Magnetic flux valves can be used in electromagnetic (EM) power converters to electronically control output signals of the EM power converters. An input signal is provided to an EM power converter that includes two or more core sections in which at least one core section includes a magnetic flux valve having an adjustable reluctance. The EM power converter has one or more primary windings and one or more secondary windings wound around one or more core sections. One or more control signals are provided to the one or more magnetic flux valves to control a reluctance or reluctances of the one or more magnetic flux valves, affecting magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary windings. An output signal is generated, in which the output signal is a function of the input signal and the one or more control signals.

Magnetic flux valves can be used in electromagnetic (EM) power converters to electronically control output signals of the EM power converters. An input signal is provided to an EM power converter that includes two or more core sections in which at least one core section includes a magnetic flux valve having an adjustable reluctance. The EM power converter has one or more primary windings and one or more secondary windings wound around one or more core sections. One or more control signals are provided to the one or more magnetic flux valves to control a reluctance or reluctances of the one or more magnetic flux valves, affecting magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary windings. An output signal is generated, in which the output signal is a function of the input signal and the one or more control signals.

A power system comprises a converter including an inductor core defining a gap, and a separator spanning the gap and contacting the core. The power system also includes a controller programmed to, responsive to a decrease in current ripple amplitude output by the converter to less than a first threshold, decrease power supplied by the converter. The first threshold is indicative of an inductance change through the core due to a temperature driven decrease in size of the separator.

Magnetic flux valves can be used in electromagnetic (EM) power converters to electronically control output signals of the EM power converters. An input signal is provided to an EM power converter that includes two or more core sections in which at least one core section includes a magnetic flux valve having an adjustable reluctance. The EM power converter has one or more primary windings and one or more secondary windings wound around one or more core sections. One or more control signals are provided to the one or more magnetic flux valves to control a reluctance or reluctances of the one or more magnetic flux valves, affecting magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary windings. An output signal is generated, in which the output signal is a function of the input signal and the one or more control signals.

A device for harvesting energy from a power line carrying AC current including: a transformer having a core with separate first and second sections, the core being formed of ceramic material or layered nickel alloy tape; a first secondary winding wound around the first section of the core; a second secondary winding wound around the second section of the core; a first DC core-flux control winding wound around the first section of the core; and a second DC core-flux control winding wound around the second section of the core; wherein the core is configured to be in operative communication with a magnetic field radiated from the power line, such that an AC voltage is generated in the first and second secondary windings, and the maximum AC voltage produced by the first and second secondary windings is limited by the first and second DC core-flux control windings.

A device for harvesting energy from a power line carrying AC current including: a transformer having a core with separate first and second sections, the core being formed of ceramic material or layered nickel alloy tape; a first secondary winding wound around the first section of the core; a second secondary winding wound around the second section of the core; a first DC core-flux control winding wound around the first section of the core; and a second DC core-flux control winding wound around the second section of the core; wherein the core is configured to be in operative communication with a magnetic field radiated from the power line, such that an AC voltage is generated in the first and second secondary windings, and the maximum AC voltage produced by the first and second secondary windings is limited by the first and second DC core-flux control windings.

A device for harvesting energy from a power line carrying AC current including: a transformer having a core with separate first and second sections, the core being formed of ceramic material or layered nickel alloy tape; a first secondary winding wound around the first section of the core; a second secondary winding wound around the second section of the core; a first DC core-flux control winding wound around the first section of the core; and a second DC core-flux control winding wound around the second section of the core; wherein the core is configured to be in operative communication with a magnetic field radiated from the power line, such that an AC voltage is generated in the first and second secondary windings, and the maximum AC voltage produced by the first and second secondary windings is limited by the first and second DC core-flux control windings.

A device for harvesting energy from a power line carrying AC current including: a transformer having a core with separate first and second sections, the core being formed of ceramic material or layered nickel alloy tape; a first secondary winding wound around the first section of the core; a second secondary winding wound around the second section of the core; a first DC core-flux control winding wound around the first section of the core; and a second DC core-flux control winding wound around the second section of the core; wherein the core is configured to be in operative communication with a magnetic field radiated from the power line, such that an AC voltage is generated in the first and second secondary windings, and the maximum AC voltage produced by the first and second secondary windings is limited by the first and second DC core-flux control windings.

A multiphase DC voltage converter and a method for controlling a multiphase DC voltage converter, having at least two parallel coils which are controlled in a time-shifted manner, at least one control unit for activating the coils, and at least one magnetically sensitive sensor element for detecting a magnetic field generated by the current flow through the coils. The control unit controls the current flow through the coils as a function of an output signal of the at least one sensor element.

A multiphase DC voltage converter and a method for controlling a multiphase DC voltage converter, having at least two parallel coils which are controlled in a time-shifted manner, at least one control unit for activating the coils, and at least one magnetically sensitive sensor element for detecting a magnetic field generated by the current flow through the coils. The control unit controls the current flow through the coils as a function of an output signal of the at least one sensor element.