PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11387678-B2
Application Number: US-202016994417-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Stacked resonant structures for wireless power systems

Abstract:
A wireless power system has wireless power transmitting and receiving devices. The transmitting and receiving devices convey wireless power using stacked resonant structures. The stacked resonant structures are self-resonant and have a parallel-coupled inductance and capacitance. The structures include a magnetic core having a central post and stacked ceramic layers within the magnetic core and laterally surrounding the central post. The structures include interleaved first and second sets of antiparallel-oriented C-shaped conductive layers and are driven using drive traces. The drive traces are formed from one of the C-shaped conductive layers or from conductive traces on a drive printed circuit board that underlies the stacked ceramic layers. The traces include one or more loops running around the central post. Host circuitry for the structures may have a central tap terminal coupled to the traces. If desired, a shield layer may overlap the conductive layers.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wireless power receiving device configured to receive wireless power signals transmitted by a wireless power transmitter, the wireless power receiving device comprising:
 stacked resonant structures configured to receive the wireless power signals, wherein the stacked resonant structures comprise:
 a magnetic core having a central post, 
 stacked dielectric layers within the magnetic core and laterally surrounding the central post and including a dielectric drive layer, and 
 conductive layers interleaved with the stacked dielectric layers, wherein the conductive layers comprise openings about the central post and wherein adjacent pairs of the conductive layers contribute series capacitances to the stacked resonant structures; 
 
 a substrate external to the magnetic core; 
 drive traces on the substrate, wherein the magnetic core has first and second openings, the dielectric drive layer having a first leg protruding through the first opening and a second leg protruding through the second opening; 
 a first contact pad on the first leg and soldered to the drive traces; 
 a second contact pad on the second leg and soldered to the drive traces; and 
 rectifier circuitry coupled to the drive traces, wherein the rectifier circuitry is configured to produce direct-current power from the wireless power signals received by the stacked resonant structures. 
 
     
     
       2. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layers comprise even-numbered layers and odd-numbered layers, wherein the even-numbered layers comprise first openings about the central post that are oriented in a first direction, and wherein the odd-numbered layers comprise second openings about the central post that are oriented in a second direction antiparallel to the first direction. 
     
     
       3. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layers comprise additional drive traces on the dielectric drive layer and extending around the central post, and wherein a current on the conductive layers produced by the received wireless power signals induces an alternating current on the additional drive traces, wherein the rectifier circuitry is configured to produce the direct-current power based on the alternating current on the drive traces, and wherein the first and second contact pads form part of respective first and second conductive interconnect structures that couple respective first and second locations on the drive traces to the rectifier circuitry. 
     
     
       4. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 3 , further comprising a third conductive interconnect structure that couples a third location on the drive traces to a center tap terminal of the rectifier circuitry. 
     
     
       5. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second conductive interconnect structures are located at a first side of the central post and wherein the third conductive interconnect structure is located at a second side of the central post. 
     
     
       6. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a shield layer overlapping the conductive layers; and 
 a fourth conductive interconnect structure that couples the shield layer to a ground trace. 
 
     
     
       7. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 4 , wherein the third conductive interconnect structure is laterally interposed between the first and second conductive interconnect structures. 
     
     
       8. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a shield layer aligned with the central post and overlapping the conductive layers, wherein the shield layer has a gap about the central post; and 
 a third conductive interconnect structure that couples the shield layer to a reference potential. 
 
     
     
       9. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second conductive interconnect structures are located at a first side of the central post and wherein the third conductive interconnect structure is located at a second side of the central post. 
     
     
       10. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 8 , wherein the third conductive interconnect structure is laterally interposed between the first and second conductive interconnect structures. 
     
     
       11. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless power receiving device comprises an electronic device selected from a group consisting of: a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a wristwatch, a laptop computer, and an earbud. 
     
     
       12. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the stacked dielectric layers comprise ceramic. 
     
     
       13. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 1 , wherein the stacked resonant structures exhibit a self-resonance and a capacitance coupled in parallel with an inductance, the capacitance comprising the series capacitances. 
     
     
       14. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 13 , wherein an adjacent pair of the conductive layers collectively includes conductive material forming a complete loop around the central post. 
     
     
       15. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 14 , wherein the conductive layers comprise C-shaped conductive layers. 
     
     
       16. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 15 , wherein the adjacent pair of the conductive layers comprises a first C-shaped conductive layer having a first orientation and a second C-shaped conductive layer having a second orientation anti-parallel to the first orientation. 
     
     
       17. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 1 , further comprising a shield layer that overlaps the stacked dielectric layers. 
     
     
       18. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 12 , wherein the ceramic comprises a class-1 ceramic material. 
     
     
       19. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 18 , wherein the class-1 ceramic material comprises a C 0 G ceramic. 
     
