INVERTER FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE

1 . An electric machine system comprising:

an alternating current (AC) electric machine including a machine housing;

a plurality of switch members arranged within a switch housing, the plurality of switch members being electrically connected to the AC electric machine;

a direct current (DC) power source electrically connected to the plurality of switch members, the DC power source generating a DC current; and

a controller arranged within a control housing that is remote from the switch housing, the controller being electrically connected to the plurality of switch members, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively activate select ones of the plurality of switch members in order to convert the DC current between the DC power source and an alternating current (AC) to operate the AC electric machine.

2 . The electric machine system of claim 1 , wherein the AC electric machine is a multi-phase electric motor, the controller being configured and disposed to electrically activate the plurality of switch members to convert the DC current between the DC power source and a multi-phase AC current to operate the multi-phase electric motor.

3 . The electric machine system according to claim 1 , wherein the switch housing is arranged adjacent to the machine housing.

4 . The electric machine system according to claim 3 , wherein the switch housing is arranged upon the machine housing.

5 . The electric machine system of claim 3 , further comprising: a cooling system configured and disposed to deliver a coolant to the switch housing and the machine housing.

6 . The electric machine system of claim 5 , wherein the cooling system is a fan mounted to the AC electric machine.

7 . The electric machine system of claim 6 , wherein the coolant is an airflow developed by the fan.

8 . The electric machine system of claim 1 , wherein the DC power source is a battery.

9 . The electric machine system of claim 8 , wherein the battery is at least a 100 volt battery.

10 . The electric machine system of claim 1 , further comprising: a motor control module electrically coupled to the controller, the motor control module being configured and disposed to signal the controller to selectively activate the plurality of switch members.

11 . A method of operating an electric machine, the method comprising:

passing a direct current to a plurality of switch members arranged in a switch housing, the plurality of switch members being electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) electric machine;

directing a control signal through a control line electrically connecting the plurality of switch members with a controller arranged in a remotely located control housing;

selectively activating select ones of the plurality of switch members to convert the direct current to an alternating current based on the control signal from the controller; and

passing the alternating current between the plurality of switch members and the AC electric machine.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising: delivering a coolant over the alternating current electric machine and the switch housing.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein delivering a coolant over the AC electric machine comprises passing an airflow over the AC electric machine and the switch housing.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein selectively activating the select ones of the plurality of switch members to convert the direct current to an alternating current includes activating the select ones of the plurality of switch members to convert the direct current into a multi-phase alternating current.

15 . An inverter system for operating an alternating current (AC) electric machine with a direct current voltage source comprising:

a plurality of switch members arranged within a switch housing; and

a controller arranged within a control housing that is remote from the switch housing, the controller being electrically connected to the plurality of switch members, the controller being configured and disposed to selectively activate select ones of the plurality of switch members in order to convert the DC current between the DC power source and an alternating current (AC) to operate an AC electric machine.

16 . The inverter system of claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured and disposed to electrically activate the plurality of switch members to convert the DC current between the DC power source and a multi-phase AC current.

17 . The inverter system of claim 15 , further comprising: a cooling system configured and disposed to deliver a coolant to the switch housing.

18 . The inverter system of claim 17 , wherein the cooling system is a fan mounted to the AC electric machine.

19 . The inverter system of claim 18 , wherein the coolant is an airflow developed by the fan.

20 . The inverter system of claim 15 , wherein the DC power source is a battery.