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The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, an analytical model based on one-dimensional Dowell’s equation for computing ac-to-dc winding resistance ratio FR of litz wire is presented. The model takes into account proximity effect within the bundle and between bundle layers as well as the skin effect. Second, low- and medium-frequency approximation of Dowell’s equation for the litz-wire winding is derived. Third, a derivation of an analytical equation is given for the optimum strand diameter of the litz-wire winding independent on the porosity factor.

The methodology is as follows. First, the model of the litz-wire bundle is assumed to be a square shape. Than the effective number of layers in the litz wire bundle is derived. Second, the litz-wire winding is presented and an analytical equation for the winding resistance is derived. Third, analytical optimization of the strand diameter in the litz-wire winding is independent on the porosity factor performed, where the strand diameter is independent on the porosity factor. The boundary frequency between the low-frequency and the medium-frequency ranges for both solid-round-wire and litz-wire windings are derived. Hence, useful frequency range of both windings can be determined and compared.

Closed form analytical equations for the optimum strand diameter independent of the porosity factor are derived. It has been shown that the ac-to-dc winding resistance ratio of the litz-wire winding for the optimum strand diameter is equal to 1.5. Moreover, it has been shown that litz-wire winding is better than the solid-round-wire winding only in specific frequency range. At very high frequencies the litz-wire winding ac resistance becomes much greater than the solid-round-wire winding due to proximity effect between the strands in the litz-wire bundle. The accuracy of the derived equations is experimentally verified.

Derived equations takes into account the losses due to induced eddy-currents caused by the applied current. Equations does not take into account the losses caused by the fringing flux, curvature, edge and end winding effects.

This paper presents derivations of the closed-form analytical equations for the optimum bare strand diameter of the litz-wire winding independent on the porosity factor. Significant advantage of derived equations is their simplicity and easy to use for the inductor designers.

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to study the proximity‐effect power loss in the foil, strip (rectangular), square, and solid‐round wire inductor windings. Second, it aims to optimize the thickness of the foil, strip, square wire windings, and the diameter of the solid‐round‐wire, the minimum of winding AC resistance and the minimum of winding AC power loss for sinusoidal inductor current.

The methodology of the analysis is as follows. First, the winding resistance of the single‐layer foil winding with a single turn per layer and uniform magnetic flux density B is derived. Second, the single‐layer foil winding with uniform magnetic flux density B is converted for the case, where the magnetic flux density B is a function of x. Third, the single‐layer winding is replaced by the winding with multiple layers isolated from each other. Fourth, transformation of the multi‐layer foil winding into different conductor shapes is performed. For the solid‐round‐wire windings, the results of the derivation are compared to Dowell's equation and verified by measurements.

Closed‐form analytical equations for the optimum normalized winding size (thickness or diameter) at the global or local minimum of winding AC resistance are derived. It has been shown that the AC‐to‐DC winding resistance ratio is equal to 4/3 (F_Rv=4/3) at the optimum normalized thickness of foil and strip wire winding h_opt/δ_w. The AC‐to‐DC winding resistance ratio is equal to 2 (F_Rv=2) at the local minimum of the square wire and solid‐round‐wire winding AC resistances. Moreover, it has been shown that for the solid‐round wire winding, the proximity‐effect AC‐to‐DC winding resistance ratio is equal to Dowell's AC‐to‐DC winding resistance ratio at low and medium frequencies. The accuracy of equation for the winding AC resistance of the solid‐round wire winding inductors has been experimentally verified. The predicted results were in good agreement with the measured results.

It is assumed that the applied current density in the winding conductor is approximately constant and the magnetic flux density B is parallel to the winding conductor (b>>h). This implies that a low‐ and medium‐frequency 1‐D solution is considered and allows the winding size optimization. This is because the optimum normalized winding conductor size occurs in the low‐ and medium‐frequency range. The skin‐effect winding power loss is much lower than the proximity‐effect winding power loss and therefore, it is neglected.

This paper presents derivations of closed‐form analytical equations for the optimum size (thickness or diameter) that yields the global minimum or the local minimum of proximity‐effect loss. A significant advantage of these derivations is their simplicity. Moreover, the paper derives equations for the AC‐to‐DC winding resistance ratio for the different shape wire windings, i.e. foil, strip, square and solid‐round, respectively.