September 2007
Figure 1 - NREL computational fluid dynamics simulation of jet impingement (green and red colors) on the backside of a power electronic device.
Why is the number 7,190,581 so exciting? Because it's the U.S. Patent Number recently issued to NREL researchers Vahab Hassani, Desikan Bharathan, and Andreas Vlahinos for their new technology that cools power electronic components. This novel concept enhances heat transfer from power electronic components, such as power semiconductors, by allowing forced liquid jets to cool the backside of the electronics while sealing the semiconductors from coming in contact with the coolant (see figure 1). By transferring heat more effectively than existing methods, the weight and cost of power electronics devices can be reduced, which are currently major barriers to their wide-spread use.
World-wide efforts are increasingly focused on making power electronics devices both smaller and more powerful, which makes thermal management and heat reduction even more critical. That's why NREL takes a lead in conducting research and development in this field. Hybrid electric, plug-in, and fuel cell vehicles rely heavily on advanced power electronics to condition the electrical power that flows between energy storage devices (batteries/ultracapacitors) and the electric machines (motors/generators). As electrical power flows through the electronics heat is generated due to inefficiency. Key to making these advanced vehicles practical is the development of low-cost cooling technologies integrated into the power electronics package—NREL's patented technology promises one method to help reach this goal.
The patented technology is currently undergoing proof-of-concept testing with an industry partner.
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