Gapped/ungapped magnetic core

Abstract

The novel magnetic core structure of this invention provides a combination of large differential type inductance and some common mode type inductance while accommodating common mode dc current in two parallel planar conductors such as bus bars or printed circuit lands. This combination of desirable functions is accomplished by incorporating both gapped and ungapped magnetic flux paths into a single core structure. The core structure is composed of two outer posts, two inner posts, and four link segments. The two inner posts of the present core are located in the position of the center leg of a tradiational E--E core structure. Unlike a conventional E--E core, the structural arrangement of the two inner posts provides both a gapped and an ungapped magnetic flux path. The ungapped magnetic flux path travels in a figure eight pattern, encircling each of the windows of the E--E core in one of the loops of the figure eight. The gapped flux path is created by positioning the two inner posts so that is a gap between the two inner posts themselves, and gap between each of the inner posts and one of the adjacent link segments. The gapped flux path is a closed path which passes through the outer posts and directly between the link segments passing across the air gaps in the center legs. This gapped path does not pass through the inner core posts at all.