Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ming Liu

Anthony M Coppola

Muhammad Hussain Alvi

Rashmi Prasad

Seongchan Pack

Presented are metal-coated, polymer-encapsulated power semiconductor modules, methods for making/using such power modules, and vehicles with traction power inverters containing such power modules. A power electronics assembly includes one or more power semiconductor modules packaged inside an assembly housing. Each power module includes a substrate, a semiconductor device mounted on the substrate, a polymeric encapsulant encasing therein the substrate and semiconductor device, and an electrical lead connected to the semiconductor device and projecting from the polymeric encapsulant. A metallic or ceramic coating is applied to select sections of the polymeric encapsulant's exposed exterior surface. The metallic/ceramic coating may be a single metallic layer that covers substantially all of the exposed surface area of the polymeric encapsulant's exterior surface. An optional hydrophobic polymer layer, passivated layer, and/or oxidized layer may cover the exterior surface of this metallic layer. Alternatively, another metallic layer or intercalated lamellar microstructures may cover the metallic layer.

Metal-coated, polymer-encapsulated electronics modules and methods for making the same

A power module is provided and includes first stack, second stack, and third stacks of layers, a heat pipe, and at least one cold plate or heat sink. The third stack of layers is disposed between the first and second stacks of layers and includes a first semiconductor die, a second semiconductor die and a center spacer layer disposed between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. The heat pipe extends at least partially into the center spacer layer. The at least one cold plate or heat sink receives thermal energy from the first stack of layers and the second stack of layers. The first stack of layers, the second stack of layers, the third stack of layers, the heat pipe and the at least one cold plate or heat sink facilitate dual sided cooling of each of the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.

3-D power modules with double sided cooling per semiconductor die

A planar power module includes a second substrate arranged parallel to a first substrate, with the substrates respectively having a dielectric layer interposed between two conductive layers, such that one of the conductive layers of each substrate together forms parallel external conductive surfaces of the power module. The power module includes direct current (DC) bus bars, alternating current (AC) bus bars, and semiconductor switching dies arranged between the substrates. The dies are electrically connected to the bus bars, with each respective die electrically connected to a conductive layers of the first or second substrates. A polymer molding material partially surrounds the substrates and the switching dies. An electric powertrain system includes an electric machine, a propulsion battery pack, and a traction power inverter module (TPIM) having the power module. The power module is a three-phase full-bridge inverter circuit. An electric powertrain and motor vehicle use the power module.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Ming Liu