Abstract: A multi-pole magnetic component, such as an inductor, includes z-folded conductive film windings and a core having a plurality of pairs of spaced apart core posts extending between a base plate and a top plate of the core. The core includes an air gap that is distributed substantially evenly along the flux path. Magnetic flux flows through the core posts in a series manner so as to have an opposite flux direction in adjacent poles. Preferably, the air gap is determined such that the ratio of the distance between each adjacent core post and the distance between the base and top plates results in magnetic fields that are substantially tangential to the surface of the conductive film winding. Furthermore, the core posts are preferably shaped to have a larger cross sectional area at the base portion of the posts than at the top portion thereof. Alternatively, the core posts are attached to the bottom plate and are inserted into suitably shaped cut-out portions of the top plate.

Abstract: A power supply for a thruster for space applications (e.g., an arcjet thruster) comprises a series/parallel resonant converter wherein the load quality (Q) factor of the resonant tank circuit inherently varies with arc voltage so as to accommodate changes in arc voltage from initiation thereof through steady-state operation. Effectively, the resonant tank circuit acts as a ballast by matching the arc during initiation thereof through steady-state operation. Furthermore, the resonant converter operates in a soft-switching, low-voltage switched mode so as to maximize efficiency.

Abstract: A distributed power system for providing multiple output voltages, including pulsed voltages, to a solid-state phased-array radar transmit/receive module, for example, includes: an energy-storage capacitor for coupling to an input dc power source and for storing substantial energy at high voltage for supplying pulsed voltages at low voltage; at least one capacitance-multiplying converter, including first and second transformers with multiple secondary windings, for producing positive and negative voltages on buses internal to a power module; and a plurality of series regulators to obtain multiple positive and negative load voltages, including pulsed voltages, from the positive and negative bus voltages. Substantial energy storage is achieved within the power module; and, if even more energy storage is desired, an additional external energy-storage capacitor can be coupled to the input power leads, thereby being coupled in parallel with the energy-storage capacitor.

Abstract: A high-frequency, low-profile transformer having at least one pair of magnetic poles includes a primary winding having a z-folded, continuous primary conductive film with a generally serpentine configuration disposed on a primary dielectric membrane and further includes a z-folded, continuous secondary winding constructed from a plurality of secondary conductive film portions disposed on a secondary dielectric membrane. Each of the secondary conductive film portions is configured to form a single continuous path enclosing each of the magnetic poles in such manner that each path encloses one pole of each pair of the magnetic poles of each adjacent layer of the secondary winding. Each path thus continues along a respective fold of the winding stack. The secondary winding layers are interleaved with the primary winding layers and electrically connected together.