Magnetic and Thermal Behavior of a Planar Toroidal Transformer

Abstract

This paper presents a study on the magnetic and thermal behaviors of a planar toroidal transformer, comprising two planar toroidal coils. In our configuration, the primary coil consists of twenty turns, while the secondary coil consists of ten turns. This design combines the advantages of both toroidal and planar transformers: it employs flat coils, akin to those utilized in planar transformers, while retaining a toroidal shape for its magnetic core. This combination enables leveraging the distinctive characteristics of both transformer types. This study delves into electromagnetic and thermal behaviors. Electromagnetic behavior is elucidated through Maxwell’s equations, offering insights into the distribution of magnetic fields, potentials, and electric current densities. Fluid flow is modeled via the Navier–Stokes equations. By coupling these equation sets, a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the thermal phenomena surrounding electrical equipment is attained. Such research is invaluable in the design and optimization of electrical systems, empowering engineers to forecast and manage thermal effects more efficiently. Consequently, this aids in enhancing the reliability, durability, and performance optimization of electrical equipment. The mathematical model was solved using the finite element method integrated into the COMSOL Multiphysics software v. 6.0. The COMSOL Multiphysics simulation showed correct behavior of potential, electric field, current density, and uniformly distributed temperature. In addition, this planar toroidal coil transformer model offers many advantages, such as small dimensions, high resonance frequency, and high operating reliability. This study made it possible to identify the range of its optimal functioning.

Keywords

• fly-back converter
• integration
• planar transformer
• dimensioning
• CFD
• inductive elements