Power supply device for hybrid or electric vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a power supply device for a hybrid or electric vehicle. An inverter includes a power card and a link capacitor. The power card has inverter circuitry configured to convert DC power provided by a power source to AC power. The link capacitor is configured to absorb a ripple current generated by the inverter circuitry or the power supply. The link capacitor and the power card are aligned along an axis. The power cards are spatially interleaved with the link capacitors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle and a power supply device for the electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles may include power modules configured to convert electrical power from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) and / or convert electrical power from AC to DC. Summary of the invention

[0003] A vehicle includes a motor, a battery, and an inverter. The motor is configured to propel the vehicle. The battery is configured to provide electrical power to the motor. The inverter is configured to convert DC electrical power from the battery into AC electrical power and deliver the AC electrical power to the motor. The inverter includes a plurality of power cards and a plurality of DC link capacitors. The power cards and the DC link capacitors are spatially arranged in an alternating configuration along an array. Each power card is sandwiched between two of the DC link capacitors or between one of the DC link capacitors and a first end cap. Each DC link capacitor is sandwiched between two of the power cards or between one of the power cards and a second end cap.

[0004] An inverter includes a plurality of switch units and a plurality of link capacitors. Each switch unit has a main housing and a circuit disposed in the main housing. The switch unit is configured to convert DC power provided by a power supply into AC power. Each link capacitor has a secondary housing and a capacitive element disposed in the secondary housing. The link capacitor is configured to absorb ripple current generated by the switch unit or the power supply. The main housing is interlaced with the secondary housing. The main housing and the secondary housing jointly define a cooling channel.

[0005] An inverter includes a power card and a link capacitor. The power card has an inversion circuit system configured to convert DC power provided by a power supply into AC power. The link capacitor is configured to absorb ripple current generated by the inversion circuit system or the power supply. The link capacitor and the power card are aligned along an axis. The power card is spatially interlaced with the link capacitor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of an inverter coupled to a DC power source and a motor;

[0007] Figure 2 is an isometric front view of the inverter;

[0008] Figure 3 It is an isometric front exploded view of the inverter;

[0009] Figure 4 is a front plan view of an array of power cards and link capacitors forming part of an inverter;

[0010] Figure 5 is a front bottom view of an array of power cards and link capacitors forming part of an inverter;

[0011] Figure 6 is a front view of a general housing housing the circuitry of a single power card or a capacitive element of one of the link capacitors; and

[0012] Figure 7 is a rear view of a typical housing housing the circuitry of a single power card or the capacitive elements of one of the link capacitors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show the details of a particular component. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the embodiments in different ways. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various features shown and described with reference to any one of the drawings may be combined with the features shown in one or more other drawings to produce embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described. The combination of features shown provides representative embodiments for typical applications. However, for applications or implementations, various combinations and modifications of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired.

[0014] refer to Figure 1 , a circuit diagram of an inverter 10 coupled to a power source 12 and a motor 14 is shown. The inverter 10 may also be referred to as a power controller, a power module, or a power supply. The motor may be an electric motor or a motor / generator combination. The inverter 10 may be used in an electric drive system of a vehicle 11 (such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle). The power source 12 may be coupled to the inverter 10 to drive the motor 14. In some contexts (including the context of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle), the power source 12 may be a battery configured to provide electric power to the motor 14, such as a traction battery, and the motor 14 may be an electric motor or an electric motor / generator combination configured to propel the vehicle 11. The inverter 10 may include an inverter circuit system 16 and a voltage converter 17. The voltage converter 17 may be a DC-DC converter. Alternatively, the voltage converter 17 may be a separate component that is not integral with the inverter 10. The inverter circuit system 16 and the voltage converter 17 may be configured to deliver electric power to the motor 14.

