Semiconductor cooling system for use in electric or hybrid vehicle
View Patent ↗A cooling system is provided for use in conjunction with a semiconductor assembly including a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device electrically coupled to the first semiconductor device by an elongated electrical connection. The cooling system includes a flow passage, a pump fluidly coupled to the flow passage, and an outlet array fluidly coupled to the flow passage and configured to direct a coolant fluid over the second semiconductor device. The outlet array has an interconnect feature formed therein configured to receive the elongated electrical connection there through.
1. A cooled semiconductor assembly for use in conjunction with a circulation system including a pump and a cooling device, the pump configured to circulate a coolant fluid through the circulation system and the cooling device configured to cool the circulated fluid, the cooled semiconductor assembly comprising:
a housing;
a printed circuit board disposed in the housing;
an inverter switch disposed in the housing;
an outlet array fluidly coupled to the circulation system and positioned within the housing so as to direct coolant fluid over the invert switch, the outlet array having an interconnect feature formed therein; and
an elongated electrical connection extending through the interconnect feature to electrically couple the printed circuit board to the inverter switch.
2. A cooling system according to claim 1 wherein the outlet array comprises a plurality of spray nozzles.
3. A cooled semiconductor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the interconnect feature comprises a retaining channel.
4. A cooled semiconductor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the outlet array comprises injection-molded plastic.
5. A cooled semiconductor assembly for use in conjunction with a circulation system including a pump and a cooling device, the pump configured to circulate a coolant fluid through the circulation system and the cooling device configured to cool the circulated fluid, the cooled semiconductor assembly comprising:
a housing
a first semiconductor device disposed in the housing;
a second semiconductor device disposed in the housing;
an outlet array fluidly coupled to the circulation system and positioned within the housing so as to direct coolant fluid over the second semiconductor device, the outlet array having an interconnect feature formed therein; and
a spring pin extending through the interconnect feature to electrically couple the first semiconductor device to the second semiconductor device, the spring pin compressed between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device.
6. A cooling system according to claim 5 wherein the interconnect feature comprises a channel extending through the outlet array.
7. A cooling system according to claim 5 wherein the outlet array comprises an insulative material.
8. A cooling system according to claim 5 wherein the outlet array comprises injection-molded plastic.
9. A cooled semiconductor assembly for use in conjunction with a circulation system including a pump and a cooling device, the pump configured to circulate a coolant fluid through the circulation system and the cooling device configured to cool the circulated fluid, the cooled semiconductor assembly comprising:
a housing;
a first semiconductor device disposed in the housing;
a second semiconductor device disposed in the housing;
an outlet array fluidly coupled to the circulation system and positioned within the housing so as to direct coolant fluid over the second semiconductor device, the outlet array having an interconnect feature formed therein and further including a first major surface and a second major surface substantially opposite the first major surface, the first major surface contacting the first semiconductor device and the second major surface contacting the second semiconductor device; and
an elongated electrical connection extending through the interconnect feature to electrically couple the first semiconductor device to the second semiconductor device.