     
       20. The wireless power receiving device of  claim 18 , wherein the class-1 ceramic material comprises an NP 0  ceramic.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/907,090, filed Sep. 27, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This relates generally to power systems, and, more particularly, to wireless power systems for charging electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In a wireless charging system, a wireless power transmitting device such as a charging mat or charging puck wirelessly transmits power to a wireless power receiving device such as a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device has a coil and rectifier circuitry. The coil of the portable electronic device receives alternating-current wireless power signals from a coil in the wireless power transmitting device. The rectifier circuitry converts the received signals into direct-current power. 
     SUMMARY 
     A wireless power system has a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. During operation, the wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power to the wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device receives the wireless power. Rectifier circuitry on the wireless power receiving device supplies a corresponding output voltage to a load. 
     The wireless power transmitting and receiving devices convey wireless power using stacked resonant structures. The stacked resonant structures are self-resonant and have a parallel-coupled inductance and capacitance. The stacked resonant structures exhibit less loss than in scenarios where separate capacitors and inductive coils are used to transfer the wireless power. 
     The stacked resonant structures include a magnetic core having a central post and stacked ceramic layers within the magnetic core and laterally surrounding the central post. The stacked resonant structures include a first set of C-shaped conductive layers and a second set of C-shaped conductive layers on the stacked ceramic layers. The first set of C-shaped conductors have a first orientation about the central post and the second set of C-shaped conductors have a second orientation antiparallel to the first orientation about the central post. The first set of C-shaped conductors are interleaved among the second set of C-shaped conductors such that each adjacent pair of C-shaped conductors forms a full conductive loop around the central post to establish the parallel-coupled inductance of the stacked resonant structures. The parallel-coupled capacitance of the stacked resonant structures increases as the number of C-shaped conductive layers increases. 
     The stacked resonant structures are driven using drive traces. In one suitable arrangement, the drive traces are formed from one of the C-shaped conductive layers. Conductive interconnect structures such as contact pads or conductive pins are used to couple the drive traces to host circuitry such as an inverter or rectifier. In another suitable arrangement, the drive traces are formed from conductive traces on a drive printed circuit board that underlies the stacked ceramic layers. The conductive traces include one or more loops running around the central post. The host circuitry may have a central tap terminal coupled to the drive traces. If desired, a C-shaped shield layer may overlap the C-shaped conductive layers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative wireless charging system that includes a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram of wireless power transmitting and receiving circuitry in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of illustrative stacked resonant structures that may be used in transmitting or receiving wireless power in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an illustrative stacked conductor structure for stacked resonant structures in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative stacked conductor structure in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of an illustrative stacked conductor structure in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of illustrative stacked resonant structures having a stacked conductor structure with a drive layer that drives the stacked resonant structures in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view, cross-sectional side view, and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures that are driven by a drive layer having a pair of contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view, side views, and bottom view of an illustrative drive layer having a pair of contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view, cross-sectional side view, and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures that are driven by a drive layer having a pair of contact pins in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view, side view, cross-sectional side view, and bottom view of an illustrative drive layer having a pair of contact pins in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures that are driven by a drive layer having three contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view, side views, and bottom view of an illustrative drive layer having three contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional side view and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures that are driven by a drive layer having three contact pins in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view, cross-sectional side view, side view, and bottom view of an illustrative drive layer having three contact pins in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view, side views, and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures having a shielding layer and a drive layer that is driven using a pair of contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view, side views, and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures having a shield layer and a drive layer that is driven using a pair of contact pads, where the shield layer has a shield contact pad that is interposed between the pair of contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view and bottom view of illustrative stacked resonant structures having a shield layer and a drive layer that is driven using three contact pads in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of illustrative stacked resonant structures having a stacked conductor structure that is driven by a drive printed circuit board in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 20A-20C  are diagrams of an illustrative drive printed circuit board having drive traces with a single turn extending around a central axis of stacked resonant structures in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 21A-21C  are diagrams of an illustrative drive printed circuit board having drive traces with multiple turns extending around a central axis of stacked resonant structures in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 22A-22C  are diagrams of an illustrative drive printed circuit board having drive traces with multiple turns extending around a central axis of stacked resonant structures and having a center tap trace in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A wireless power system includes a wireless power transmitting device such as a wireless charging mat or wireless charging puck. The wireless power transmitting device wirelessly transmits power to a wireless power receiving device such as a wristwatch, cellular telephone, tablet computer, laptop computer, or other electronic equipment. The wireless power receiving device uses power from the wireless power transmitting device for powering the device and for charging an internal battery. 
     The wireless power transmitting device communicates with the wireless power receiving device and obtains information on the characteristics of the wireless power receiving device. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitting device has multiple power transmitting coils. In such embodiments, the wireless power transmitting device uses information from the wireless power receiving device and/or measurements made in the wireless power transmitting device to determine which coil or coils in the transmitting device are magnetically coupled to wireless power receiving devices. Coil selection is then performed in the wireless power transmitting device. Wireless power is transmitted from the wireless power transmitting device to the wireless power receiving device using selected coil(s) to charge a battery in the wireless power receiving device and/or to power other load circuitry. 
     An illustrative wireless power system (wireless charging system) is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , wireless power system  8  includes a wireless power transmitting device such as wireless power transmitting device  12  and includes a wireless power receiving device such as wireless power receiving device  24 . Wireless power transmitting device  12  includes control circuitry  16 . Wireless power receiving device  24  includes control circuitry  30 . Control circuitry in system  8  such as control circuitry  16  and control circuitry  30  is used in controlling the operation of system  8 . This control circuitry may include processing circuitry associated with microprocessors, power management units, baseband processors, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, and/or application-specific integrated circuits with processing circuits. The processing circuitry implements desired control and communications features in devices  12  and  24 . For example, the processing circuitry may be used in selecting coils, determining power transmission levels, processing sensor data and other data, processing user input, handling negotiations between devices  12  and  24 , sending and receiving in-band and out-of-band data, making measurements, and otherwise controlling the operation of system  8 . 
