HIGH POWER AC TRACTION INVERTER COOLING

摘要

A plurality of high power semiconductor devices (42) are connected in circui t with at least one electric traction motor for controlling electric power to the motor. The semiconductor devices are each thermally connected between a pair of generally hol- low heat sinks (36A, 36B) adapted for passing cooling air therethrough for extracting heat therefrom. M anode terminal of the devices is coupled to one of the heat sinks of a pair and a cathode terminal of the devices is connected to the other heat sink of the pair. Each of the heat sinks are mounted in a cantilever fashion to a common air plenum forming one wall of an electrical circuit area of the vehicle. The distal ends of the heat sinks of a pair are coupled together by an air how conduit (38) thus forming a con- tinuous air passage through the pair of heat sinks which begins and ends at the surface containing the air supply plenum. Cooling air is then directed into the end of the other heat sink, circulating throug h the one heat sink and out through the exhaust conduit (40). In this manner, the cooling air is held in a closed path extending int o the electrical circuit area so that contaminants are not deposited on the electrical components.