System and methods for improving power handling of an electronic device
First Claim
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1. An electronic device comprising:
- a heatsink;
a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink, and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery, wherein the set of IGBTs comprises a first dual IGBT configured to provide electrical power to the field exciter, a second dual IGBT configured to provide electrical power to the battery, and a third dual IGBT common to the field exciter and the battery;
a single temperature sensor disposed between the second dual IGBT and the third dual IGBT in the heatsink; and
a controller configured to;
receive a temperature reading from the single temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a first junction temperature for the second dual IGBT and determine a second junction temperature for the third dual IGBT; and
de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs if the first junction temperature or the second junction temperature exceeds a specified threshold temperature.
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Abstract
There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink and a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a junction temperature for at least one of the IGBTs of the set of IGBTs. The controller is also configured to de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs based, at least in part, on the junction temperature.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a heatsink; a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink, and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery, wherein the set of IGBTs comprises a first dual IGBT configured to provide electrical power to the field exciter, a second dual IGBT configured to provide electrical power to the battery, and a third dual IGBT common to the field exciter and the battery; a single temperature sensor disposed between the second dual IGBT and the third dual IGBT in the heatsink; and a controller configured to; receive a temperature reading from the single temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a first junction temperature for the second dual IGBT and determine a second junction temperature for the third dual IGBT; and de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs if the first junction temperature or the second junction temperature exceeds a specified threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A power system for a vehicle comprising:
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a heatsink; a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery, wherein the set of IGBTs comprises a first dual IGBT configured to provide electrical power to the field exciter, a second dual IGBT configured to provide electrical power to the battery, and a third dual IGBT common to the field exciter and the battery; a single temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink between the second dual IGBT and the third dual IGBT; and a controller configured to; receive a temperature reading from the single temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a first junction temperature for the second dual IGBT and determine a second junction temperature for the third dual IGBT; and de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs if the first junction temperature or the second junction temperature exceeds a specified threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of reducing thermal cycling in an electronic device comprising a first dual IGBT, a second dual IGBT, and a third dual IGBT, the method comprising:
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receiving a temperature reading from a single temperature sensor disposed in a heatsink between the second dual IGBT and the third dual IGBT; based on the temperature reading, determining a junction temperature of at least the second dual IGBT and the third dual IGBT, wherein the first dual IGBT is configured to provide electrical power to a field exciter, the second dual IGBT is configured to provide electrical power to a battery, and the third dual IGBT is common to the field exciter and the battery; and de-rating an output power provided by each of the IGBTs if the junction temperature of the second dual IGBT or the third dual IGBT exceeds a specified threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification