I-shaped inductor energy storage

When is maximum energy stored in an inductor?

Maximum energy is stored in an inductor when maximum current density in the winding and maximum flux density in the core occur simultaneously . Maximum current in the winding is always a thermal loss limitation, while core flux may be either loss or saturation limited.

Does a high limit energy storage in a magnetic core?

cso large L values are achieved in small volumes. However, high µ will limit the maximum energy storage in the core with no air gap. Since the magnetic core material itself is incapable of storing significant energy, energy storage is accomplished in a non-magnetic air gap(s) in series with the core.

Can gapped core inductors reduce eddy current winding losses?

There is a significant potential to reduce the eddy current winding losses in gapped core inductors by replacing the air gap with a wider flux path of a distributed gap material.

Why does a Magnetic Inductor have a distributed air gap?

The distributed air gap allows the core to store higher levels of magnetic flux when compared to other magnetic materials, such as ferrites. This characteristic allows a higher dC current level to flow through the inductor before the inductor saturates. The basic raw materials are nickel, iron, and molybdenum.

What causes hysteresis and eddy current loss in inductors?

gfactor Both hysteresis and eddy current core loss effects in inductors are caused by time-varying flux. If an inductor carries a constant dc current below its saturation limit, the core flux will be constant, and the hysteresis and eddy current losses of the core will be zero.

What happens if an inductor carries a constant DC current?

If an inductor carries a constant dc current below its saturation limit, the core flux will be constant, and the hysteresis and eddy current losses of the core will be zero. In practice any switch mode converter has large current ripple in the inductors, at the switching frequency. The flux variation will be follow the AC current.