Compact fluid cooled power converter supporting multiple circuit boards
First Claim
1. A modular power converter comprising:
- a thermal support configured to receive and circulate a coolant stream for extraction of heat; and
at least two power electronics circuits directly secured on the thermal support, the power electronics circuits including a switching circuit for outputting controlled output power, and a second circuit for enabling operation of the switching circuit, the power electronics circuits generating heat during operation that is at least partially extracted by the coolant stream via the thermal support.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support, in conjunction with other packaging features may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A modular power converter comprising:
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a thermal support configured to receive and circulate a coolant stream for extraction of heat; and
at least two power electronics circuits directly secured on the thermal support, the power electronics circuits including a switching circuit for outputting controlled output power, and a second circuit for enabling operation of the switching circuit, the power electronics circuits generating heat during operation that is at least partially extracted by the coolant stream via the thermal support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A modular power converter for providing three phase, controlled frequency AC power signals to a load, the converter comprising:
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a thermal support configured to receive and to circulate a coolant stream;
a control circuit;
a driver circuit supported by the thermal support and coupled to the control circuit to receive control signals from the control circuit;
a power converter circuit coupled to the driver circuit to receive drive signals for outputting a controlled frequency output power, the inverter circuit including a plurality of power electronic device subassemblies bonded to a substrate for converting input power to AC power signals based upon the drive signals; and
a capacitor circuit coupled to the power converter circuit;
wherein at least the substrate of the inverter circuit is supported on the thermal support and extracting heat from the power electronic device subassemblies during operation of the power converter circuit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A modular power converter providing three phase, controlled frequency AC power signals to a load, the converter comprising:
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a thermal support having first and second sides and configured to receive and to circulate a coolant stream;
a power converter circuit for outputting a controlled frequency output power, the converter circuit including a plurality of power electronic device subassemblies bonded to at least one substrate; and
an energy storage circuit coupled to the converter circuit;
wherein the substrate of the converter circuit is supported on the first side of the thermal support and the energy storage circuit is supported on the second side of the thermal support, whereby the coolant stream extracts heat from the substrate and the energy storage circuit during operation of the power converter circuit. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A modular power converter providing three phase, controlled frequency AC power signals to a load, the converter comprising:
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a thermal support having first and second sides and configured to receive and to circulate a coolant stream;
a first power converter circuit for outputting a controlled frequency output power, the converter circuit including a plurality of power electronic device subassemblies secured to at least one first substrate; and
a second power converter circuit for outputting a controlled frequency output power, the converter circuit including a plurality of power electronic device subassemblies secured to a second substrate;
wherein the at least one first substrate is supported on the first side of the thermal support and the at least one second substrate is supported on the second side of the thermal support, whereby the coolant stream extracts heat from the first and second substrates during operation of the converter. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A modular power converter comprising:
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a controlled power electronics circuit including solid state switches configured to convert incoming power to controlled outgoing power;
a driver circuit coupled to the power electronics circuit for controlling operation of the solid state switches; and
a fluid cooled support on which the power electronics circuit and the driver circuit are directly secured, the fluid cooled support including inlet and outlet ports for a cooling fluid and an internal fluid conduit for directing flow of cooling fluid adjacent to the power electronics circuit and the driver circuit for removal of heat therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A modular power converter comprising:
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a controlled power electronics circuit including solid state switches configured to convert incoming power to controlled outgoing power;
at least one additional circuit coupled to the power electronics circuit for operation of the solid state switches; and
a fluid cooled support on which the power electronics circuit and the at least one additional circuit are directly secured, the fluid cooled support including inlet and outlet ports for a cooling fluid and an internal fluid conduit for directing flow of cooling fluid adjacent to the power electronics circuit and the at least one additional circuit for removal of heat therefrom, at least a portion of the power electronics circuit being secured to a first side of the support and at least a portion of the at least one additional circuit being secured to a second side of the support opposite the first side. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A modular power converter comprising:
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a plurality of power electronics circuits including solid state switches configured to convert incoming power to controlled outgoing power; and
a fluid cooled support on which the power electronics circuits are directly secured, the fluid cooled support including inlet and outlet ports for a cooling fluid and an internal fluid conduit for directing flow of cooling fluid adjacent to the power electronics circuits for removal of heat therefrom;
wherein the plurality of power electronics circuits are secured to a plurality of sides of the support. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification