Suggestion: OLTC - Split core inductors

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Wall Richard Wayne by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <rwall-at-ix-dot-netcom-dot-com>


Terry,

Yeah, you've discovered the dirty little secret that allows flyback
transformer action.  It's the air gap.  You cannot magnetically saturate
air.

I don't know the exact frequency (120 Hz ?) at which you're operating your
inductors, but in view of maintaining low weight and the KISS principle
you've invoked, just eliminate the heavy inductors altogether.  

Replace them with much smaller LC tank circuits tuned to the frequency you
wish to pass.  Tank R can be held really low and at resonance Z can be made
zero.  If you play a little with Fo you can get some really interesting
band pass filters.  You can make these little LC filters tunable and put in
as much tank Z as you desire.  Disassemble a flyback core and wind your
much smaller inductor.  Don't forget to put the shims back in.

There are many on the list that could offer design suggestions, I'm sure.

Keeping it Simple,

RWW