Power module

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric module (12) for a railway vehicle (10), comprising a current conversion device (20) and a cooling device (22) of said conversion device; said conversion device comprises a plurality of conversion units (24), each comprising a plurality of semiconductor elements (28); said cooling device comprises a plurality of heat exchangers (30) so that, in an assembled position, said plurality of semiconductor elements (28) are in thermal contact with said heat exchangers; the module comprises a detachable assembly component for detachably assembling each conversion unit with a respective heat exchanger, said carrier being separable from said heat exchangers and from the rest of the electric module.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric power module for a railway vehicle, of the type comprising a current conversion device and a cooling device for said conversion device. [Background Technology]

[0002] Such a power module with a cooling system is described in particular in document EP2291067.

[0003] Current conversion devices generally include semiconductor components, which are heat-generating components that need to be cooled. These semiconductor components and corresponding electronic control devices need to be frequently maintained and / or replaced.

[0004] In current power modules, these maintenance operations present significant limitations. Specifically, the weight of the components to be removed often requires the involvement of multiple operators. Furthermore, cooling systems often involve thermal interfaces based on grease-based fluids, which also restricts disassembly.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to optimize the architecture of the power module to compensate for these shortcomings. [Summary of the invention]

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is an electric power module of the aforementioned type, wherein the conversion device comprises a plurality of conversion units, each conversion unit comprising: a carrier, a plurality of semiconductor elements and an electronic control board for said semiconductor elements, the semiconductor elements and the electronic control board being fixed to the carrier; the cooling device comprises a plurality of first heat exchangers, such that in the assembly position of the first heat exchangers with the conversion units, said plurality of semiconductor elements are in thermal contact with said first heat exchangers in order to transfer heat to said first heat exchangers; and the module comprises a detachable assembly component for detachably assembling the carrier of each conversion unit with the corresponding first heat exchanger, said carrier being separable from said first heat exchanger and the rest of the electric power module.

[0007] According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the power module comprises one or more of the following features, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0008] - the current conversion device comprises at least one conversion block, the or each conversion block comprising a connecting bar and two conversion units, the semiconductor element of each of the two conversion units being provided with a detachable part connected to the connecting bar, the carriers of the two conversion units being arranged on either side of the connecting bar;

[0009] -The semiconductor element of each conversion unit is an insulated gate bipolar transistor;

[0010] - at least one first heat exchanger is assembled to a solid thermal interface, so that, in the assembled position of the first heat exchanger with the conversion unit, the thermal interface ensures heat transfer between the plurality of semiconductor elements of the conversion unit and the first heat exchanger;

[0011] - the cooling device comprises: a closed circuit of a heat-carrying fluid; and a second heat exchanger capable of transferring heat from said heat-carrying fluid to an air flow generated by the movement of the railway vehicle; each of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being arranged on said closed circuit;

[0012] - The total mass of each conversion unit is less than 30 kg, preferably less than 20 kg.

[0013] The invention also relates to a traction box intended to be mounted on the roof of a railway vehicle, said module comprising an electric power module as described above and one or more upper covers, the or each cover being movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein each conversion unit is situated opposite said cover or one of said covers.

[0014] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle comprising a traction chain comprising an electric motor and a traction box as described above, the traction box being located on the roof of the vehicle.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a method for maintaining a railway vehicle as described above, comprising the steps of: moving one or more upper covers to an open position; actuating a detachable assembly component to separate the carrier of the conversion unit from the corresponding first heat exchanger; and removing the conversion unit from the traction box.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] - Figure 1 is a partial schematic diagram of a railway vehicle including a power module according to one embodiment of the present invention in front view and in cross section; and

[0018] - Figure 2 According to a specific embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 Detailed view of the power module. [Specific implementation method]

[0019] Figure 1 The invention shows a railway vehicle 10 comprising a power module 12 or a power converter. The railway vehicle 10 is, for example, a locomotive of a passenger or freight train. The railway vehicle 10 comprises, inter alia, an electric motor (not shown) of a traction chain, which is supplied with electrical energy by the power module 12.

[0020] The railway vehicle 10 comprises, in particular, a roof located on the vehicle and Figure 1 The traction box 14 is visible in FIG.

[0021] Considering an orthogonal basis (X, Y, Z), direction Z represents the vertical direction, direction X corresponds to the longitudinal direction of movement of the railway vehicle 10 , and direction Y corresponds to the horizontal transverse direction.

[0022] The outer surface of the traction box 14 is defined by a central plate 16 disposed generally in the plane (X, Y) and side plates 17 located on either side of the central plate 16. The side plates 17 are substantially symmetrical to each other relative to the median plane (X, Z) of the railway vehicle 10. Figure 1 In the embodiment, only one side panel 17 can be seen.

[0023] Each side panel 17 is inclined, with the end in contact with the central panel 16 being higher than the opposite end. This results in a generally convex shape of the traction box 14. As an example, the angle of inclination of the side panels relative to the horizontal plane is between 20° and 60°.

[0024] Furthermore, the traction box 14 comprises an internal structure including at least one inclined plane 18 substantially parallel to and below the side panels 17. The space between the side panels 17 and the inclined plane 18 forms an internal compartment 19 of the traction box 14.

