Automated tool for 3D planar magnetic temperature modelling: application to EE and E/PLT core‐based components

Abstract

Thermal performance of power converters is a key issue for the power integration. Temperatures inside active and passive devices can be determined using thermal models. Modelling the temperature distribution of high frequency magnetic components is quite complex due to diversity of their geometries and used materials. This paper presents a thermal modelling method based on lumped elements thermal network model, applied to planar magnetic components made of EE and E/PLT cores. The 3D model is automatically generated from the component's geometry. The computation enables to obtain 3D temperature distribution inside windings and core of planar transformers or inductors, in steady state or in transient case. The paper details the proposed modelling method as well as the automated tool including the problem definition and the solving process. The obtained temperature distributions are compared with Finite Element simulation results and measurements on different planar transformers.

Thermal Resistance Modeling for the Optimal Design of EE and E/PLT Core-Based Planar Magnetics

“…The six first layers form the three turns of the primary winding (two parallel layers by turn) while the six other layers are all parallelized to form the secondary winding. The design of this prototype is presented in [24].…”

Thermal Modeling of Planar Magnetics: Fundamentals, Review and Key Points

“…Another 3D TN was introduced in [42]. The TATPM model for a thermally automated tool for planar magnetics is automatically generated from a matrix description of the geometrical parameters of the windings and planar core (Fig.…”

“…The results indicate that the thermally FIGURE 14. Thermal automated tool for planar magnetics [42] conductive ceramic shim significantly contributed to the temperature reduction. A detailed study of advanced thermal management, in addition to the 2D TN model allowing its modeling, is beneficial for achieving high-power density planar inductors.…”

“…To compare the effectiveness of the thermal resistance networks, the unidimensional TN illustrated in Fig. 10 and the 3D TN introduced in [42] are compared in a planar transformer case study. The latter is based on the E/PLT 58 core combination.…”

“…The model introduced in [42] can be derived from Kirchoff's laws applied to the i th node of the thermal resistance network, as illustrated in Fig. 34:…”