Cooling system for a power electronics module to drive at least on electrical unit in a motor vehicle

• US 20020124997A1
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Continental Isad Electronics Systems GmbH & Co. OhG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Isad Electronics Systems GmbH & Co. OhG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Blome, Frank
• Application Number:
  US09/733,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20020124997A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/104.21
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/00 Starting of engines by means of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/427 Cooling by change of state, e.g. use of heat pipes by liquefied gas H01L23/445
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20881 Liquid coolant with phase change
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20936 Liquid coolant with phase change

Abstract

The invention is directed to a cooling system for a power electronics module to drive at least one unit in a motor vehicle, in particular a starter motor/generator, with a pressure sealed compartment (2) for housing an electronic assembly (1) and a bath (3) of electrically isolating primary coolant surrounding this, boiling, at operating pressure, at a temperature which does not exceed the permissible operating temperature of the electronic assembly (1), and a heat exchanger (5), fitted above the meniscus of the primary coolant or linked to it by means of a connecting assembly (9), whereby the primary coolant vaporized in the electronic assembly (1) reaches the heat exchanger (5) as vapor, there condenses and returns to the bath (30, thus providing circulation of the primary coolant. A secondary cooling circuit with a secondary coolant, has a cooler (8) cooling the heat exchanger (5). The secondary cooling circuit (6) has at least one low point for the coolant below the level of the heat exchanger (5) and a pump (7) to force a circulating flow of the secondary coolant.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a power electronics module to drive at least one electrical unit in a motor vehicle, in particular a starter motor/generator, comprising

a pressure sealed compartment (2) for housing an electrical assembly (1) and a bath (3) of electrically isolating primary coolant surrounding this, boiling, at operating pressure, at a temperature which does not exceed the maximum permissible operating temperature of the electronic assembly (1),

a heat exchanger (5), fitted above the meniscus of the primary coolant, or linked with this by means of a connecting device (9), whereby primary coolant vaporised in the electrical assembly (1) reaches the heat exchanger (5) as vapour, there condenses and flows back to the bath (3), thus providing circulation of the primary coolant,

a secondary cooling circuit, with a secondary coolant, having a cooler (8) cooling the heat exchanger (5), he secondary cooling circuit (6) having at least one low point for the coolant below the level of the heat exchanger (5) and the secondary cooling circuit (6) having a pump (7) to force a circulating flow of the secondary coolant.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the low point coolant is formed by the cooler (3).

3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (5) is fitted in or on the compartment (2).

4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the cooler is cooled by means of a current of air.