A novel packaging methodology for spray cooling of power semiconductor devices using dielectric liquids

Trends of Power Electronic Packaging and Modeling

Abstract: A review of recent advances in power electronic packaging is presented based on the development of power device integration. The presentation will cover in more detail how advances in both semiconductor content and power advanced package design and materials have co-enabled significant advances in power device capability during recent years. Extrapolating the same trends in representative areas for the remainder of the decade serves to highlight where further improvement in materials and techniques can drive continued enhancements in usability, efficiency, reliability and overall cost of power semiconductor solutions. Along with new power packaging development, the role of modeling is key to assure successful package design. An overview of the power package modeling is presented. Challenges of power semiconductor packaging and modeling in both next generation design and assembly processes are presented and discussed.

Power Semiconductor Devices for Hybrid, Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles

Abstract: Power semiconductor devices are key components in all power electronic systems, particularly in hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. This paper reviews the system requirement and latest development of power semiconductor devices including IGBTs, freewheeling diodes, and advanced power module technology in relating to electric vehicle applications. State-of-the-art silicon device technologies, their future trends, and theoretical limits are discussed. Emerging wide bandgap semiconductor devices such as SiC devices and their potential applications in electric vehicles are also reviewed

Challenges of power electronic packaging and modeling

Abstract: Power electronic packaging is one of the fastest changing areas of technology in the power electronic industry due to the rapid advances in power integrated circuit (IC) fabrication and the demands of a growing market in almost all areas of power electronic application such as portable electronics, consumer electronics, home electronics, computing electronics, automotive, railway and high/strong power industry. However, due to the intrinsic high power dissipation, the performance requirement for power products are extremely high, especially in handling harsh thermal and electrical environments. The design rules and material and structure layout of power packaging are quite different from regular IC packaging. This talk will present a state-of-art and in-depth overview of recent advances, challenges and opportunities in power electronic packaging design and modeling. A review of recent advances in power electronic packaging is presented based on the development of power device integration. The talk will cover in more detail how challenges in both semiconductor content and advanced power package design and materials have co-enabled significant advances in power device capability during recent years. Extrapolating the same trends in representative areas for the remainder of the decade serves to highlight where further improvement in materials and techniques can drive continued enhancements in usability, efficiency, reliability and overall cost of power semiconductor solutions. Along with new power packaging development, modeling is a key to assure successful package design. An overview of the power package modeling is presented. Challenges of power semiconductor packaging and modeling in both next generation design and assembly processes are presented and discussed.

Electronic DC transformer with high power density

Abstract: This thesis is concerned with the possibilities of increasing the power density of high-power dc-dc converters with galvanic isolation. Three cornerstones for reaching high power densities are identified as: size reduction of passive components, reduction of losses particularly in active components and thermal management. In addition to the cornerstones, the spatial integration of converter components is considered as it is also important for high power density. The size reduction in passives is obtained by increasing the operating frequency. On the other hand, an increase of operating frequency yields also higher losses in passive components themselves. Therefore, the thesis addresses the power loss in windings of magnetic components with special attention to the transformer windings. Integration of several passive components into a single component is also considered as the means to increase the power density. The main challenge is the integration of components at the considered high power levels. A high operating frequency results in a substantial increase of switching losses in active components. The higher losses yield reduced efficiency and require larger heatsinks which consequently reduce the effect of the higher operating frequency on the overall power density. In this thesis, the power loss in active components is reduced by applying so called Zero-Voltage-Switching Quasi-Zero-Current-Switching topology. The heat generated inside converter components must be removed to prevent them from overheating. Performing this task becomes more difficult as the power density increases because of higher power dissipated in a smaller volume. The thesis considers thermal management of a power converter on component, converter and system level. Each of the levels is addressed separately and adequate heat removal methods and concepts are proposed. Spatial integration of converter components is important to obtain a high power density as well. The key to the successful integration of components is to make design choices which result in components of compatible dimensions and shapes. Basic guidelines that should serve as an aid in the design of high power density high-power converters are discussed in this thesis. The operating conditions and requirements vary with the power level processed by a power converter. Therefore, the scalability of the design concepts and approaches is important for their practical implementation in the wide range of considered applications. This thesis briefly discusses scaling up with respect to power density and performance of the converter components. The ability of achieving high power densities in high power is demonstrated on a 50 kW converter prototype. The reached power density is in order of 11.2 kW/litre with water cooling and 6.6 kW/litre with forced air cooling. It is also shown that by designing for high power density, the efficiency might not need to suffer. The measured efficiency of the final converter prototype is as high as 97.5 % in a broad load range.