     Control circuitry in system  8  may be configured to perform operations in system  8  using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware and/or software. Software code for performing operations in system  8  is stored on non-transitory computer readable storage media (e.g., tangible computer readable storage media) in control circuitry  16  and/or  30 . The software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, program instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer readable storage media may include non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM), one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid state drives), one or more removable flash drives or other removable media, or the like. Software stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage media may be executed on the processing circuitry of control circuitry  16  and/or  30 . The processing circuitry may include application-specific integrated circuits with processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a central processing unit (CPU) or other processing circuitry. 
     Power transmitting device  12  may be a stand-alone power adapter (e.g., a wireless charging mat or charging puck that includes power adapter circuitry), may be a wireless charging mat or puck that is coupled to a power adapter or other equipment by a cable, may be a portable device, may be equipment that has been incorporated into furniture, a vehicle, or other system, may be a removable battery case, or may be other wireless power transfer equipment. Illustrative configurations in which wireless power transmitting device  12  is a wireless charging mat or wireless charging puck are sometimes described herein as an example. 
     Power receiving device  24  may be a portable electronic device such as a wristwatch, a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an accessory such as an earbud, or other electronic equipment. Power transmitting device  12  may be coupled to a wall outlet (e.g., an alternating current power source), may have a battery for supplying power, and/or may have another source of power. Power transmitting device  12  may have an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) power converter such as AC-DC power converter  14  for converting AC power from a wall outlet or other power source into DC power. DC power may be used to power control circuitry  16 . 
     During operation, a controller in control circuitry  16  uses power transmitting circuitry  52  to transmit wireless power to power receiving circuitry  54  of device  24 . Power transmitting circuitry  52  may have switching circuitry (e.g., inverter circuitry  61  formed from transistors) that is turned on and off based on control signals provided by control circuitry  16  to create AC current signals through one or more wireless power transmitting coils such as transmit coils  36 . Coils  36  may be arranged in a planar coil array (e.g., in configurations in which device  12  is a wireless charging mat) or may be arranged to form a cluster of coils (e.g., in configurations in which device  12  is a wireless charging puck). In some arrangements, device  12  may have only a single coil. In other arrangements, a puck or other wireless transmitting device may have two or more coils, three or more coils, four or more coils, or six or more coils. 
     As the AC currents pass through one or more coils  36 , alternating-current electromagnetic (e.g., magnetic) fields (signals  44 ) are produced that are received by one or more corresponding receiver coils such as coil(s)  48  in power receiving device  24 . Device  24  may have a single coil  48 , at least two coils  48 , at least three coils  48 , at least four coils  48 , or other suitable number of coils  48 . When the alternating-current electromagnetic fields are received by coil(s)  48 , corresponding alternating-current currents are induced in coil(s)  48 . Rectifier circuitry such as rectifier  50 , which contains rectifying components such as synchronous rectification metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors arranged in a bridge network, converts received AC signals (received alternating-current signals associated with electromagnetic signals  44 ) from coil(s)  48  into DC voltage signals for powering device  24 . 
     The DC voltage produced by rectifier  50  (sometime referred to as rectifier output voltage Vrect) can be used in charging a battery such as battery  58  and can be used in powering other components in device  24 . For example, device  24  may include input-output devices  56  such as a display, touch sensor, communications circuits, audio components, sensors, light-emitting diode status indicators, other light-emitting and light detecting components, and other components and these components (which form a load for device  24 ) may be powered by the DC voltages produced by rectifier  50  (and/or DC voltages produced by battery  58 ). 
     Device  12  and/or device  24  may communicate wirelessly using in-band or out-of-band communications. Device  12  may, for example, have wireless transceiver circuitry  40  that wirelessly transmits out-of-band signals to device  24  using an antenna. Wireless transceiver circuitry  40  may be used to wirelessly receive out-of-band signals from device  24  using the antenna. Device  24  may have wireless transceiver circuitry  46  that transmits out-of-band signals to device  12 . Receiver circuitry in wireless transceiver  46  may use an antenna to receive out-of-band signals from device  12 . In-band transmissions between devices  12  and  24  may be performed using coils  36  and  48 . With one illustrative configuration, frequency-shift keying (FSK) is used to convey in-band data from device  12  to device  24  and amplitude-shift keying (ASK) is used to convey in-band data from device  24  to device  12 . Power may be conveyed wirelessly from device  12  to device  24  during these FSK and ASK transmissions. 
     It is desirable for power transmitting device  12  and power receiving device  24  to be able to communicate information such as received power, states of charge, and so forth, to control wireless power transfer. However, the above-described technology need not involve the transmission of personally identifiable information in order to function. Out of an abundance of caution, it is noted that to the extent that any implementation of this charging technology involves the use of personally identifiable information, implementers should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     If desired, control circuitry  16  may include external object measurement circuitry such as external object measurement circuitry  41 . External object measurement circuitry  41  is used to detect external objects on the charging surface of device  12  (e.g., on the top of a charging mat or, if desired, to detect objects adjacent to the coupling surface of a charging puck). Circuitry  41  can detect foreign objects such as coils, paper clips, and other metallic objects and can detect the presence of wireless power receiving devices  24  (e.g., circuitry  41  can detect the presence of one or more coils  48 ). During object detection and characterization operations, external object measurement circuitry  41  can be used to make measurements on coils  36  to determine whether any devices  24  are present on device  12 . 
     In an illustrative arrangement, measurement circuitry  41  of control circuitry  16  contains signal generator circuitry (e.g., oscillator circuitry for generating AC probe signals at one or more probe frequencies, a pulse generator that can create impulses so that impulse responses can be measured to gather inductance information, Q-factor information, etc.) and signal detection circuitry (e.g., filters, analog-to-digital converters, impulse response measurement circuits, etc.). During measurement operations, switching circuitry in device  12  may be adjusted by control circuitry  16  to switch each of coils  36  into use. As each coil  36  is selectively switched into use, control circuitry  16  uses the signal generator circuitry of signal measurement circuitry  41  to apply a probe signal to that coil while using the signal detection circuitry of signal measurement circuitry  41  to measure a corresponding response. Measurement circuitry  43  in control circuitry  30  and/or in control circuitry  16  may also be used in making current and voltage measurements. Measurement circuitry  41  and/or  43  may be omitted if desired. 
       FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram of illustrative wireless charging circuitry for system  8 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , circuitry  52  may include inverter circuitry such as one or more inverters  61  or other drive circuitry that produces wireless power signals that are transmitted through an output circuit that includes one or more coils  36  and capacitors such as capacitor  70 . In some embodiments, device  12  may include multiple individually controlled inverters  61 , each of which supplies drive signals to a respective coil  36 . In other embodiments, an inverter  61  is shared between multiple coils  36  using switching circuitry. 