[0015] The inverter circuit system 16 may include a switch unit 18. The switch unit 18 may be referred to as a switch circuit or a switch. The switch unit 18 may each include a transistor 20, such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), connected in anti-parallel with a diode 22. Alternatively, other types of circuits may be used to form the switch unit 18, such as a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). The switch units 18 of multiple pairs 19 are arranged in series and extend between a positive DC bus 21 and a negative DC bus 23 of the power source 12. The switch units 18 of multiple pairs 19 each include a half bridge 19 of the inverter circuit system 16. Each half bridge 19 is connected to one phase of the motor 14 via an AC bus 25. The switch unit 18 may be configured to provide AC power to the motor 14. More specifically, the inverter circuit system 16 may be configured to convert the DC power provided by the power source 12 into AC power and then deliver the AC power to the motor 14. The inverter 10 may include a DC link capacitor 24. The link capacitor 24 may be provided between the power source 12 and the inverter circuit system 16. The link capacitor 24 also extends between the positive DC bus 21 and the negative DC bus 23 of the power source 12. The link capacitor 24 may be configured to absorb ripple current generated at the inverter circuit system 16 or the power source 12, and stabilize the DC link voltage Vo for control by the inverter circuit system 16. In other words, the link capacitor 24 may be arranged to limit the voltage variation occurring at the input of the inverter circuit system 16 due to ripple current generated by the inverter circuit system 16 or a battery (such as a traction battery) that may include the power source 12. The inverter 10 may include a driver board 26 for controlling the inverter circuit system 16. The driver board 26 may be a gate driver board configured to operate the transistor 20 of the switch unit 18 when converting DC power from the power source 12 into AC power and delivering the AC power to the motor 14.

[0016] The voltage converter 17 may include an inductor. A circuit (not shown) of the voltage converter including the inductor may be configured to amplify or increase the voltage of the electric power delivered from the power source 12 to the motor 14. A fuse 28 may be provided on the DC side of the inverter circuit system 16 to protect the inverter circuit system 16 from surges in the electric power.

[0017] The present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to Figure 1 The circuit diagram of the invention should include power control devices including other types of inverter circuit systems, capacitors, converters or combinations thereof. For example, the inverter circuit system 16 may include any number of switch units and is not limited to Figure 1 As another example, the link capacitor 24 may include several capacitors instead of Figure 1 A single capacitor is shown in FIG.

[0018] refer to Figures 2 to 7, further illustrating the inverter 10. The switch units 18 may each further include an external housing 30. The inverter circuit system 16 (e.g., one of the transistors 20 and the corresponding diode 22) of each switch unit 18 may be disposed within one of the housings 30. Each switch unit 18 including the corresponding housing 30 and the corresponding inverter circuit system 16 may be referred to as a power card. The housings 30 may each include an electrically insulating mold, such as an epoxy resin mold, disposed above the corresponding inverter circuit system 16.

[0019] The DC link capacitor 24 may include a plurality of sub-capacitors 34. The sub-capacitors 34 may be electrically arranged in parallel. The sub-capacitors 34 may be individually referred to as DC link capacitors. Each sub-capacitor 34 includes an outer housing 36 and a capacitive element 38 disposed within the respective housing 36. The housings 36 may each include an electrically insulating mold, such as an epoxy resin mold, disposed over the corresponding capacitive element 38. Each housing 30 may be referred to as a primary housing, and each housing 36 may be referred to as a secondary housing, or vice versa.

[0020] The switch cells 18 and sub-capacitors 34 are spatially arranged in an alternating configuration along the array 40 such that (i) each switch cell 18 is sandwiched between two of the sub-capacitors 34 or between one of the sub-capacitors 34 and a first end cap 42, and (ii) each sub-capacitor 34 is sandwiched between two of the switch cells 18 or between one of the switch cells 18 and a second end cap 44. The first end cap 42 may be a front cap disposed along a front end of the array 40, and the second end cap may be a rear cap or back cap disposed along a rear end or back end of the array 40, or vice versa. In other words, the sub-capacitors 34 and switch cells 18 are aligned along the axis 46, and the switch cells 18 are spatially staggered with the sub-capacitors 34. Further note that the primary housing 30 is staggered with the secondary housing 36, and the primary housing 30 and the secondary housing 36 are aligned along the axis 46.