[0025] Preferably, each side panel 17 can be Figure 1 The cam 12 moves between a closed position and an open position, as shown. The open position enables an operator to access the interior compartment 19.

[0026] The power module 12 includes a current conversion device 20 and a cooling device 22 for the conversion device 20 .

[0027] The conversion device 20 comprises in particular a plurality of conversion units 24. Figure 1 As shown, each conversion unit 24 comprises, in particular, a carrier 26 , a plurality of semiconductor components 28 , and an electronic control board 29 for the semiconductor components 28 . The semiconductor components 28 and the electronic control board 29 are fixed on the carrier 26 .

[0028] The semiconductor element 28 is, for example, a transistor. Preferably, the semiconductor element 28 is an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The IGBT has a switching function in each conversion unit 24.

[0029] The conversion unit 24 is arranged in the inner compartment 19 closed by one or the other of the side panels 17. Preferably, the conversion unit 24 is arranged opposite the side panels 17.

[0030] In general, each conversion unit 24 preferably includes components of the conversion device 20 that require frequent maintenance and / or replacement operations.

[0031] The cooling device 22 includes a plurality of first heat exchangers 30. In the assembled position of the first heat exchangers 30 and the conversion unit 24, the semiconductor components, in particular the IGBTs 28, are in thermal contact with the first heat exchangers 30, thereby transferring heat to the first heat exchangers.

[0032] Each first heat exchanger 30 is, for example, arranged on the inclined plane 18. According to one embodiment, a thermal interface 31 is provided on at least one of the first heat exchangers 30 so as to be interposed between said first heat exchanger 30 and the IGBT 28 in the assembled position. Preferably, the thermal interface 31 is formed of a solid material and is formed as a dry interface type.

[0033] As will be described in detail below, the module 12 comprises a removable assembly member 44 for removably assembling the carrier 26 of each conversion unit 24 with the corresponding first heat exchanger 30. In this way, each conversion unit 24 can be separated from the first heat exchanger 30 and the rest of the module 12.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the current conversion device 20 includes at least one conversion block 32, such as Figure 2 The conversion block 32 comprises, in particular, two conversion units 24 as described above, as well as a base 34 , a connecting bar 36 and a filter capacitor 38 .

[0035] The connecting bar 36 or busbar has a substantially flat plate shape. The converter block 32 is configured such that the connecting bar 36 and the IGBTs of each of the two converter units 24 are arranged in a substantially coplanar manner. The connecting bar 36 is disposed, for example, between the two converter units 24 in the direction X. The IGBTs of each of the two converter units 24 are provided with a detachable component, such as a connecting stud 40, connected to the connecting bar 36.

[0036] The base 34 includes two brackets 42, each of which is intended to be detachably assembled with one of the two conversion units 24. More specifically, each conversion unit 24 includes a detachable assembly part for detachably assembling with one of the brackets 42 of the base 34. The detachable assembly part 44 is, for example, of the bolt type.

[0037] Furthermore, the total mass of each conversion unit 24 is preferably limited to approximately fifteen or twenty kilograms so that the conversion unit can be handled by a single operator without the need for special tools.

[0038] Preferably, the conversion block 32 is configured so that the filter capacitor 38 is disposed below the connecting bar 36 and the two conversion units 24. More preferably, the base 34 is configured so that a space 46 is provided between the bracket 42 and the filter capacitor 38, and the inclined plane 18 and the first heat exchanger 30 are accommodated in the space 46.

[0039] In such Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the assembly position shown, each converter unit 24 in the converter block 32 is assembled to one of the brackets 42 ; and the IGBT 28 of each converter unit 24 is in thermal contact with the corresponding first heat exchanger 30 via the thermal interface 31 .

[0040] The cooling device 22 further comprises a second heat exchanger 50 capable of exchanging heat with the air flow generated by the movement of the railway vehicle. The second heat exchanger 50 is, for example, arranged in the central part of the traction box 14 , below the central plate 16 .

[0041] The second heat exchanger 50 is preferably a finned radiator. More preferably, the second heat exchanger 50 is sized so that the travel of the railway vehicle 10 is sufficient to remove sufficient heat without the need for a fan.

[0042] The cooling device 22 further comprises a closed circuit of a heat transfer fluid (not shown) connecting the plurality of first heat exchangers 30 to the second heat exchanger 50. The heat transfer fluid of the closed circuit is capable of transferring heat from each first heat exchanger 30 to the second heat exchanger 50.

[0043] Preferably, the heat transfer fluid is a two-phase fluid and the first heat exchanger 30 comprises capillary evaporators, in particular as described in document EP 2 291 067. A two-phase heat transfer fluid passes through each capillary evaporator.

[0044] The two-phase heat transfer fluid is, for example, selected from methanol and acetone.

[0045] The operation of the power module 12 will now be described.