     During operation, control signals for inverter(s)  61  are provided by control circuitry  16  at control input  74 . A single inverter  61  and single coil  36  is shown in the example of  FIG. 2 , but multiple inverters  61  and multiple coils  36  may be used, if desired. In a multiple coil configuration, switching circuitry can be used to couple a single inverter  61  to multiple coils  36  and/or each coil  36  may be coupled to a respective inverter  61 . During wireless power transmission operations, transistors in one or more selected inverters  61  are driven by AC control signals from control circuitry  16 . This causes the output circuit formed from selected coil  36  and capacitor  70  to produce alternating-current electromagnetic fields (signals  44 ) that are received by wireless power receiving circuitry  54  using a wireless power receiving circuit formed from one or more coils  48  and one or more capacitors  72  in device  24 . Rectifier circuitry (e.g., one or more rectifiers  50 ) converts received power from AC to DC and supplies a corresponding direct current output voltage Vrect across rectifier output terminals  76  for powering load circuitry in device  24  (e.g., for charging battery  58 , for powering a display and/or other input-output devices  56 , and/or for powering other components). A single coil  48  or multiple coils  48  may be included in device  24 . In configurations with multiple coils  48 , switching circuitry may be used to selectively couple one or more desired coils  48  to a rectifier and/or multiple rectifiers may be used. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , capacitor  70  and coil  36  are coupled in parallel between a pair of terminals for inverter  61  in device  12 . Similarly, capacitor  72  and coil  48  are coupled in parallel between a pair of terminals for rectifier  50  in device  24 . In scenarios where inverter  61  has a center tap terminal (e.g., in scenarios where inverter  61  is a push-pull inverter), inverter  61  may have a center tap terminal such as center tap terminal  77  coupled to coil  36 . Similarly, in scenarios where rectifier  50  has a center tap terminal, rectifier  50  may have a center tap terminal such as center tap terminal  79  coupled to coil  48 . 
     In one suitable arrangement that is sometimes described herein as an example, coil  36  and capacitor  70  of device  12  are integrated into stacked resonant structures  78 - 1 . Stacked resonant structures  78 - 1  are self-resonant structures that exhibit both the inductive properties of coil  36  and the capacitive properties of capacitor  70 . Similarly, coil  48  and capacitor  72  of device  24  are integrated into stacked resonant structures  78 - 2 . Stacked resonant structures  78 - 2  are self-resonant structures that exhibit both the inductive properties of coil  48  and the capacitive properties of capacitor  72 . Integrating the coils and capacitors into stacked resonant structures may introduce less loss to the system than in scenarios where the capacitors are formed separately from the coils, for example. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of stacked resonant structures  78 . Stacked resonator structures  78  of  FIG. 3  may be used to form stacked resonant structures  78 - 1  in device  12  and/or stacked resonant structures  78 - 2  in device  24  of  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , stacked resonant structures  78  include a stacked conductor structure such as stacked conductor structure  80  and a magnetic core such as magnetic core  82 . Stacked conductor structure  80  includes layers of dielectric material and layers of conductive material (e.g., alternating conductive and dielectric layers). Magnetic core  82  is formed from ferrite or any other desired magnetic material and may therefore sometimes be referred to herein as ferrite core  82 . Magnetic core  82  includes a bottom wall  84  and sidewalls  86  extending vertically from bottom wall  84 . The top end  90  of magnetic core  82  is left open (e.g., is free from magnetic material), allowing stacked conductor structure  80  to be placed within magnetic core  82  (e.g., within sidewalls  86  such that stacked conductor structure  80  rests on bottom wall  84 ). 
     Stacked conductor structure  80  has a central opening  92  and a central axis  85  that runs through central opening  92 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , stacked conductor structure  80  has a cylindrical shape (e.g., laterally extending in a circular path around central axis  85  and central opening  92 ). This is merely illustrative and, in general, stacked conductor structure  80  (and sidewalls  86  of magnetic core  82 ) may follow any desired path around central axis  85  and central opening  92  (e.g., a path having any desired number of straight and/or curved segments). 
     Magnetic core  82  has a central post structure such as central post  88  that extends vertically from bottom wall  84  through opening  92  (e.g., along central axis  85 ). In other words, central post  88  of magnetic core  82  is inserted into opening  92  when stacked conductor structure  80  is inserted into magnetic core  82 . Central post  88  may be solid (e.g., filled with magnetic material such as ferrite such that central axis  85  runs through the magnetic material in central post  88 ) or may, as shown in the example of  FIG. 3 , be hollow (e.g., with a cylindrical shape such that central axis  85  does not run through the magnetic material in central post  88 ). When configured in this way, magnetic core  82  forms a pot core for stacked resonant structures  78  (e.g., a pot core having a cylindrical-shaped groove, where stacked conductor structure  80  is disposed or mounted within the groove). Magnetic core  82  may therefore sometimes be referred to herein as pot core  82 . 
     Stacked conductor structure  80  has a top surface  94  at open end  90  of magnetic core  82 . Open end  90  of magnetic core  82  allows external magnetic fields (e.g., magnetic fields associated with signals  44  of  FIG. 2 ) to induce current on the conductive layers of stacked conductor structure  80  (e.g., in scenarios where stacked resonant structures  78  are used to form stacked resonant structures  78 - 2  in device  24  of  FIG. 2 ) and allows currents driven on the conductive layers of stacked conductor structure  80  to produce magnetic fields associated with signals  44  of  FIG. 2  (e.g., in scenarios where stacked resonant structures  78  are used to form stacked resonant structures  78 - 1  in device  12  of  FIG. 2 ). 
     The example in which stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted within magnetic core  82  to form stacked resonant structures  78  of  FIG. 2  is described herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative. Stacked conductor structure  80  need not be used to convey wireless power in a wireless power system such as system  8  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In general, stacked conductor structure  80  may be implemented in any desired system that requires a self-resonant circuit component with a parallel-coupled inductance and capacitance. Similarly, stacked resonant structures  78  (e.g., stacked conductor structure  80  and magnetic core  82 ) need not be used to convey wireless power and may, in general, be implemented in any desired system that requires a self-resonant circuit component with a parallel-coupled inductance and capacitance (e.g., with parallel-coupled inductive and capacitive characteristics). 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of stacked conductor structure  80  (shown, e.g., without magnetic core  82  or prior to insertion of stacked conductor structure  80  into magnetic core  82 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , stacked conductor structure  80  includes stacked alternating (interleaved) dielectric layers  96  and conductive layers  98 . Dielectric layers  96  are formed from ceramic (e.g., a class-1 dielectric (ceramic) material such as a C 0 G ceramic, an NP 0  ceramic, etc.). Dielectric layers  96  may therefore sometimes be referred to herein as ceramic layers  96 . This may, for example, configure dielectric layers  96  to exhibit more stability over a wide range of operating temperatures and voltages and reduces loss relative to scenarios where other materials are used to form dielectric layers  96 . Conductive layers  98  are formed from copper, other metals, or other conductive material that is deposited on underlying dielectric layers  96  (e.g., using an ink printing process rather than an etching process). 
     The top-most dielectric layer  96  in stacked conductor structure  80  defines top surface  94  of stacked conductor structure  80 . The bottom-most dielectric layer  96  in stacked conductor structure  80  defines bottom surface  100  of stacked conductor structure  80 . Bottom surface  100  may be placed into direct contact with bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  in stacked resonant structures  78  ( FIG. 3 ) or, if desired, a spacer may be interposed between bottom surface  100  and bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82 . In scenarios where a drive printed circuit board is used to drive stacked resonant structures  78 , the drive printed circuit board is interposed between bottom surface  100  and bottom wall  84 . The stack-up of conductive layers  98  and dielectric layers  96  in stacked conductor structure  80  configures stacked conductor structure  80  to exhibit a total height H. Conductive layers  98  and dielectric layers  96  each have a respective opening  92  aligned with central axis  85 . Conductive layers  98  and dielectric layers  96  have an inner radius R 1  that defines opening  92  and an outer radius R 2  that defines the overall radius of stacked conductor structure  80 . Height H, inner radius R 1 , and outer radius R 2  may be any suitable values and may, for example, be selected to meet physical space constraints for stacked resonator structures  78  within devices  12  and  24  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the dielectric and conductive layers in stacked conductor structure  80 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , stacked conductor structure  80  has N dielectric layers  96  (e.g., a first dielectric layer  96 - 1 , a second dielectric layer  96 - 2 , a third dielectric layer  96 - 4 , an (N−1)th dielectric layer  96 -(N−1), an Nth dielectric layer  96 -N, etc.). Conductive layers  98  may be printed on any desired number of the N dielectric layers  96  (e.g., a subset of the dielectric layers  96  or all of the dielectric layers  96  in stacked conductor structure  80 ). In the example of  FIG. 5 , there are (N−1) conductive layers  98  patterned onto (N−1) respective dielectric layers  96  (e.g., a first conductive layer  98 - 1  patterned on dielectric layer  96 - 1 , a second conductive layer  98 - 2  patterned on dielectric layer  96 - 2 , a third conductive layer  98 - 3  patterned on dielectric layer  96 - 3 , a fourth conductive layer  98 - 4  patterned on dielectric layer  96 - 4 , an (N−1)th conductive layer  98 -(N−1) patterned on dielectric layer  96 -(N−1), etc.). In this way, stacked dielectric layers  96  and conductive layers  98  may form a multi-layer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) type stack up in stacked conductor structure  80 . Each conductive layer  98  in stacked conductor structure  80  adds more total capacitance (e.g., series capacitance) to stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     Each conductive layer  98  in stacked conductor structure  80  includes an opening  110  about central axis  85  (e.g., about central post  88 ) that configures the conductive layer  98  to exhibit a “C” or “U” shape within the X-Y plane. Each conductive layer  98  is oriented at an antiparallel (180 degree) angle about central axis  85  relative to the one or two conductive layers  98  adjacent (e.g., immediately above and/or below) that conductive layer. In the example of  FIG. 5 , the odd-numbered conductive layers  98  have openings  110  facing in the +X direction whereas the even-numbered conductive layers  98  have openings  110  facing in the −X direction. 
