Abstract: According to one configuration, a fabricator fabricates a core of a circuit component to include magnetic permeable material. The fabricator further produces the circuit component to include multiple electrically conductive paths extending through the core of the magnetic permeable material. In one arrangement, the multiple electrically conductive paths include a first electrically conductive path and a second electrically conductive path. The fabricator fabricates the circuit component and, more specifically, the core of the magnetic permeable material to include at least one cutaway portion operative to reduce inductive coupling between the first electrically conductive path and the second electrically conductive path disposed in the core.

Abstract: A power converter assembly for transformer assembly as discussed herein may include multiple electrically conductive paths such as a first electrically conductive path, a second electrically conductive path, and a third electrically conductive path. The first electrically conductive path extends through the magnetically permeable material. The second electrically conductive path extends through the magnetic permeable material. The second electrically conductive path is inductively coupled to the first electrically conductive path via the magnetically permeable material. The third electrically conductive path is disposed in the magnetically permeable material and extends along the first electrically conductive path and the second electrically conductive path.

Abstract: A power converter assembly includes a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The first circuit board includes power converter circuitry operative to control conversion of an input voltage into an output voltage. The second circuit board is disposed substantially orthogonal to the first circuit board. The second circuit board is operative to: i) receive the output voltage, and ii) convey the output voltage to an output of the second circuit board such as a host circuit board. Additionally, the power converter assembly can be configured to include an over-mold assembly operative to provide connectivity between the first circuit board and the second circuit board. More specifically, the over-mold assembly can be configured to include an inductor component to output the output voltage to the second circuit board based on current received by the inductor component from the input voltage received over a first electrically conductive path between the second circuit board and the first circuit board.

Abstract: A power converter assembly may include multiple electrically conductive paths such as a first electrically conductive path, a second electrically conductive path, and a third electrically conductive path. The first electrically conductive path extends through first magnetically permeable material; the second electrically conductive path extending through second magnetically permeable material. The third electrically conductive path extends through both the first magnetically permeable material and the second magnetically permeable material. For example, the first electrically conductive path may be disposed alongside and in parallel with a first portion of the third electrically conductive path in the first magnetically permeable material; the second electrically conductive path may be disposed alongside and in parallel with a second portion of the third electrically conductive path in the second magnetically permeable material.

Abstract: A system is provided for overcurrent protection of a multi-phase trans-inductance voltage regulator. The multi-phase trans-inductance voltage regulator comprises a plurality of transformers, each transformer comprising a primary inductor and a secondary inductor. The primary inductor of each transformer is provided between a respective input node and a common output node, and the secondary inductors of the plurality of transformers are connected in series. Each input node is connected to a respective one of a plurality of phase inputs. The system includes a first sensor arrangement configured to measure a current flowing through the secondary inductors. The system also includes a controller configured to generate an overcurrent fault signal based at least in part on the measured current flowing through the secondary inductors.

Abstract: This disclosure includes novel ways of implementing a power supply that powers a load. More specifically, a power supply includes a bidirectional power converter and a controller. The controller monitors a magnitude of an input voltage supplied from an input voltage source to a load. Based on a magnitude of the input voltage, the controller switches between a first mode of operating the bidirectional power converter to charge an energy storage resource using (a portion of power provided by) the input voltage and a second mode of producing a backup voltage from the energy storage resource to power the load as a substitute to the input voltage such as when the input voltage is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A power module includes: a power input terminal; a power output terminal at a same side of the power module as the power input terminal; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor that includes a conductor extending through a magnetic core, the conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip electrically connecting the second end of the conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the power module at the same side of the power module. A method of producing the power module and electronic assembly that includes the power module are also described.

Abstract: A power supply includes a first (main) power converter and a second (auxiliary) power converter disposed in parallel with the first power converter to produce an output voltage to power a dynamic load. The second power converter includes a primary inductive path magnetically coupled to a secondary inductive path. A controller controls a flow of first current through the primary inductive path of the second power converter to control flow of second current supplied by the secondary inductive path to the dynamic load. During steady state conditions, the first power converter produces the output voltage while the second power converter is deactivated. During transient load conditions, the second power converter provides current boost capability to maintain a magnitude of the output voltage within a desired range.

Abstract: A voltage regulator module includes: power input and output terminals at a same side of the voltage regulator module; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip which electrically connects the second end of the vertical conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the voltage regulator module at the same side of the voltage regulator module. A method of producing the voltage regulator module and electronic assembly that includes the voltage regulator module are also described.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device includes a core fabricated from multiple different types of magnetically permeable material. The inductor device includes an electrically conductive path extending through the core. A magnetic permeability of the core varies in magnitude depending on a distance with respect to the electrically conductive path.

