater than the base value, maintaining low resistive loss and thermal stability, enabling effective impedance matching and circuit tuning in semiconductor manufacturing and RF applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first planar loop comprising a first planar face and a material that supports electromagnetic coupling; a second planar loop comprising a second planar face and a material that supports electromagnetic coupling
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a variable inductor device includes a first planar loop comprising a first planar face and a material that supports electromagnetic coupling and a second planar loop comprising a second planar face and a material that supports electromagnetic coupling. The first planar loop is separable from the second planar loop to vary the inductance of the variable inductance device. In some examples, the first and second planar faces overlapping each other in a closed configuration of the device.