     Openings  110  have a width given by angle θ in the X-Y plane about central axis  85 . Angle θ may be 10-30 degrees, 5-45 degrees, 20-50 degrees, 30-60 degrees, 10-60 degrees, 10-90 degrees, 20-120 degrees, less than 150 degrees, less than 120 degrees, less than 90 degrees, less than 60 degrees, less than 45 degrees, or other values. Conductive layers  98  have thickness  104  (in the Z-direction). Thickness  104  may, for example, be chosen to be much less than the skin depth of the conductive material used to form conductive layers  98  at the operating frequency of stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     The lateral distance from central axis  85  to the outer edge (circumference) of conductive layers  98  is less than radius R 2  of  FIG. 4  whereas the lateral distance from central axis  85  to the inner edge of conductive layers  98  is greater than radius R 1  of  FIG. 4 . Dielectric layers  96  have thickness  102  (in the Z-direction). If desired, the uppermost dielectric layer  96  (e.g., dielectric layer  96 -N) and/or the bottom-most dielectric layer  96  (e.g., dielectric layer  96 - 1 ) may be thicker than the other dielectric layers  96  in stacked conductor structure  80 . The number (N−1) of conductive layers  98 , thickness  102 , thickness  104 , and/or angle θ may be selected to achieve a desired capacitance within stacked conductor structure  80 , to optimize the effective series resistance (ESR) of stacked conductor structure  80  at the operating frequency of stacked conductor structure  80 , and/or to withstand the operating voltage of stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     Stacked conductor structure  80  is driven by driving structures such as driving structures  106 . Driving structures  106  include drive traces  108 . Drive traces  108  are coupled to the terminals of host circuitry. The host circuitry may include inverter  61  in scenarios where stacked conductor structure  80  is used to form stacked resonant structures  78 - 1  in device  12 . The host circuitry may include rectifier  50  in scenarios where stacked conductor structure  80  is used to form stacked resonant structures  78 - 2  in device  24  of  FIG. 2 . 
     When stacked conductor structure  80  is driven by driving structures  106  (e.g., to produce signals  44  of  FIG. 2 ), drive current I D  is provided on drive traces  108  (e.g., by the host circuitry). Drive current I D  follows a loop path on drive traces  108  to produce a magnetic field (e.g., magnetic field B) extending vertically through opening  92 . Pairs  99  of adjacent conductive layers  98  each include one odd-numbered conductive layer  98  and an immediately adjacent even-numbered conductive layer  98  (e.g., a first pair  99  includes conductive layers  98 - 1  and  98 - 2 , a second pair  99  includes conductive layers  98 - 3  and  98 - 4 , etc.). While each conductive layer  98  is C-shaped and includes an opening  110 , because of the alternating orientation of conductive layers  98 , each pair  99  collectively includes an entire loop of conductive material (e.g., in a projection onto the X-Y plane) running around central axis  85 . 
     The magnetic field produced by drive current I D  produces current I on conductive layers  98 . Within each pair  99 , the current I on the lower conductive layer  98  in that pair produces a displacement current through the intervening dielectric layer  96  that induces corresponding current Ion the upper conductive layer  98  in that pair (e.g., from conductive layer  98 - 1  to conductive layer  98 - 2  through intervening dielectric layer  96 - 2  in the lower-most pair  99  of stacked conductor structure  80 , from conductive layer  98 - 3  to conductive layer  98 - 4  through intervening dielectric layer  96 - 5  in the second lower-most pair  99  of stacked conductor structure  80 , etc.). This configures the current I in each pair  99  to follow a complete loop path around central axis  85 , such that the conductive layers  98  in each pair  99  effectively acts as one turn of inductance around central axis  85  (e.g., to establish the inductance of coils  36  or  48  of  FIG. 2  for stacked resonant structures  78 ). This process operates in reverse when stacked conductor structure  80  receives signals  44  of  FIG. 2  (e.g., when drive traces  108  are coupled to rectifier  50  of  FIG. 2 ). At the same time, each pair  99  of conductive layers  98  contributes a series capacitance (e.g., a capacitance of C/2 when each pair exhibits a capacitance C) to stacked conductor structure  80  (e.g., to establish the capacitance of capacitors  70  and  72  of  FIG. 2  for stacked resonant structures  78 ). 
     The resonant frequency of stacked conductor structure  80  (and thus stacked resonant structures  78  of  FIG. 3 ) is given by the inductance of one complete turn of conductive material around central axis  85  (e.g., is determined by one pair  99  of conductive layers  98 ). At the same time, the total capacitance of stacked conductor structure  80  is scaled up (without affecting the inductance) as more pairs  99  of conductive layers  98  are added to the stack. In this way, stacked conductor structure  80  exhibits a self-resonance and a parallel-coupled capacitance and inductance between conductive traces  108 , and configures stacked conductor structure  80  to introduce less loss to the system than in scenarios where separate (non-integrated) parallel-coupled capacitors and inductors are used. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of stacked conductor structure  80 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , each pair  99  of conductive layers  98  includes a corresponding odd-numbered conductive layer  98 -ODD (e.g., conductive layers  98 - 1 ,  98 - 3 , etc. in  FIG. 5 ) and a corresponding even-numbered conductive layer  98 -EVEN (e.g., conductive layers  98 - 2 ,  98 - 4 , etc. in  FIG. 5 ). Odd-numbered conductive layers  98 -ODD have openings  110  on a first (e.g., left) side of opening  92  whereas even-numbered conductive layers  98 -EVEN have openings  110  on a second (e.g., right) side of opening  92 . Collectively, each pair  99  of conductive layers  98  has conductive material following an entire loop path around opening  92  when viewed in the vertical direction. 
     Driving structures  106  of  FIG. 5  may include a drive layer integrated within stacked conductor structure  80  or a drive printed circuit board mounted under stacked conductor structure  80  (and at least partially located within magnetic core  82  of  FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 7  is a side view showing how stacked resonant structures  78  may be fed (driven) using driving structures  106  that include a drive layer integrated within stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , driving structures  106  include a substrate such as substrate  120 , conductive interconnect structures such as conductive interconnect structures  122 , and drive traces  98 D. Substrate  120  may be a flexible printed circuit, a rigid printed circuit board, or other substrate. Conductive traces  121  are patterned on substrate  120 . Conductive traces  121  may be coupled to the terminals of host circuitry such as inverter  61  or rectifier  50  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Conductive interconnect structures  122  couple conductive traces  121  to drive traces  98 D. Drive traces  98 D are formed from any desired conductive layer  98  in stacked conductor structure  80 . As an example, drive traces  98 D may be formed from the lower-most conductive layer  98 - 1  in stacked conductor structure  80  ( FIG. 5 ). There may be at least two conductive interconnect structures  122  that respectively couple conductive traces  121  to first and second locations on drive traces  98 D (e.g., so that a loop path is provided for the drive current on the drive traces). Conductive interconnect structures  122  extend through respective holes or openings  124  in magnetic core  82  (e.g., holes or openings formed in bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82 ). Examples in which conductive interconnect structures  122  include conductive contact pads or conductive pins are described herein as examples. This is merely illustrative and, in general, conductive interconnect structures  122  may include conductive contact pads, conductive pins, conductive wire, solder, welds, conductive springs, conductive brackets, conductive adhesive, conductive foam, conductive traces, metal foil, sheet metal, and/or any other desired conductive interconnect structures for coupling conductive traces  121  to drive traces  98 D. Conductive traces  121 , conductive interconnect structures  122 , and drive traces  98 D collectively form drive traces  108  ( FIG. 5 ) for driving structures  106 . Current driven on conductive traces  121  (e.g., current I D  of  FIG. 5 ) also flows through conductive interconnect structures  122  and drive traces  98 D to drive stacked resonant structures  78  (e.g., to produce signals  44  of  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing how stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted within stacked resonant structures  78  in an example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include a pair of conductive contact pads.  FIG. 8  depicts a top view  130  of stacked resonant structures  78  with stacked conductor structure  80  removed, a cross-sectional side view  132  of stacked resonant structures  78  (e.g., as taken along line AA′ of top view  130 ), and a bottom view  134  of stacked resonant structures  78 . 
