Modular power electronics die having integrated cooling apparatus

• US 6,141,219 A
• Filed: 12/23/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Downing, Robert Scott, Sutrina, Thomas Albert, Wilkinson, Scott Palmer
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US09/220,114
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/685, 361/687-692, 361/695-699, 361/704-710, 361/717-722, 361/784-785, 257/706-727, 257/689-692, 257/698, 257/699, 428/64, 428/65, 428/195, 428/522, 174/16.3, 165/80.3, 165/80.4, 165/46, 165/146, 165/104.33, 165/185, 165/80.2, 29/890.03, 29/521, 29/557, 29/505
• US Class Current: 361/704
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/42 Fillings or auxiliary members in containers or encapsulations selected or arranged to facilitate heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/473 by flowing liquids H01L23/4332, H01L23/4338 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

A power electronics device incorporating a modular packaging concept and having an integrated device cooler is disclosed. A modular power electronics die cooler is designed for use with a coolant manifold adapted to circulate a coolant medium past a mounting receptacle. The modular power electronics die cooler comprises a base unit adapted for mounting to the manifold, with the base unit having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a plurality of sidewalls defining an enclosure, and the lower portion includes a heat sink and is adapted for insertion in the manifold receptacle. At least one electronic component is mounted within the enclosure. Accordingly, upon mounting the base unit to the manifold, the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium and thereby dissipates heat produced by the electronic component.

Claims

1. A modular power electronics die cooler for use with a coolant manifold that circulates a coolant medium past a mounting receptacle, the modular power electronics die cooler comprising:

a base unit mountable to the manifold, the base unit having an upper and a lower portion, the upper portion including a plurality of sidewalls defining an enclosure, the lower portion including a heat sink, the heat sink being insertable in the manifold receptacle;

an electronic component mounted within the enclosure;

wherein the base unit includes a plurality of mounting flanges, the mounting flanges permitting the base unit to be mounted to the manifold in a first orientation and a second orientation, the first and second orientations being generally perpendicular to each other,

so that upon mounting the base unit to the manifold, the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium to thereby dissipate heat produced by the electronic component.

2. The electronics die cooler of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes mounting means for mounting the substrate to the manifold, the mounting means permitting the substrate to be mounted to the manifold in a first orientation and a second orientation.

3. The electronics die cooler of claim 1, wherein the heat sink includes a plurality of laminations, the laminations define first and second alternate cooperating coolant flow paths through the heat sink, the first alternate flow path causing the coolant medium to undergo high heat transfer and high pressure drop, the second alternate flow path causing the coolant medium to undergo low heat transfer and low pressure drop.

4. A modular power electronics die cooler for use with a coolant manifold having a circulating coolant medium and an open mounting receptacle, the modular power electronics die cooler comprising:

a base unit mountable to the manifold adjacent the mounting receptacle, the base unit including a plurality of sidewalls defining an enclosure, a portion of the enclosure defining a substrate, a portion of the base unit defining an integral heat sink insertable in the manifold receptacle; and

an electronic component mounted to the substrate;

wherein the base unit includes a plurality of mounting flanges, the mounting flanges permitting the base unit to be mounted to the manifold in a first orientation and a second orientation, the first and second orientations being generally perpendicular to each other,

so that upon mounting the base unit to the manifold the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium to thereby dissipate heat produced by the electronic component.

5. A modular power electronics die cooler for use with a coolant manifold having a circulating coolant medium and an open mounting receptacle, the modular power electronics die cooler comprising:

a base unit mountable to the manifold adjacent the mounting receptacle, the base unit including a plurality of sidewalls defining an enclosure, a portion of the enclosure defining a substrate, a portion of the base unit defining an integral heat sink insertable in the manifold receptacle; and

an electronic component mounted to the substrate,

wherein the base unit includes mounting means for mounting the base unit to the manifold wherein the mounting means permits the base unit to be mounted to the manifold in a first orientation and a second orientation,

so that upon mounting the base unit to the manifold the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium to thereby dissipate heat produced by the electronic component.

6. A modular power electronics die cooler for use with a coolant manifold having a circulating coolant medium and an open mounting receptacle, the modular power electronics die cooler comprising:

a base unit mountable to the manifold adjacent the mounting receptacle, the base unit including a plurality of sidewalls defining an enclosure, a portion of the enclosure defining a substrate, a portion of the base unit defining an integral heat sink insertable in the manifold receptacle; and

an electronic component mounted to the substrate,

wherein the heat sink includes a plurality of laminations, the laminations define first and second alternate cooperating coolant flow paths through the heat sink, the first alternate flow path causing the coolant medium to undergo high heat transfer and high pressure drop, the second alternate flow path causing the coolant medium to undergo low heat transfer and low pressure drop,

so that upon mounting the base unit to the manifold the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium to thereby dissipate heat produced by the electronic component.

7. For use with a manifold having a circulating coolant medium through a passage, a power electronics die cooler having an integrated cooling device, comprising:

a base unit mountable to the manifold, a portion of the base unit defining a substrate, the base unit including an integral heat sink insertable in the manifold passage; and

at least one electronic component mounted to the substrate,

wherein the base unit includes a plurality of mounting flanges, the mounting flanges permitting the base unit to be mounted to the manifold in a first orientation and a second orientation, the first and second orientations being generally perpendicular to each other,

so that upon mounting the base unit to the manifold the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium to thereby dissipate heat produced by the electronic component.

8. For use with a manifold having a circulating coolant medium through a passage, a power electronics die cooler having an integrated cooling device, comprising:

a base unit mountable to the manifold, a portion of the base unit defining a substrate, the base unit including an integral heat sink insertable in the manifold passage; and

at least one electronic component mounted to the substrate;

wherein the substrate includes mounting means for mounting the substrate to the manifold, the mounting means permitting the substrate to be mounted to the manifold in a first orientation and a second orientation,

so that upon mounting the base unit to the manifold the heat sink is positioned in the coolant medium to thereby dissipate heat produced by the electronic component.