Coldplate with Integrated DC Link Capacitor for Cooling Thereof

• US 20150334875A1
• Filed: 07/22/2015
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Topolewski, John N., Brar, Parminder, Rai, Rutunj, Duco, Michael Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,615,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/01 Frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/56 Cooling; Ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20254 Cold plates transferring heat from heat source to coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20927 Liquid coolant without phase change

Abstract

A coldplate for use with an inverter of an electric vehicle includes a coldplate member. The coldplate member includes a pocket configured to receive a DC link capacitor of the inverter therein. The pocket is sized to surround the DC link capacitor when the DC link capacitor is received within the pocket to thereby provide physical integration of the DC link capacitor in the coldplate member.

Claims

1. A coldplate for use with an inverter of an electric vehicle, the coldplate comprising:

a coldplate member including a pocket configured to receive a DC link capacitor of the inverter therein, the pocket being sized to surround the DC link capacitor when the DC link capacitor is received within the pocket to thereby provide physical integration of the DC link capacitor in the coldplate member.

2. The coldplate of claim 1 further comprising:

a second coldplate member; and

wherein the coldplate members are adapted to be joined together to form a manifold therebetween proximate to the pocket to receive a fluid for use in cooling the DC link capacitor when the DC link capacitor is received within the pocket.

3. The coldplate of claim 1 further comprising:

a potting material received within the pocket, the potting material surrounding the DC link capacitor when the DC link capacitor is received within the pocket.

4. The coldplate of claim 3 wherein:

the potting material provides heat transfer, electrical isolation, and mechanical support to the DC link capacitor when the DC link capacitor is received in the pocket.

5. The coldplate of claim 1 wherein:

the pocket has a depth corresponding to a height of the DC link capacitor.

6. The coldplate of claim 1 wherein:

the pocket has a shape corresponding to a shape of the DC link capacitor.

7. The coldplate of claim 1 wherein:

the pocket includes a floor and one or more walls, the floor of the pocket being arranged on a side of the coldplate member and the walls of the pocket extending from the floor of the pocket outward from the side of the coldplate member whereby the pocket opens outward from the side of the coldplate member.

8. An assembly for an electric vehicle, the assembly comprising:

an inverter including a DC link capacitor;

a coldplate including a coldplate member having a pocket; and

wherein the DC link capacitor is received within the pocket to thereby be physically integrated in the coldplate.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the DC link capacitor is a naked DC link capacitor lacking an encapsulation housing.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the coldplate further includes a potting material received within the pocket, the potting material surrounding the DC link capacitor.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein:

the potting material provides heat transfer, electrical isolation, and mechanical support to the DC link capacitor.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein:

the DC link capacitor includes a stack of film capacitors; and

the potting material surrounds the stack of film capacitors of the DC link capacitor.

13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the pocket includes a floor and one or more walls, the floor of the pocket being arranged on a side of the coldplate member and the walls of the pocket extending from the floor of the pocket outward from the side of the coldplate member whereby the pocket opens outward from the side of the coldplate member.

14. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the coldplate further includes a second coldplate member; and

the coldplate members are adapted to be joined together to form a manifold therebetween proximate to the pocket to receive a fluid for use in cooling the DC link capacitor.

15. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the pocket has a shape corresponding to a shape of the DC link capacitor.