     As shown in top view  130  of  FIG. 8 , bottom (rear) wall  84  of magnetic core  82  has a first opening  124 - 1  and a second opening  124 - 2 . Central post  88  of magnetic core  82  is inserted into opening  92  and stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted to bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  to form stacked resonant structures  78 . 
     As shown in cross-sectional side view  132 , stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted to bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82 . Stacked conductor structure  80  is laterally interposed between central post  88  and sidewalls  86  of magnetic core  82 . Stacked conductor structure  80  includes alternating conductive layers  98  and dielectric layers  96 . One of the conductive layers  98  (e.g., the bottom-most conductive layer  98 ) forms drive traces  98 D of  FIG. 7 . The conductive layer  98  that forms drive traces  98 D is coupled to conductive contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 . Contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  form at least part of conductive interconnect structures  122  of  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in bottom view  134 , opening  124 - 1  in bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  is aligned with contact pad  136 - 1  of stacked conductor structure  80 . Opening  124 - 2  in bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  is aligned with contact pad  136 - 2  of stacked conductor structure  80 . Contact pads  136  are patterned on respective dielectric legs of stacked conductor structure  80  that protrude through openings  124 . Contact pads  136  are soldered or otherwise electrically coupled to conductive traces  121  on substrate  120  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of drive traces  98 D in stacked conductor structure  80  in the example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include a pair of contact pads (e.g., with the remaining layers of stacked conductor structure  80  removed for the sake of clarity).  FIG. 9  depicts a top view  140  of drive traces  98 D, side views  142  and  146  of drive traces  98 D, and a bottom view  144  showing contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  for drive traces  98 D. 
     As shown in top view  140 , drive traces  98 D (e.g., conductive layer  98 - 1  of  FIG. 5  in scenarios where the lower-most conductive layer  98  is used to form drive traces  98 D) are patterned on an underlying dielectric layer  96 D (e.g., dielectric layer  96 - 1  of  FIG. 5  in scenarios where the lower-most conductive layer  98  is used to form drive traces  98 D). Dielectric layer  96 D may sometimes be referred to herein as dielectric drive layer  96 D. Dielectric drive layer  96 D and drive traces  98 D may sometimes be referred to herein collectively as forming the “drive layer” of stacked conductor structure  80  and thus stacked resonant structures  78 . Drive traces  98 D may extend substantially around central axis  85  and include opening  110  that prevents the drive traces from forming a full loop around central axis  85 . 
     As shown in side views  142  and  146 , dielectric drive layer  96 D has dielectric legs  152  extending vertically away from drive traces  98 D. Contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  are patterned on the bottom surface of respective legs  152 . Legs  152  have length  150  that is sufficiently long so as to allow legs  152  to protrude through openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2  of magnetic core  82  ( FIG. 8 ). Conductive traces are patterned on the side surfaces of legs  152  to couple drive traces  98 D to contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 . Dielectric drive layer  96 D has a thickness  148  that may, if desired, be thicker than the thickness  102  ( FIG. 5 ) of the other dielectric layers  96  in stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     As shown in bottom view  144 , contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  are patterned on the bottom surface of respective legs  152 . Contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  may be surface mount contact pads (e.g., reflow-solderable pads) that are soldered and electrically connected to conductive traces  121  of  FIG. 7 . 
     The example of  FIGS. 8 and 9  in which drive traces  98 D are driven (fed) using a pair of contact pads  136  is merely illustrative. In another suitable arrangement, drive traces  98 D may be driven using a pair of conductive pins.  FIG. 10  is a diagram showing how stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted within stacked resonant structures  78  in an example where conductive interconnect structures  122  ( FIG. 7 ) include a pair of conductive pins.  FIG. 10  depicts a top view  160  of stacked resonant structures  78  with stacked conductor structure  80  removed, a cross-sectional side view  162  of stacked resonant structures  78  (e.g., as taken along line BB′ of top view  160 ), and a bottom view  164  of stacked resonant structures  78 . 
     As shown in top view  160  of  FIG. 10 , bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  has a first opening  124 - 1  and a second opening  124 - 2 . Central post  88  of magnetic core  82  is inserted into opening  92  and stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted to bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  to form stacked resonant structures  78 . 
     As shown in cross-sectional side view  162 , stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted to bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82 . Stacked conductor structure  80  is laterally interposed between central post  88  and sidewalls  86  of magnetic core  82 . Stacked conductor structure  80  includes alternating conductive layers  98  and dielectric layers  96 . One of the conductive layers  98  (e.g., the bottom-most conductive layer  98 ) forms drive traces  98 D of  FIG. 7 . The conductive layer  98  that forms drive traces  98 D is coupled to conductive pins  166 - 1  and  166 - 2 . Conductive pins  166 - 1  and  166 - 2  form part of conductive interconnect structures  122  of  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in bottom view  164 , opening  124 - 1  in bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  is aligned with conductive pin  166 - 1  of stacked conductor structure  80 . Opening  124 - 2  in bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  is aligned with conductive pin  166 - 2  of stacked conductor structure  80 . Conductive pins  166  protrude vertically through openings  124 . Conductive pins  166  are pressed against conductive traces  121  on substrate  120  of  FIG. 7 . Conductive pins  166  may be soldered or otherwise affixed to conductive traces  121 . 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram of drive traces  98 D in stacked conductor structure  80  in the example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include a pair of conductive pins (e.g., with the remaining layers of stacked conductor structure  80  removed for the sake of clarity).  FIG. 11  depicts a top view  170  of drive traces  98 D, cross-sectional side view  172  and side view  176  of drive traces  98 D, and a bottom view  174  showing conductive pins  166 - 1  and  166 - 2  for drive traces  98 D. 
     As shown in top view  170 , drive traces  98 D are patterned on the top surface of an underlying dielectric drive layer  96 D. As shown in cross-sectional side view  172  (e.g., as taken along line CC′ of top view  170 ) and side view  176 , conductive pins  166 - 1  and  166 - 2  may extend from drive traces  98 D through dielectric drive layer  96 D (e.g., through holes in dielectric drive layer  96 D) or may extend from the bottom surface of dielectric drive layer  96 D (e.g., conductive through vias in dielectric drive layer  96 D may couple drive traces  98 D to the conductive pins in this scenario). Conductive pins  166 - 1  and  166 - 2  may have a length  150  that is sufficiently long so as to allow conductive pins  166 - 1  and  166 - 2  to protrude through openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2  of magnetic core  82  ( FIG. 10 ). 
     The examples of  FIGS. 8-11  in which a pair of conductive interconnect structures  122  (e.g., two contact pads  136  or two conductive pins  166 ) are used to drive the drive traces  98 D in stacked resonant structures  78  are merely illustrative. In another suitable arrangement, three conductive interconnect structures  122  may be used to drive the drive traces  98 D in stacked resonant structures  78 . The third conductive interconnect structure may be coupled to a third terminal of the host circuitry (e.g., a third terminal of inverter  61  or rectifier  50  of  FIG. 2 ). For example, in scenarios where inverter  61  includes center tap terminal  77  or rectifier  50  includes center tap terminal  79  of  FIG. 2 , the third conductive interconnect structure may couple drive traces  98 D to the center tap terminal. 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram showing how stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted within stacked resonant structures  78  in an example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include three conductive contact pads. 
