Thermally efficient motor controller assembly

• US 6,249,435 B1
• Filed: 08/16/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Pitzen, Charles, Vicente, Nathaniel B., Criniti, Joseph, Kim, Edward E., Santos, Esteban, Larranaga, Javier I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHERVINSKY, BORIS LEO
• Application Number:
  US09/374,786
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 361/704, 361/707, 361/712, 361/717, 361/718, 361/719-721, 361/631, 174/16.1, 174/16.3, 174/52.1, 165/80.2, 165/80.3, 165/185, 363/141
• US Class Current: 361/717
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20909 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

An arrangement for connection between motor controller electronic components and silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR) contained within the controller circuit is presented with line and load straps being arranged on the bottom surface of the motor controller compartment at opposite ends thereof. The SCR'"'"'s are positioned under the compartment on an elongated heat-sink support plate. Intermediate block connectors interconnect the SCR'"'"'s with the controller line and load straps.

Claims

1. A cooling assembly for semiconductor switches comprising:

a heat sink support plate;

a plurality of semiconductor switch devices mounted on said heat sink support plate;

a cooling assembly arranged on said heat sink support plate for removing heat away from said heat sink support plate and said semiconductor switch devices; and

a connector on said semiconductor switch devices for electrically connecting said semiconductor switch devices with an electrical device, said connector including;

a U-shaped block defining a first sidepiece and an opposing second sidepiece, said first and second sidepieces joined by a bridge, said bridge including a first pair of apertures arranged superjacent a corresponding second pair of apertures within said semiconductor switch devices.

2. The cooling assembly of claim 1 including:

a third aperture within said first sidepiece and a fourth aperture within said second sidepiece, said third and fourth apertures being arranged subjacent straps connecting with said associated electrical device.

3. The cooling assembly of claim 2 including:

a pair of apertured spacers arranged between said associated electrical device and said first and second sidepieces for receiving means for connecting said straps with said first and second sidepieces.

4. The cooling assembly of claim 1 wherein said cooling assembly is air cooled or liquid cooled.

5. The cooling assembly of claim 4 wherein said air cooling device comprises a fan.

6. The cooling assembly of claim 1 wherein said semiconductor switch devices comprise silicon controlled rectifiers.

7. The cooling assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrical device comprises a motor controller or a contactor.

8. The cooling assembly of claim 2 wherein, said third and fourth apertures are arranged subjacent straps connecting with said electrical device.

9. The cooling assembly of claim 1 wherein said heat sink support plate comprises an aluminum alloy.

10. The cooling assembly of claim 1 wherein said U-shaped block comprises an aluminum alloy.

11. The cooling assembly of claim 3 wherein said spacers comprise an aluminum alloy.

12. An electrical contactor assembly of the type having line and load straps at opposite ends for connection with an electrical distribution circuit, the electrical contactor assembly comprising:

a semiconductor switch assembly connecting said line and load straps, wherein said line and load straps provided on a bottom of said contactor;

a heat sink support plate;

a plurality of semiconductor switch devices mounted on said heat sink support plate;

a cooling assembly arranged on said heat sink support plate for removing heat away from said heat sink support plate and said semiconductor switch devices; and

a connector on said semiconductor switch devices for electrically connecting said semiconductor switch devices with said line and load straps, said connector including;

a U-shaped block defining a first sidepiece and an opposing second side piece, said first and second sidepieces joined by a bridge, said bridge including a first pair of apertures arranged superjacent a corresponding second pair of apertures within said semiconductor switch devices.

13. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 12 including:

a third aperture within said first sidepiece and a fourth aperture within said second sidepiece, said third and fourth apertures being arranged subjacent line and load straps.

14. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 13 including:

a pair of apertured spacers arranged between said line and load straps and said first and second sidepieces for connecting said line and load straps with said first and second sidepieces.

15. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 14 wherein said cooling assembly is air cooled or liquid cooled.

16. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 15 wherein said air cooling device comprises a fan.

17. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 12 wherein said semiconductor switch devices comprise silicon controller rectifiers.

18. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 12 wherein said heat sink support plate comprises an aluminum alloy.

19. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 12 wherein said U-shaped block comprises an aluminum alloy.

20. The electrical contactor assembly of claim 14 wherein said spacers comprise an aluminum alloy.