Spray Cooling Development Effort for Microgravity Environments

Abstract: Spray cooling is a high heat flux removal technique considered for systems such as advanced lasers and high power density electronics. Several experiments have been conducted using spray cooling in recent years and various designs of spray cooling devices are continually emerging. At this time, one of NASA’s missions is to enhance future space science capabilities through the application of power lasers and electronics. However, the usage of systems having high heat fluxes can only be achieved with the corresponding development of high power thermal control systems. For the reliable performance of these high‐heat‐flux systems, proper thermal management is imperative. The study presented reviews the fabrication of a spray cooling system aimed at addressing issues pertinent to space applications. These issues include heat flux capability, orientation, and volumetric packaging. Computer modeling of spray cooling under microgravity conditions as well as comparison to the analogous 1‐g condition was also performed to gain insight into microgravity behavior.

Assessment of high-heat-flux thermal management schemes

Abstract: This paper explores the recent research developments in high-heat-flux thermal management. Cooling schemes such as pool boiling, detachable heat sinks, channel flow boiling, microchannel and mini-channel heat sinks, jet-impingement, and sprays, are discussed and compared relative to heat dissipation potential, reliability, and packaging concerns. It is demonstrated that, while different cooling options can be tailored to the specific needs of individual applications, system considerations always play a paramount role in determining the most suitable cooling scheme. It is also shown that extensive fundamental electronic cooling knowledge has been amassed over the past two decades. Yet there is now a growing need for hardware innovations rather than perturbations to those fundamental studies. An example of these innovations is the cooling of military avionics, where research findings from the electronic cooling literature have made possible the development of a new generation of cooling hardware which promise order of magnitude increases in heat dissipation compared to today's cutting edge avionics cooling schemes.

Optimizing and Predicting CHF in Spray Cooling of a Square Surface

Abstract: Spray cooling of a hot surface was investigated to ascertain the effect of nozzle-to-surface distance on critical heat flux (CHF). Full cone sprays of Fluorinert FC-72 and FC-87 were used to cool a 12.7 X 12.7 mm 2 surface. A theoretical model was constructed that accurately predicts the spray's volumetric flux (liquid volume per unit area per unit time) distribution across the heater surface. Several experimental spray sampling techniques were devised to validate this model. The impact of volumetric flux distribution on CHF was investigated experimentally. By measuring CHFfor the same nozzle flow rate at different nozzle-to-surface distances, it was determined CHF can be maximized when the spray is configured such that the spray impact area just inscribes the square surface of the heater. Using this optimum configuration, CHF data were measured over broad ranges of flow rate and subcooling, resulting in a new correlation for spray cooling of small surfaces.

An experimental study of the dynamic behavior and heat transfer characteristics of water droplets impinging upon a heated surface

Abstract: Heat transfer data for individual water droplets impinging upon a heat surface are presented. The droplet diameters ranged from 200 to 400 μm, and the approach velocities from 8 to 33 ft/s. The effect of surface temperature variation from the saturation temperature to 1800°F was studied. Photographs of the impingement process are presented which show that even the small droplets studied break up upon impingement at moderate approach velocities. The heat transfer data show that approach velocity is the dominant variable affecting droplet heat transfer and that surface temperature has little effect on heat transfer in the non-wetting regime.

An overview to integrated power module design for high power electronics packaging

Abstract: In recent years, there has been an explosion in demand for smaller and lighter, more efficient, and less expensive power electronic supplies and converters. There are a number of reasons for this recent necessity, ranging from the need for smaller and cheaper power converters for consumer electronics (such as laptop computers and cellular phones) to the need for highly reliable power electronics for such items as satellite and military craft power systems, which are required to be highly efficient, light in weight, smaller in volume, and low cost. This paper discusses the concept of Integrated Power Modules (IPMs), in which the electronic control circuitry and the high power electronics of the converter are integrated into a single compact standardized module. The advantages and disadvantages of such an approach will be discussed in reference to the current industry standard for power electronics design and packaging. The researchers will then take the readers through the IPM design, including basic circuit topology layout, module fabrication processes, and finally thermal considerations.

Assessment of high-heat-flux thermal management schemes

Abstract: This paper explores the recent research developments in high-heat-flux thermal management. Cooling schemes such as pool boiling, detachable heat sinks, channel flow boiling, micro-channel and mini-channel heat sinks, jet-impingement, and sprays, are discussed and compared relative to heat dissipation potential, reliability, and packaging concerns. It is demonstrated that, while different cooling options can be tailored to the specific needs of individual applications, system considerations always play a paramount role in determining the most suitable cooling scheme. It is also shown that extensive fundamental electronic cooling knowledge has been amassed over the past two decades. Yet there is now a growing need for hardware innovations rather than perturbations to those fundamental studies. An example of these innovations is the cooling of military avionics, where research findings from the electronic cooling literature have made possible the development of a new generation of cooling hardware which promise order of magnitude increases in heat dissipation compared to today's cutting edge avionics cooling schemes.