General Electric Company

Paul Stephen Pate

Robert Gregory Wagoner

Allen Michael Ritter

Eric J Kauffman

Andrew C Stevenson

Harold Robert Schnetzka

James Patrick Lyons

Steven Wade Sutherland

Albert Andreas Esser

Howard Ross Edmunds

Brian Eric Lindholm

Stephen Daniel Nash

Lyle Thomas Keister

Conrad Angelo Pecile

Patrick Henry McGinn

Melvin La Hughes

Systems and methods for cooling one or more electrical components of a current conversion device of a renewable energy power system (e.g. a wind turbine or a solar power system) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an immersion tank comprising a cooling medium, a heat exchanger, and a pumping device. One or more of the electrical components are at least partially submerged within the cooling medium, which has a predetermined dielectric constant. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the cooling medium of the immersion tank. Thus, the pumping device is configured to circulate the cooling medium between the immersion tank and the heat exchanger to remove heat from the one or more electrical components.

System and method for cooling electrical components of a power converter

A power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switching devices coupled in a parallel configuration and positioned proximate each other in an interlaced configuration with respect to a plurality of electrical phases. The interlaced configuration facilitates inducing an electric current flow through each semiconductor switching device of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices that cancels at least a portion of current imbalances between at least a portion of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices.

Current balance for a multi-phase electric power converter and method for operating the same

An electric power converter for a renewable power source includes at least one alternating current (AC) conduit coupled to an external AC power device and at least one direct current (DC) conduit coupled to an external DC power device. The converter also includes at least one immersion structure defining at least one immersion cavity therein and a plurality of semiconductor devices. The semiconductor devices include a substrate positioned within the immersion cavity. The substrate defines a plurality of heat transfer surfaces thereon. The semiconductor devices also include at least one semiconductor die coupled to the substrate, the AC conduit, and the DC conduit. The converter further includes a liquid at least partially filling the immersion cavity such that the semiconductor die is fully immersed in and in direct contact with the liquid. Heat generated in the semiconductor device induces a phase change in the liquid.

System and method for operating an electric power converter

An apparatus for cooling electrical protective devices comprises an electrical protective device mounted to at least one electrical terminal, wherein the electrical terminals are cooled to indirectly cool the electrical protective devices. A pressurized coolant source passes a coolant fluid through coolant passages attached to the electrical terminals, thereby cooling the electrical terminals. The cooled electrical terminals maintain the temperature of the electrical protection device within an appropriate operating temperature range. This cooling method may be used to increase the fuse power rating of a fuse array while maintaining electrical coordination between the fuses in the fuse array and electrical devices protected by the fuse array.

Method and apparatus for cooling electrical fuses

An electrical bus isolation system includes a pair of bus bar supporting members, each of which includes a first substantially flat surface portion configured to retain a first bus bar, and second and third substantially flat surface portions each disposed on opposite sides of the first surface portion, and defining an offset in height from the first surface portion. The second and third surface portions are configured to retain opposite lateral sides of a second bus bar when the pair of supporting members are operatively engaged, with corresponding second and third surface portions facing each other such that the first bus bar is retained in a fixed position relative to the second bus bar in a parallel spaced relationship thereto and at a distance determined by the offset in height. An air gap between the bus bars electrically isolates the bus bars and prevents corona discharge between the bus bars.

Bus isolation system

A system for temperature control of an electronic component includes a heat plate supporting the component; a heat plate temperature sensor; a fan capable of providing air for cooling the heat plate; and a fan control for using the heat plate temperature to control the operation of the fan to provide a substantially constant heat plate temperature. The system can further include a heat pipe assembly having fins and coupled to the heat plate with the fan capable of providing air to the fins. The heat pipe assembly can include at least two heat pipes each having first ends coupled to the heat plate and second ends situated in a condensation section where at least one of the heat pipes has a different working fluid than an other. A switch temperature or load current sensor can be coupled to the heat plate and supply data to a switch controller for receiving the switch temperature, determining whether the temperature or load current has changed, and adjusting a switching frequency of the at least one electronic switch device in response to any change of the switch temperature. A bus layer can be situated adjacent the component and selectively coated with an insulating material and studs can mechanically and electrically coupling the bus layer and a printed circuit board to the component. An insulating shield can be situated between the bus layer and the printed circuit board with the studs.

Growing community of inventors

Troutville, VA, United States of America

Paul Stephen Pate