IP Library Granted Patent US 11,445,630
Granted Patent B2
US 11,445,630 · App. 17/149,815 · Granted Sep 13, 2022

High power multilayer module having low inductance and fast switching for paralleling power devices

Inventors: Matthew Feurtado (Fayetteville, AR); Brice McPherson (Fayetteville, AR); Daniel Martin (Fayetteville, AR); Alexander Lostetter (Fayetteville, AR)
Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
H05K7/1432H02M1/088H02M7/003H02M7/537H05K1/0271H05K1/181H05K5/0069H05K5/0247H05K7/20509H05K7/20909H02M1/0054H05K2201/064H05K2201/10151H05K2201/10272
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,445,630
App. No.
17/149,815
Filed
Jan 15, 2021
Granted
Sep 13, 2022
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2848
USPC
361/760
Abstract

A power module including at least one substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a second terminal including a contact surface, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one power substrate, and the third terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of power devices. The power module further including a base plate and a plurality of pin fins arranged on the base plate and the plurality of pin fins configured to provide direct cooling for the power module.

Claims (65)

1. A power module, comprising:

at least one power substrate;

a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate;

a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

a second terminal;

a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate; and

a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate,

wherein the power module is structured, arranged, and configured to increase a power device utilization within the power module; and

wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area and the power device utilization comprises a range of 5-10%.

2. The power module of claim 1 ,

wherein the power module is structured, arranged, and configured to reduce switching losses of the power module; and

wherein the switching losses of the power module have a range of 0.5 (mJ/A) to 0.25 (mJ/A).

3. The power module of claim 2 , wherein a total stray inductance value of a critical power switching loop of the power module comprises a range of 12 (nH) to 2 (nH).

4. The power module of claim 2 ,

wherein the switching losses of the power module have a range of 0.4 (mJ/A) to 0.25 (mJ/A).

5. The power module of claim 1 ,

wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal each comprise power terminals;

wherein the first terminal comprises a contact surface at a first elevation; and

wherein the second terminal comprises a contact surface at a second elevation different from the first elevation.

6. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area that comprises a range of 6-8%.

7. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area that comprises a range of 7-10%.

8. The power module of claim 1 , wherein a total stray inductance value of a critical power switching loop of the power module comprises a range of 12 (nH) to 2 (nH).

9. An inverter that comprises the power module of claim 1 , the inverter comprising:

the power module; and

at least one component comprising at least one of the following: at least one buss bar, a driver, a controller, at least one capacitor, a cold plate, and at least one sensor.

10. A power system that comprises the power module of claim 1 , the power system comprising:

the power module; and

at least one component comprising at least one of the following: at least one buss bar, a driver, a controller, at least one capacitor, a cold plate, and at least one sensor,

wherein the power system comprises at least one of the following: an inverter, a motor system, and a charging system.

11. A power module, comprising:

at least one power substrate;

a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate;

a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

a second terminal;

a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate; and

a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate,

wherein the power module is structured, arranged, and configured to increase a power device utilization of the power module; and

wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area that comprises a range of 5-10%.

12. The power module of claim 11 ,

wherein the power module is structured, arranged, and configured to reduce switching losses of the power module; and

wherein the switching losses of the power module have a range of 0.5 (mJ/A) to 0.25 (mJ/A).

13. The power module of claim 12 , wherein the switching losses of the power module have a range of 0.4 (mJ/A) to 0.25 (mJ/A).

14. The power module of claim 13 , wherein a total stray inductance value of a critical power switching loop of the power module comprises a range of 12 (nH) to 2 (nH).

15. The power module of claim 11 ,

wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal each comprise power terminals;

wherein current flows in a first direction from the first terminal across the at least one power substrate; and

wherein the current flows in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from the at least one power substrate to the second terminal to reduce impedance.

16. The power module of claim 11 , wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area that comprises a range of 6-8%.

17. The power module of claim 11 , wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area that comprises a range of 7-10%.

18. The power module of claim 11 , wherein a total stray inductance value of a critical power switching loop of the power module comprises a range of 12 (nH) to 2 (nH).

19. A power system that comprises the power module of claim 11 , the power system comprising:

the power module; and

at least one component comprising at least one of the following: at least one buss bar, a driver, a controller, at least one capacitor, a cold plate, and at least one sensor,

wherein the power system comprises at least one of the following: an inverter, a motor system, and a charging system.

20. An inverter, the inverter comprising:

a power module;

at least one of the following: at least one buss bar, a driver, a controller, at least one capacitor, a cold plate, and at least one sensor; and

the power module comprises at least one of the following:

at least one power substrate;

a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate;

a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

a second terminal; and

a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate,

wherein the power module is structured, arranged, and configured to increase a power device utilization of the power module; and

wherein the power device utilization is defined as a percentage calculated by a ratio of a power device area to a total power module area that comprises a range of 5-10%.

Assignments (9)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Mar 26, 2026
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075280/0919 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0113 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0381 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0467 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0588 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NO. 64185/0755 Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 072989/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064185/0755 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 14, 2022
From: CREE, INC.
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 059085/0667 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 13, 2021
From: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC.
To: CREE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057291/0406 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16658630 · Oct 21, 2019
Continuation In Part 16266771 · Feb 4, 2019
Continuation In Part 15405520 · Jan 13, 2017
Provisional Application 62914847 · Oct 14, 2019
Provisional Application 62790965 · Jan 10, 2019
Related Publication 20210136947A1 · May 6, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,374,660