[0021] The main housing 30 and the secondary housing 36 collectively define a cooling passage 48. The cooling passage 48 includes an inlet cooling passage 50 and an outlet cooling passage 52. The inlet cooling passage 50 and the outlet cooling passage 52 each extend through each main housing 30 and each secondary housing 36. The inlet cooling passage 50 and the outlet cooling passage 52 are aligned along an array. The inlet cooling passage 50 and the outlet cooling passage 52 are aligned along a direction 54 that is substantially parallel to the axis 46. Substantially parallel may refer to any incremental angle between completely parallel and 15° different from completely parallel. The first end cover 42 or the second end cover 44 may define an inlet 53 to the inlet cooling passage 50 and an outlet 55 from the outlet cooling passage 52.

[0022] The cooling channel 48 further includes a transverse cooling channel 56 extending between the inflow cooling channel 50 and the outflow cooling channel 52. The transverse cooling channel 56 is configured to guide the coolant between the adjacent switch units 18 and the sub-capacitors 34. More specifically, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The inner surface or face 58 of the housing 60 shown in FIG. 5 may be recessed to define the transverse cooling passages 56 . The direction of flow of a coolant (eg, water or glycol) through the cooling passages 48 is shown by arrows 61 .

[0023] Notice, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The housing 60 in FIG. 5 may represent either the primary housing 30 or the secondary housing 36. Further note that the recess defining the transverse cooling passage 56 may only be present in one of the primary housing 30 or the secondary housing 36 in an adjacent pair including one primary housing 30 and one secondary housing 36. For example, the inner face 58 may be recessed only in the primary housing 30 and not in the secondary housing 36, or vice versa. Furthermore, the dimensions and features of the primary housing 30 and the secondary housing 36 may differ from one another. Figure 6 and Figure 7 6. For example, the thickness of the secondary housing 36 (i.e., the dimension of the secondary housing 36 along the axis 46) may be greater than the thickness of the primary housing 30 (i.e., the dimension of the primary housing 30 along the axis 46), or vice versa. As another example, the secondary housing 36 may include mounting features, such as the eyelets 62, while the primary housing 30 does not include mounting features, or vice versa.

[0024] The primary housing 30 and the secondary housing 36 each include alignment features configured to align adjacent switch units 18 and sub-capacitors 34 with each other and to align all switch units 18 and sub-capacitors 34 along the array 40 and along the axis 46. The alignment features may include (i) a protrusion 64 extending outwardly from a forward surface of the peripheral region of the primary housing 30 and the secondary housing 36 and (ii) a recess or groove 66 defined by a rearward surface of the peripheral region of the primary housing 30 and the secondary housing 36, or vice versa. The protrusion 64 is configured to engage the groove 66 to align the adjacent housings 30, 36 and to align the switch units 18 and sub-capacitors 34 along the array 40 and along the axis 46. The engagement between the protrusion 64 and the groove 66 may also operate to form a seal to prevent coolant from leaking from the cooling passage 48 in the space between the adjacent housings 30, 36. One of the first end cap 42 and the second end cap 44 may include one of the protrusions 64 , while the other of the first end cap 42 and the second end cap 44 may define one of the recesses 66 .

[0025] The switch unit 18 and the sub-capacitor 34 each include a positive DC bus terminal 68 and a negative DC bus terminal 70. The positive DC bus terminal 68 and the negative DC bus terminal 70 connected to the switch unit 18 may extend from the inverter circuit system 16 and through the main housing 30 in a direction 72. The positive DC bus terminal 68 and the negative DC bus terminal 70 connected to the sub-capacitor 34 may extend from the capacitive element 38 and through the secondary housing 36 in a direction 72. The direction 72 may be transverse to the array 40, transverse to the staggering of the main housing 30 and the secondary housing 36, and / or transverse to the axis 46. The direction 72 may be substantially perpendicular to the array 40 or the axis 46. Substantially perpendicular may refer to any incremental angle between completely perpendicular and 15° different from completely perpendicular.

