System and method for enhanced convection cooling of temperature-dependent power producing and power consuming electrical devices

摘要

A cooling system (60,90) for cooling a temperature-dependent power device (64,92) includes an active cooling device (62) and a controller (80) to generate and transmit a drive signal thereto to selectively activate the device. The controller receives an input from sensors (66,68,72,74,76) regarding the cooling device power consumption and measured operational parameters of the power equipment - including the power device output power if the device is a power producing device or the power device input power if the device is a power consuming device. The controller generates and transmits a drive signal to the cooling device based on the cooling device power consumption and the measured power device input or output power in order to cause the active cooling device to selectively cool the heat producing power device. A net system power output or total system power input can be maximized/minimized by controlling an amount of convection cooling provided by the cooling device.