Miniature transformers adapted for use in galvanic isolators and the like

1. An apparatus comprising:

a primary winding;

a secondary winding, wherein one of said primary and secondary windings comprises a first component coil, said first component coil comprising:

a power pad at each end thereof;

a first substrate having a first substantially planar insulating layer of material having first top and first bottom surfaces;

a first trace on said first top surface, said first trace having a first outer end and a first inner end, a first spiral conductor being connected between said first outer and inner ends;

a second trace on said first bottom surface, said second trace having a second outer end and a second inner end, a second spiral conductor being connected between said second outer and inner ends; and:

a conductor connecting said first inner end of said first trace to said second inner end of said second trace; and

an insulator separating said primary and secondary windings, said primary and secondary windings being aligned such that a portion of the magnetic field generated by said first component coil passes through the other of said primary and secondary windings when a potential difference is applied between said power pads of said first component coil.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first layer of magnetic shielding material and a second layer of magnetic shielding material, said first and second layers of magnetic shielding material being positioned to inhibit a magnetic field generated in said primary and secondary windings from extending beyond said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said insulator comprises glass, Kapton, or a ceramic material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further compriing a transmitter that receives an input signal from a source external to said apparatus and applies a signal determined by said input signal to said primary winding; and a receiver connected to said secondary winding that generates an output signal determined by said input signal, said output signal being coupled to a device external to said apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the other of said primary and secondary windings comprises a second component coil; wherein said second component coil comprises:

a second substrate having a second substantially planar insulating layer of material having second top and second bottom surfaces,

a third trace on said second top surface, said third trace having a third outer end and a third inner end, a third spiral conductor being connected between said third outer and inner ends,

a fourth trace on said second bottom surface, said fourth trace having a fourth outer end and a fourth inner end, a fourth spiral conductor being connected between said fourth outer and inner ends; and

a conductor connecting said third inner end of said third trace to said fourth inner end of said fourth trace.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said primary winding further comprises a third component coil aligned with said first component such that a portion of the magnetic field generated by said third component coil passes through the first trace in said second component coil when a potential difference is applied between the power pads of said first component coil.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third component coil is connected in series with said first component coil.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third component coil is connected in parallel with said first component coil.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first component coil comprises a layer of magnetically-active material overlying a central region of or within the first spiral conductor, said layer not overlying said first spiral conductor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said magnetically-active material comprises ferrite.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

a power inverter that a receives power signal from a source external to said apparatus and converts that power signal to an AC signal that is applied between said power pads of said first component coil; and

a signal converter connected to said power pads of said second component coil that generates DC power that is applied to a component of said apparatus to power that component.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said power signal comprises a DC signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said power signal comprises a pulse train.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a galvanic isolator comprising a

a split circuit element having first and second portions;

a transmitter that receives an input data signal and couples a signal derived from said data signal to said first portion; and

a receiver that is connected to said second portion and generates an output data signal, wherein either said receiver or said transmitter is powered by said generated DC power.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first portion of said split circuit element comprises a third component coil and said second portion of said split circuit element comprises a fourth component coil.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the substrate of said third component coil is part of the layer of insulating material included in said first component coil.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first spiral conductor includes a continuous and gradually widening first linear conductor that forms a first curve around a first central region and wherein said second spiral conductor includes a continuous and gradually widening second linear conductor that forms a second curve around a second central region.