[0026] The switch unit 18 may further include an AC phase bus terminal 74. The AC phase bus terminal 74 may also extend from the inverter circuit system 16 and through the main housing 30 in the direction 72. The switch unit 18 may further include a switch signal terminal 76. The switch signal terminal 76 may extend from the inverter circuit system 16 and through the main housing 30 in the direction 78. The direction 78 may be transverse to the array 40, transverse to the staggering of the main housing 30 and the secondary housing 36, and / or transverse to the axis 46. The direction 78 may be substantially perpendicular to the array 40 or the axis 46. Substantially perpendicular may refer to any incremental angle between completely perpendicular and 15° different from completely perpendicular. The direction 78 may be opposite to the direction 72.

[0027] The positive DC bus terminals 68 may each be electrically connected to the positive DC bus 21. The negative DC bus terminals 70 may each be electrically connected to the negative DC bus 23. The AC phase bus terminals 74 may be electrically connected to the AC bus 25 or one of the multiple AC phase bus bars 25. The switch signal terminal 76 may be electrically connected to the drive board 26. The positive DC bus terminals 68 and the negative DC bus terminals 70 may be reversed as shown (i.e., the reference number 68 may refer to the negative DC bus terminal, and the reference number 70 may refer to the positive DC bus terminal). The positive DC bus 21 and the negative DC bus 23 may also be reversed as shown (i.e., the reference number 21 may refer to the negative DC bus, and the reference number 23 may refer to the positive DC bus).

[0028] The AC current sensor 80 may be fixed to the AC bus 25 and may be configured to transmit the current flow through the AC bus 25 back to a system controller, such as a vehicle controller. An electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter 82 (which may be composed of a DC choke, a Y-capacitor, etc.) may be electrically connected to the positive DC bus 21 and / or the negative DC bus 23. A thermal pad 84 may be provided between the DC bus (e.g., the positive DC bus 21 and the negative DC bus 23) and the housing 86. The thermal pad 84 is configured to increase or enhance passive heat transfer between the DC bus (e.g., the positive DC bus 21 and the negative DC bus 23) and the housing 86. The housing 86 is configured to house components of the inverter 10. The inverter components can be fixed to the housing 86 and / or arranged in the housing, and the inverter components each include a switch unit 18, a DC link capacitor 24 (each including a sub-capacitor 34), a positive DC bus 21, a negative DC bus 23, an AC bus 25, an AC current sensor 80, an EMI filter 82, a thermal pad 84, a drive board 26, a first end cover 42 and a second end cover 44.

[0029] A system controller such as the vehicle controller described herein may be part of a larger control system and may be controlled by various other controllers throughout the vehicle 11. It should be understood, therefore, that such a controller and one or more other controllers may be collectively referred to as a "controller" that controls various actuators in response to signals from various sensors to control the functions of the vehicle 11 or a vehicle subsystem. Such a controller may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) that communicates with various types of computer-readable storage devices or media. The computer-readable storage device or media may include, for example, volatile and non-volatile storage devices in read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM). KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables when the CPU is powered off. The computer-readable storage device or medium may be implemented using any of several known memory devices, such as PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (electrical PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combined memory device capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions used by such a controller to control the vehicle 11 or a vehicle subsystem.

