Apparatus and method for thermal management of magnetic devices

摘要

An apparatus includes a coil assembly, a core, and at least one cooling channel. The coil assembly includes at least one winding configured to receive a varying electrical current. The core includes multiple segments, and the at least one winding is wound around portions of the segments and is configured to generate a magnetic flux. The at least one cooling channel is configured to transport coolant through the coil assembly or core in order to cool the coil assembly or core. Portions of the segments of the core can be separated from one another to form multiple cooling channels through the core, and the multiple cooling channels can be configured to transport coolant through the core. The coil assembly may include at least one insulative spacer having multiple cooling channels, and the multiple cooling channels may be configured to transport coolant through the coil assembly.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a coil assembly comprising at least one winding configured to receive a varying electrical current; a core comprising multiple segments, the at least one winding wound around portions of the segments and configured to generate a magnetic flux; and a plurality of cooling channels configured to transport coolant through the coil assembly or core in order to cool the coil assembly or core, wherein the plurality of cooling channels comprises (i) a plurality of first cooling channels that extend in a first direction through the core and (ii) a plurality of second cooling channels formed in gaps between the multiple segments and that extend in a second direction through the core; wherein at least some segments of the core comprise protrusions that contact adjacent segments of the core to maintain separation from the adjacent segments and form the second cooling channels; and wherein the at least one winding extends through the core in a third direction substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions.