Electrical power converter method and system employing multiple output converters

• US 20060092611A1
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andreas A. Meyer, Bruce C. Beihoff, Daniel G. Kannenberg, Lawrence D. Radosevich, Neil Gollhardt
• Original Assignee: Andreas A. Meyer, Bruce C. Beihoff, Daniel G. Kannenberg, Lawrence D. Radosevich, Neil Gollhardt
• Inventors: Kannenberg, Daniel G., Gollhardt, Neil, Radosevich, Lawrence D., Meyer, Andreas A., Beihoff, Bruce C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,212,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/698
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/007 Physical arrangements or structures of drive train converters specially adapted for the propulsion motors of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/20 AC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/50 using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/44 Circuits or arrangements for compensating for electromagnetic interference in converters or inverters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1432 specially adapted for power drive units or power converters
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14322 wherein the control and power circuits of a power converter are arranged within the same casing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20927 Liquid coolant without phase change
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/21 Circular sheet or circular blank

Abstract

A support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support, in conjunction with other packaging features may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Claims

1. A system for converting electrical power, the system comprising:

a backplane for routing electrical power and thermal energy;

a first power converter secured to the backplane, the first power converter including power electronics circuitry configured to produce first output power having desired characteristics; and

a second power converter secured to the backplane, the second power converter including power electronics circuitry configured to produce second output power independently of the first power converter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first output power has electrical characteristics different from those of the second output power.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first output power is three-phase power and the second output power is single-phase power.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the backplane includes a channel for circulation of a cooling medium.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first or second power converters includes a passage in fluid communication with the channel for receiving the cooling medium.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the backplane routes electrical power to and from the first and second power converters.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second power converters is configured to perform AC-to-AC power conversion.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second power converters is configured to generate three-phase output power.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second converters is configured to receive DC input power.

10. A system for converting electrical power, the system comprising:

means for converting input power to first output power having first desired characteristics;

means for converting input power to second output power having second desired characteristics; and

means for routing the input power to the means for converting input power to first and second output powers, and for routing output power to external circuitry, via a shared support.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for circulating a cooling medium through the shared support.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for circulating the cooling medium through at least one of the means for converting input power to first or second output power.

13. A method for converting electrical power, the method comprising:

converting input power to first output power having first desired characteristics;

converting input power to second output power having second desired characteristics; and

routing the output power to external circuitry and input power via a shared support.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second output power have different desired characteristics.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first or second output powers is three-phase power.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second output power are generated independently of one another.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising circulating a cooling medium through the shared support.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising circulating the cooling medium through a passage of at least one converter generating the first output power, the second output power, or both the first and second output powers.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein circulating the cooling medium through the passage of the at least one converter comprises routing the cooling medium through the passage via the shared support.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the cooling medium is circulated during operation of the at least one converter to remove heat therefrom.