Semiconductor power converter and its applied apparatus

• US 6,215,682 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Akamatsu, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhang, Adolf Deneke
• Application Number:
  US09/529,030
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 363/141, 361/699
• US Class Current: 363/141
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance

Abstract

In order to keep constant an outlet temperature of a refrigerant for cooling a semiconductor power device, continuous and variable control of flow rate of the refrigerant is performed. At the same time, a variable speed fan is continuously and variably controlled in response to a temperature control so that an inlet temperature of the refrigerant is kept constant.

Claims

1. A semiconductor power converter for power conversion between an input power system and an output power system by controlling current with a power semiconductor device, comprising:

a cooling liquid path for flow of a cooling liquid to cool a power semiconductor device which generates heat;

liquid delivery means for delivering the cooling liquid through the cooling liquid path;

electricity detecting means for detecting operating voltage and operating current of the semiconductor power converter to determine heat loss of the semiconductor power converter; and

flow control means for controlling flow rate of the cooling liquid via the liquid delivery means and providing continuous and variable control of the flow rate of the cooling liquid in response to the heat loss determined by the electricity detecting means.

2. The semiconductor power converter according to claim 1, further comprising temperature difference detecting means for detecting a difference between temperature of the cooling liquid prior to cooling of the power semiconductor device and after cooling of the power semiconductor device wherein the flow control means controls the flow rate of the cooling liquid in response to the temperature difference detected by the temperature difference detecting means.

3. The semiconductor power converter according to claim 1, wherein the electricity detecting means issues a command based on the heat loss of the semiconductor power converter.

4. The semiconductor power converter according to claim 1, wherein the output power system is an AC motor and the operating voltage and operating current are associated with torque of the AC motor.

5. The semiconductor power converter according to claim 1, wherein the flow control means includes storage means for storing emergency cooling liquid, valve means for delivering to the cooling liquid path the emergency cooling liquid stored in the storage means, signal generating means for generating a signal when the operating current flowing through the power semiconductor device exceeds a threshold level, and an emergency cooling command circuit for opening the valve means in response to the signal generated by the signal generating means.

6. The semiconductor power converter according to claim 5, further comprising:

a cooling apparatus for cooling the emergency cooling liquid to a temperature lower than a temperature of the cooling liquid prior to cooling of the power semiconductor device.

7. The semiconductor power converter according to claim 5, wherein the flow rate of the cooling liquid is increased by the flow control means in response to the signal of the signal generating means.

8. An apparatus including the power semiconductor converter of claim 5, and including a DC power transmission system for connecting a plurality of AC power systems by DC lines, wherein, upon detection of a ground fault on one of the DC lines, conversion of the semiconductor power converter at a first pole side close to the ground fault is stopped and an output of the semiconductor power converter at a second pole side is increased and the emergency cooling liquid is delivered by controlling the valve means of the semiconductor power converter at the second pole side.