[0046] The motor of the traction chain of the railway vehicle 10 is put into operation to move the railway vehicle. The conversion units 24 of the power module 12 are also put into operation. The IGBTs 28 of each conversion unit 24 dissipate heat, which is then transferred to the corresponding first heat exchanger 30 via conduction through the thermal interface 31. The heat transfer fluid in the cooling device 22 transfers this heat to the second heat exchanger 50. Near the second heat exchanger, the heat is transferred to the airflow generated by the movement of the railway vehicle 10.

[0047] In the event of necessary maintenance on a conversion unit 24 , the operator moves the corresponding plate 17 from the closed position to the open position, then disconnects the connecting studs 40 and actuates the detachable assembly part 44 of the relevant conversion unit 24 in order to separate said conversion unit 24 from its seat 42 .

[0048] In this way, the relevant conversion unit 24 is easily extracted from the compartment 19 of the traction box 14. The limited weight of the conversion unit facilitates this extraction action, which can be handled by a single operator.

[0049] Furthermore, the solid nature of the thermal interface 31 facilitates the separation of the IGBT 28 from its cooling device, thus eliminating the need for viscous materials of the oil or grease type to ensure heat transfer.

[0050] Furthermore, the disassembly of the conversion unit 24 does not require the involvement of the heat transfer fluid circuit of the cooling device 22 .

[0051] After the interventions in the vicinity of the IGBTs 28 and / or the electronic control board 29 , the conversion unit 24 is reassembled onto the rest of the module 12 by the reverse process.

[0052] In this way, the construction of the module 12 enables easy and rapid intervention close to the components that require the most maintenance, such as the IBGT transistors and the electronic control board. Maintenance can then be performed by a single operator without any particular constraints.

Claims

1. A traction box (14) intended to be placed on the roof of a railway vehicle, said traction box (14) comprising: one or more upper cover panels (17), the or each upper cover panel being movable between an open position and a closed position; and a power module (12), comprising: - a current conversion device (20); and - cooling means (22) of the conversion means; The conversion device comprises a plurality of conversion units (24), each conversion unit comprising: a carrier (26), a plurality of semiconductor elements (28) and an electronic control board (29) of the semiconductor elements, wherein the semiconductor elements and the electronic control board are fixed on the carrier; The cooling device comprises a plurality of first heat exchangers (30), such that in an assembled position of the first heat exchangers and the conversion unit, the plurality of semiconductor elements (28) are in thermal contact with the first heat exchangers to transfer heat to the first heat exchangers; The power module (12) comprises a detachable assembly component (44) for detachably assembling a carrier (26) of each conversion unit with a corresponding first heat exchanger, the carrier being separable from the first heat exchanger and the rest of the power module; The traction box (14) is characterized in that: - the or each upper cover panel is designed to be inclined at an angle of between 20° and 60° relative to the horizontal in the closed position; and - the traction box comprises an internal structure comprising at least one inclined plane (18), the inclined plane being arranged below at least one upper cover plate (17) and being substantially parallel to the upper cover plate in the closed position; the space between the upper cover plate and the inclined plane (18) forming an internal compartment (19) of the traction box; Each conversion unit (24) is located in the inner compartment, opposite the upper cover plate (17) or one of the upper cover plates (17).

2. The traction box (14) according to claim 1, wherein: The current conversion device (20) of the power module (12) comprises at least one conversion block (32), wherein the conversion block or each conversion block comprises a connecting bar (36) and two conversion units (24), wherein the semiconductor element (28) of each of the two conversion units is provided with a detachable component (40) connected to the connecting bar, and the carriers (26) of the two conversion units are arranged on both sides of the connecting bar.

3. The traction box according to claim 2, wherein the conversion block (32) or each conversion block (32) further includes a base (34) and a filter capacitor (38); the base includes two brackets (42), each of which is used to be detachably assembled with one of the two conversion units (24); and the base (34) is configured so that a space (46) is provided between the bracket (42) and the filter capacitor (38), and the inclined plane (18) and the first heat exchanger (30) are accommodated in the space (46).

4. The traction box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The semiconductor element (28) of each conversion unit (24) of the power module (12) is an insulated gate bipolar transistor.

5. The traction box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least one of the first heat exchangers (30) is assembled to a solid thermal interface (31) such that, in the assembled position of the first heat exchanger with the conversion unit (24), the thermal interface ensures heat transfer between the plurality of semiconductor elements (28) of the conversion unit and the first heat exchanger.

6. The traction box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cooling device comprises: a closed circuit of a heat-carrying fluid; and a second heat exchanger (50) capable of transferring heat from the heat-carrying fluid to an air flow generated by the movement of the railway vehicle (10); each of the first heat exchanger (30) and the second heat exchanger is arranged on the closed circuit.

7. The traction box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The total mass of each conversion unit (24) is less than 30 kg.

8. The traction box according to claim 7, wherein: The total mass of each conversion unit (24) is less than 20 kg.

9. Railway vehicle (10) comprising a traction chain comprising an electric motor and a traction box (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the traction box being located on the roof of the vehicle.

10. The railway vehicle maintenance method according to claim 9, comprising the following steps: - moving one or more upper cover panels (17) to an open position; - actuating the removable assembly part (44) to separate the carrier (26) of the conversion unit (24) from the corresponding first heat exchanger (30); and - Remove the conversion unit from the traction box (14).

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