     As shown in bottom view  134  of  FIG. 12 , bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  includes a third opening  124 - 3 . Third opening  124 - 3  is shown on a side of central axis  85  opposite to openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2  in  FIG. 12 . This is merely illustrative and, in general, third opening  124 - 3  may be at any desired location on bottom wall  84  (e.g., interposed between openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2 , located at the same side of central axis  85  as openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2 , etc.). Stacked conductor structure  80  includes a third contact pad  136 - 3  aligned with third opening  124 - 3 . As shown in cross-sectional side view  132  of  FIG. 12 , third contact pad  136 - 3  is formed on the bottom surface of a corresponding leg  152  that protrudes through opening  124 - 3 . 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram of drive traces  98 D in stacked conductor structure  80  in the example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include three contact pads (e.g., with the remaining layers of stacked conductor structure  80  removed for the sake of clarity). As shown in side views  142  and  146  of  FIG. 13 , contact pad  136 - 3  is patterned on the bottom surface of a respective leg  152  of dielectric drive layer  96 D. Conductive traces are patterned on the side surfaces of legs  152  to couple drive traces  98 D to contact pads  136 - 1 ,  136 - 2 , and  136 - 3 . Contact pads  136 - 1 ,  136 - 2 , and  136 - 3  may be surface mount contact pads (e.g., reflow-solderable pads) that are soldered to conductive traces  121  of  FIG. 7 . Contact pad  136 - 1  may, for example, be coupled to center tap terminals  77  or  79  of  FIG. 2  over conductive traces  121  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing how stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted within stacked resonant structures  78  in an example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include three conductive pins. 
     As shown in bottom view  164  of  FIG. 14 , bottom wall  84  of magnetic core  82  includes a third opening  124 - 3 . Third opening  124 - 3  is shown on a side of central axis  85  opposite to openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2  in  FIG. 14 . This is merely illustrative and, in general, third opening  124 - 3  may be at any desired location on bottom wall  84  (e.g., interposed between openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2 , located at the same side of central axis  85  as openings  124 - 1  and  124 - 2 , etc.). Stacked conductor structure  80  includes a third conductive pin  166 - 3  aligned with third opening  124 - 3 . As shown in cross-sectional side view  162  of  FIG. 12 , third conductive pin  166 - 3  extends from drive traces  98 D in stacked conductor structure  80  and through opening  124 - 3 . 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram of drive traces  98 D in stacked conductor structure  80  in the example where conductive interconnect structures  122  include three conductive pins (e.g., with the remaining layers of stacked conductor structure  80  removed for the sake of clarity). As shown in cross-sectional side view  172  and side view  176  of  FIG. 15 , conductive pin  166 - 3  extends from drive traces  98 D and through dielectric drive layer  96 D. Conductive pins  166 - 1 ,  166 - 2 , and  166 - 3  may be pressed against conductive traces  121  of  FIG. 7 . Conductive pins  166 - 1 ,  166 - 2 , and  166 - 3  may be soldered or otherwise affixed to conductive traces  121 . Conductive pin  166 - 3  may, for example, be coupled to center tap terminals  77  or  79  of  FIG. 2  over conductive traces  121 . 
     If desired, stacked conductor structure  80  may include an integral shield layer.  FIG. 16  is a diagram of stacked conductor structure  80  in an example where stacked conductor structure  80  includes an integral shield layer.  FIG. 16  depicts a top view  200  of stacked conductor structure  80  (with a top-most dielectric layer  96 T removed), side views  202  and  206  of stacked conductor structure  80 , and a bottom view  204  of stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     As shown in side views  202  and  206 , stacked conductor structure  80  includes (N−1) conductive layers  98  that are driven by drive traces  98 D. Stacked conductor structure  80  also includes a conductive layer  98  that forms a shield for stacked conductor structure  80  (referred to herein as (conductive) shield layer  98 S). Shield layer  98 S is the top-most conductive layer of stacked conductor structure  80  (e.g., the conductive layer closest to the open end of magnetic core  82 ). Shield layer  98 S is patterned onto an underlying dielectric layer  96  (referred to herein as shield dielectric layer  96 S). Shield dielectric layer  96 S may, for example, form dielectric layer  96 -N of  FIG. 5  or there may be additional dielectric layers  96  interposed between shield layer  98 S and conductive layer  98 -(N−1). Top-most dielectric layer  96 T may be layered over shield layer  98 S or may be omitted if desired. Shield dielectric layer  96 S has a thickness  212  that may, if desired, be greater than the thickness  102  ( FIG. 5 ) of the other dielectric layers  96  in stacked conductor structure  80 . Shield layer  98 S has a thickness  210  that may, if desired, be greater than the thickness  104  ( FIG. 5 ) of the other conductive layers  98  in stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     The N- 1  conductive layers  98  underneath shield layer  98 S are driven by drive layer  98 D. In contrast, shield layer  98 S is not driven by drive layer  98 D. Shield layer  98 S is coupled to shield contact pad  136 S at the bottom surface of stacked conductor structure  80  by conductive (grounding) traces  208  extending vertically down the side of stacked conductor structure  80 . Shield contact pad  136 S is coupled (e.g., soldered) to ground traces or traces at another reference potential in conductive traces  121  of  FIG. 7 . Shield contact pad  136 S is patterned on the bottom surface of a leg  152  that protrudes through a corresponding opening in magnetic core  82 . This configures shield layer  98 S to serve as an electrostatic shield for stacked conductor structure  80  that optimizes the performance of stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     As shown in top view  200  of  FIG. 16 , shield layer  98 S has a gap  209  about central axis  85  (e.g., central post  88 ) that prevents shield layer  98 S from forming a complete loop around central axis  85 . This allows shield layer  98 S to optimize the performance of stacked conductor structure  80  without completely blocking stacked resonant structures  78  from conveying signals  44  of  FIG. 2 . Gap  209  may be the same size as openings  110  in the other conductive layers  98  or may be a different size. 
     As shown in bottom view  204  of  FIG. 16 , shield contact pad  136  is located at a side of central axis  85  opposite to contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 . This is merely illustrative. If desired, shield contact pad  136  may be located at the same side of central axis  85 , as shown in side views  202  and  206  and bottom view  204  of  FIG. 17 . In the example of  FIG. 17 , shield contact pad  136 S (and the corresponding leg  152 ) is interposed between contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2 . This is merely illustrative and, in general, shield contact pad  136 S may be disposed at any desired location on stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     The examples of  FIGS. 16 and 17  in which stacked conductor structure  80  includes two contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  in addition to shield contact pad  136 S is merely illustrative.  FIG. 18  is a diagram showing how stacked conductor structure  80  may include contact pads  136 - 1 ,  136 - 2 , and  136 - 3  in addition to shield contact pad  136 S. As shown in bottom view  204  of  FIG. 18 , third contact pad  136 - 3  (e.g., a contact pad for a center tap conductor of the inverter or rectifier) is located at a first side of central axis  85  whereas contact pads  136 - 1  and  136 - 2  and shield contact pad  136 S are located at an opposing second side of central axis  85 . This example is merely illustrative. Shield contact pad  136 S and contact pads  136 - 1 ,  136 - 2 , and  136 - 3  may be disposed at any desired locations on the bottom surface of stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     The examples of  FIGS. 16-18  in which stacked conductor structure  80  includes shield layer  98 S and is driven by contact pads is merely illustrative. In another suitable arrangement, contact pads  136 - 1 ,  136 - 2 ,  136 - 3  and  136 S and legs  152  of  FIGS. 16-18  are replaced with conductive pins  166  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 10, 11, 14, and 15 ). In this arrangement, a shield conductive pin is coupled to conductive traces  208  to short shield layer  98 S to ground traces in conductive traces  121  of  FIG. 7 . The shield conductive pin may be soldered to the ground traces if desired. The examples of  FIGS. 16-18  in which the shield layer is formed integral to stacked conductor structure  80  is merely illustrative. In another suitable arrangement, shield layer  98 S is formed from a grounded conductive layer that is placed over stacked conductor structure  80  and overlapping the conductive traces in stacked conductor structure  80  (e.g., shield layer  98 S may form a part of stacked resonant structures  78  and may be mounted within magnetic core  82  but external to stacked conductor structure  80 , or may be mounted over magnetic core  82  and external to stacked resonant structures  78 ). If desired, drive traces  98 D may include multiple turns (loops) on dielectric layer  96 D and about central axis  85  (rather than a single turn or loop as shown in the examples of  FIGS. 9, 11, 13, and 15 ). In these scenarios, conductive vias may extend through dielectric layer  96 D to accommodate the multiple turns around central axis  85 . 
