INVERTER ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM

• US 20180166995A1
• Filed: 12/14/2016
• Published: 06/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Friedlund, Jason E., Nakanishi, Todd G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,291,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/06 using dc to ac converters or inverters H02P27/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14324 comprising modular units, e.g. DIN rail mounted units

Abstract

An inverter assembly for a power system is provided. The inverter assembly includes a plurality of stackable housing members and a plurality of inverter units received within the plurality of stackable housing members. Each of the plurality of inverter units includes a filter capacitor having a plurality of auxiliary connectors extending outwardly. The inverter assembly also includes a bus bar configured to be connected to the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units to establish electrical connection among the plurality of inverter units.

Claims

1. An inverter assembly for a power system, the inverter assembly comprising:

a plurality of stackable housing members, each of the plurality of stackable housing members having a cavity;

a plurality of inverter units, each of the plurality of inverter units received within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of stackable housing members, wherein each of the plurality of inverter units includes a filter capacitor having a plurality of auxiliary connectors extending outwardly; and

a bus bar configured to be connected to the plurality of auxiliary connectors, of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units, to establish an electrical connection between the plurality of inverter units.

2. The inverter assembly of claim 1, wherein the bus bar comprises:

a first electrode plate configured to be coupled to one or more first auxiliary connectors of the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units; and

a second electrode plate electrically insulated from the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate being configured to be coupled to one or more second auxiliary connectors of the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units.

3. The inverter assembly of claim 2, wherein the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are laminated through an insulating material.

4. The inverter assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary connectors includes an elongated portion extending from the filter capacitor towards the bus bar.

5. The inverter assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary connectors includes a connecting portion, extending orthogonally from the elongated portion, to be coupled with the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate.

6. The inverter assembly of claim 2, wherein the first electrode plate includes copper.

7. The inverter assembly of claim 2, wherein the second electrode plate includes copper.

8. A power system comprising:

a power source; and

an inverter assembly connected to the power source to receive one of an Alternating Current (AC) input and a Direct Current (DC) input, the inverter assembly comprising;

a plurality of stackable housing members, each of the plurality of stackable housing members having a cavity;

a plurality of inverter units, each of the plurality of inverter units received within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of stackable housing members, wherein each of the plurality of inverter units includes a filter capacitor having a plurality of auxiliary connectors extending outwardly; and

a bus bar configured to be connected to the filter capacitor to establish electrical connection between the plurality of inverter units.

9. The power system of claim 8, wherein the bus bar comprises:

a first electrode plate configured to be coupled to one or more first auxiliary connectors of the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units; and

a second electrode plate electrically insulated from the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate being configured to be coupled to one or more second auxiliary connectors of the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units.

10. The power system of claim 9, wherein the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are laminated through an insulating material.

11. The power system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary connectors includes an elongated portion extending from the filter capacitor towards the bus bar.

12. The power system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary connectors a connecting portion extending orthogonally from the elongated portion, to be coupled with the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate.

13. The power system of claim 9, wherein the first electrode plate includes copper.

14. The power system of claim 9, wherein the second electrode plate includes copper.

15. A bus bar for electrically coupling a plurality of inverter units of an inverter assembly, the bus bar comprising:

a first electrode plate configured to be coupled to one or more first auxiliary connectors of a plurality of auxiliary connectors of a filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units; and

a second electrode plate electrically insulated from the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate being configured to be coupled to one or more second auxiliary connectors of the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units.

wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary connectors includes an elongated portion extending from the filter capacitor towards the bus bar and a connecting portion extending orthogonally from the elongated portion to couple with the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate.

16. The bus bar of claim 15, wherein a width of the bus bar is greater than a length of the bus bar.

17. The bus bar of claim 15, wherein the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are laminated through an insulating material.

18. The bus bar of claim 15, wherein the first electrode plate includes copper.

19. The bus bar of claim 15, wherein the second electrode plate includes copper.

20. (canceled)