Abstract: A voltage regulator module includes: a substrate having power input and output terminals; a power stage package mounted to the substrate and having first and second pads at a side facing away from the substrate, the power stage package configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at the first pad; an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end attached to the first pad of the power stage package and an opposite second end; and a metallic clip attached to each of the second end of the vertical conductor, the power output terminal, and the second pad of the power stage package. The second pad of the power stage package does not carry any of the phase current.

Abstract: A first partial power converter implementation receives and converts an input voltage into multiple auxiliary voltages including a first auxiliary voltage and a second auxiliary voltage. The first partial power converter produces a first output voltage as a first summation of the first auxiliary voltage and the input voltage; the first partial power converter produces a second output voltage as a second summation of the second auxiliary voltage and the input voltage. A second partial power converter implementation as discussed herein receives a first auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to an output voltage of the power converter. The second partial power converter also receives a second auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to the output voltage. The second partial power converter converts the first auxiliary input voltage and the second auxiliary input voltage into the output voltage to power a load.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises: core material and one or more electrically conductive paths. The core material is magnetically permeable and surrounds (envelops) the one or more electrically conductive paths. Each of the electrically conductive paths extends through the core material of the inductor device from a first end of the inductor device to a second end of the inductor device. The magnetically permeable core material is operative to confine (guide, carry, convey, localize, etc.) respective magnetic flux generated from current flowing through a respective electrically conductive path. The core material stores the magnetic flux energy (i.e., first magnetic flux) generated from the current flowing through the first electrically conductive path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method as discussed herein includes a heat sink element fabricated from electrically conductive material. A first element of electrically conductive material may be fixedly connected to the heat sink element. A second element of electrically conductive material may be fixedly connected to the heat sink element. The first element and the second element may extend substantially orthogonal from a surface of the heat sink element.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a fabricator receives magnetic permeable material and fabricates an apparatus to include a multi-dimensional arrangement of electrically conductive paths to extend through the magnetic permeable material. Each of the electrically conductive paths is a respective inductive path.

Abstract: This disclosure includes novel ways of implementing a power supply that powers a load. A main battery source produces a main battery voltage; each of multiple auxiliary battery sources in a set produces a respective auxiliary battery voltage. A controller initially sets a battery supply voltage to the main battery voltage, the main battery voltage is supplied to a power converter. The controller then monitors a magnitude of the battery supply voltage and adjusts the battery supply voltage supplied to the power converter based on a comparison of the magnitude of the battery supply voltage with respect to a threshold level. The adjusted battery supply voltage is provided from a serial connection of the main battery source and a first auxiliary battery source in the set.

Abstract: A voltage regulator module includes: power input and output terminals at a same side of the voltage regulator module; a first power stage configured to receive an input voltage from the power input terminal and output a phase current at a switch node of the first power stage, the first power stage including an inductor having a vertical conductor embedded in a magnetic core, the vertical conductor having a first end which is electrically connected to the switch node and a second end opposite the first end; and a first metal clip which electrically connects the second end of the vertical conductor to the power output terminal such that power is delivered to and from the voltage regulator module at the same side of the voltage regulator module. A method of producing the voltage regulator module and electronic assembly that includes the voltage regulator module are also described.

Abstract: A first partial power converter implementation receives and converts an input voltage into multiple auxiliary voltages including a first auxiliary voltage and a second auxiliary voltage. The first partial power converter produces a first output voltage as a first summation of the first auxiliary voltage and the input voltage; the first partial power converter produces a second output voltage as a second summation of the second auxiliary voltage and the input voltage. A second partial power converter implementation as discussed herein receives a first auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to an output voltage of the power converter. The second partial power converter also receives a second auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to the output voltage. The second partial power converter converts the first auxiliary input voltage and the second auxiliary input voltage into the output voltage to power a load.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises: core material and one or more electrically conductive paths. The core material is magnetically permeable and surrounds (envelops) the one or more electrically conductive paths. Each of the electrically conductive paths extends through the core material of the inductor device from a first end of the inductor device to a second end of the inductor device. The magnetically permeable core material is operative to confine (guide, carry, convey, localize, etc.) respective magnetic flux generated from current flowing through a respective electrically conductive path. The core material stores the magnetic flux energy (i.e., first magnetic flux) generated from the current flowing through the first electrically conductive path.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an inductor device comprises: core material and one or more electrically conductive paths. The core material is magnetically permeable and surrounds (envelops) the one or more electrically conductive paths. Each of the electrically conductive paths extends through the core material of the inductor device from a first end of the inductor device to a second end of the inductor device. The magnetically permeable core material is operative to confine (guide, carry, convey, localize, etc.) respective magnetic flux generated from current flowing through a respective electrically conductive path. The core material stores the magnetic flux energy (i.e., first magnetic flux) generated from the current flowing through the first electrically conductive path.