     The examples of  FIGS. 7-18  in which stacked conductor structure  80  is driven using drive traces  98 D (e.g., where driving structures  106  of  FIG. 5  are formed from drive traces  98 D, conductive interconnect structures  122 , conductive traces  121 , and substrate  120  of  FIG. 7 ) is merely illustrative. In another suitable arrangement, stacked conductor is fed using a drive printed circuit board (e.g., driving structures  106  of  FIG. 5  may include a drive printed circuit board mounted under stacked conductor structure  80 ).  FIG. 19  is a side view showing how stacked resonant structures  78  may be driven using driving structures  106  that include a drive printed circuit board layered under stacked conductor structure  80 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , driving structures  106  include a drive printed circuit board such as drive printed circuit board  230 . Drive printed circuit board  230  may be a flexible printed circuit, a rigid printed circuit board, or other printed circuit board. Drive traces  108  are patterned on drive printed circuit board  230 . Drive traces  108  may be coupled to the terminals of host circuitry such as inverter  61  or rectifier  50  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Drive printed circuit board  230  extends through opening (hole)  232  in magnetic core  82  of stacked resonator structures  78 . Drive printed circuit board  230  has a first portion (region)  242  located within magnetic core  82  and a second portion (region)  240  (sometimes referred to herein as tail  240 ) that is external to and protruding from magnetic core  82 . Stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted to first portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  within magnetic core  82 . Current driven on drive traces  108  in first portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  (e.g., current I D  of  FIG. 5 ) drives stacked resonant structures  78  (e.g., to produce signals  44  of  FIG. 2 ). The example of  FIG. 19  is merely illustrative. If desired, stacked resonant structures  78  may include multiple stacked conductor structures  80  within magnetic core  82 . For example, stacked resonant structures  78  may include a first stacked conductor structure  80  mounted over first portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  and a second stacked conductor structure  80  mounted under first portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  (e.g., first portion  242  may be vertically interposed or sandwiched between the first and second stacked conductor structures). In this scenario, current driven on first portion  242  drives both the first and second stacked conductor structures. 
       FIGS. 20A-20C  show drive printed circuit board  230  in an example where drive traces  108  include a single turn of conductive traces around central axis  85  of stacked resonant structures  78 .  FIG. 20A  is a top view of drive printed circuit board  230  without magnetic core  82  or the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 . As shown in  FIG. 20A , drive traces  108  include a first drive trace  108 - 1  and a second drive trace  108 - 2  on tail  240 . Drive traces  108 - 1  and  108 - 2  may be respectively coupled to first and second terminals of host circuitry such as inverter  61  or rectifier  50  of  FIG. 2 , for example. 
     Portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  extends around central axis  85  (e.g., around opening  92  in the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 ). Drive traces  108  on drive printed circuit board  230  include a single turn or loop  241  coupled between drive traces  108 - 1  and  108 - 2  and extending around central axis  85  on portion  242 . Drive current (e.g., current I D  of  FIG. 5 ) flows between drive traces  108 - 1  and  108 - 2  and around loop  241  to create a magnetic field (e.g., magnetic field B of  FIG. 5 ) that inductively couples into the overlying stacked conductor structure  80  (e.g., to produce current I on conductive layers  98  of  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 20B  is a top view of drive printed circuit board  230  inserted within magnetic core  82  but without the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 . As shown in  FIG. 20B , portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  extends around central post  88  and lies within magnetic core  82  (e.g., drive printed circuit board  230  is laterally interposed between central post  88  and sidewalls  86 ). Stacked conductor structure  80  is mounted on top of portion  242  within magnetic core  82 . 
       FIG. 20C  is a bottom view of drive printed circuit board  230  inserted within magnetic core  82 . As shown in  FIG. 20C , tail  240  is external to and protruding from magnetic core  82 . 
     The example of  FIGS. 20A-20C  in which portion  242  of drive printed circuit board  230  includes only a single turn or loop of conductive traces about central axis  85  is merely illustrative.  FIGS. 21A-21C  show drive printed circuit board  230  in an example where drive traces  108  include two turns of conductive traces around central axis  85  of stacked resonant structures  78 . 
       FIG. 21A  is a top view of drive printed circuit board  230  without magnetic core  82  or the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 . As shown in  FIG. 21A , drive traces  108  include drive traces  108 - 3  extending in a first (e.g., outer) loop around central axis  85  and drive traces  108 - 4  extending in a second (e.g., inner) loop around central axis  85 . Drive traces  108 - 3  are coupled to drive traces  108 - 1  and  108 - 2 . Drive traces  108 - 3  are coupled to drive traces  108 - 4  at cross-over  250 . Cross-over  250  allows drive traces  108  to wrap around central axis  85  multiple times without each loop shorting together. For example, drive printed circuit board  230  may include multiple dielectric layers, where a dielectric layer above or beneath the dielectric layer used to support conductive traces  108 - 3  and  108 - 4  is used to form cross-over  250  (e.g., cross-over  250  may include conductive vias extending through one or more of the dielectric layers or a dielectric interposer may be used to prevent shorting of conductive traces  108 - 3  and  108 - 4 ). When arranged in this way, drive traces  108  are provided in a balanced winding arrangement about central axis  85 . This is merely illustrative and, in general, drive traces  108  need not be balanced about central axis  85 .  FIG. 21B  is a top view of drive printed circuit board  230  inserted within magnetic core  82  but without the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 .  FIG. 21C  is a bottom view of drive printed circuit board  230  inserted within magnetic core  82 . 
     The example of  FIGS. 20A-21C  in which drive printed circuit board  230  includes two drive traces  108 - 1  and  108 - 2  coupled to the terminals of inverter  61  or rectifier  50  ( FIG. 2 ) is merely illustrative. In another suitable arrangement, drive printed circuit board  230  includes three drive traces coupled to the terminals of inverter  61  or rectifier  50 .  FIGS. 22A-22C  show drive printed circuit board  230  in an example where drive printed circuit board  230  includes three drive traces coupled to the terminals of host circuitry such as inverter  61  or rectifier  50 . 
       FIG. 22A  is a top view of drive printed circuit board  230  without magnetic core  82  or the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 . As shown in  FIG. 22A , drive traces  108  include an additional drive trace  108 - 5  on tail  240 . Drive trace  108 - 5  may, for example, be coupled to the center tap terminal of inverter  61  or rectifier  50  ( FIG. 2 ). In the example of  FIG. 22A , drive trace  108 - 5  is coupled to the inner loop of drive trace  108 - 4 . When arranged in this way, drive traces  108  are provided in a balanced winding arrangement about central axis  85 . This is merely illustrative and, in general, drive traces  108  need not be balanced about central axis  85 .  FIG. 22B  is a top view of drive printed circuit board  230  inserted within magnetic core  82  but without the overlying stacked conductor structure  80 .  FIG. 22C  is a bottom view of drive printed circuit board  230  inserted within magnetic core  82 . 
     In general, drive traces  108  may include any desired number of turns or loops about central axis  85  (e.g., one turn as shown in  FIGS. 20A-20C , two turns as shown in  FIGS. 21A-22C , three turns, four turns, more than four turns, etc.). Providing drive traces  108  with an even number of turns may, for example, allow drive traces  108  to exhibit a balanced driving arrangement. However, drive traces  108  need not be balanced. If desired, shield layer  98 S of  FIGS. 16-18  may be provided over stacked conductor structure  80  and coupled to ground traces or other traces held at a reference potential on drive printed circuit board  230  in arrangements where stacked resonant structures  78  are driven using drive printed circuit board  230  of  FIGS. 19-22C . 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200814
Publication Date: 20220712
Grant Date: 20220712
Priority Date: 20190927
Inventors: PARNELL, ROBERT S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02J50/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F5/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09236", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F3/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0296", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F41/043", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0296", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09236", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 75162260