[0030] The control logic or functions performed by such controllers may be represented by a flowchart or similar diagram in one or more of the accompanying drawings. These drawings provide representative control strategies and / or logic that can be implemented using one or more processing strategies (such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, etc.). Therefore, the various steps or functions shown may be performed in the order shown, may be performed in parallel, or may be omitted in some cases. Although not always explicitly shown, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the steps or functions shown may be repeated, depending on the specific processing strategy used. Similarly, the processing order is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based vehicle, engine, and / or powertrain controller. Of course, depending on the specific application, the control logic may be implemented in one or more controllers in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media, which store data representing codes or instructions executed by a computer to control a vehicle or a vehicle subsystem. The computer-readable storage device or medium may include one or more of several known physical devices that utilize electrical, magnetic, and / or optical storage to hold executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.

[0031] In a traction inverter (e.g., an inverter used in a hybrid or electric vehicle), a power module (e.g., a housing including an inverter circuit system 16) and a DC link capacitor (e.g., a link capacitor 24) are typically two separate components connected by a busbar during assembly. The power module, dc link capacitor, busbar, and heat sink (e.g., thermal pad 84) can occupy significant space when assembled. The current design is an integrated design in which the elements of the power module (e.g., switch unit 18) and the DC link capacitor (e.g., the sub-capacitors 34 that collectively constitute the DC link capacitor 24) are stacked in a staggered manner. Such a design provides the following advantages: (i) a reduction in the overall size of the inverter due to compact packaging; (ii) a reduction in parasitic inductance due to shorter power cycles; (iii) increased cooling due to increased surface area for heat removal; (iv) ease of manufacturing and assembly; (v) modular and scalable design; and (vi) reduced cost.

[0032] It should be understood that the first, second, third, fourth, etc. designations for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Further, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein without a numerical designation may be given a first, second, third, fourth, etc. designation in the claims if one or more of the specific components, states, or conditions are claimed.

[0033] The words used in the specification are descriptive rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As previously mentioned, the features of the various embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments that may not be explicitly described or shown. Although various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, it should be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve the desired overall system properties, depending on the specific application and implementation. Therefore, embodiments that are described as being less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are within the scope of the present disclosure and may be desirable for a particular application.

[0034] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having: a motor, the motor being configured to propel the vehicle; a battery, the battery being configured to provide electric power to the motor; and an inverter, the inverter being configured to convert DC electric power from the battery into AC electric power and deliver the AC electric power to the motor, the inverter comprising (i) a plurality of power cards and (ii) a plurality of DC link capacitors, wherein the power cards and the DC link capacitors are spatially arranged in an alternating configuration along an array such that (a) each power card is sandwiched between two of the DC link capacitors or between one of the DC link capacitors and a first end cap, and (b) each DC link capacitor is sandwiched between two of the power cards or between one of the power cards and a second end cap.

[0035] According to an embodiment, each of the power cards and each of the DC link capacitors include an external housing.

[0036] According to an embodiment, each of the outer shells (i) is aligned along the array and (ii) defines a cooling channel.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the cooling channels include inflow cooling channels and outflow cooling channels that (i) extend through each outer shell and (ii) are aligned along an array.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the cooling channel includes a lateral cooling channel (i) extending between an inflow cooling channel and an outflow cooling channel and (ii) configured to direct coolant between adjacent power cards and a DC link capacitor.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the invention also features bus terminals that extend (i) from the power card and the DC link capacitor in a direction transverse to the array and (ii) through the corresponding external housing.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the invention also features switch signal terminals that (i) extend from the power card and (ii) pass through a corresponding external housing in a second direction that is (a) opposite to the direction and (b) transverse to the array.

[0041] According to the present invention, an inverter is provided, the inverter having: a plurality of switch units, each switch unit having (i) a main housing and (ii) a circuit disposed in the main housing, wherein the switch unit is configured to convert DC power provided by a power supply into AC power; and a plurality of link capacitors, each link capacitor having (i) a secondary housing and (ii) a capacitive element disposed in the secondary housing, wherein (a) the link capacitor is configured to absorb ripple current generated by the switch unit or the power supply, (b) the main housing is interleaved with the secondary housing, and (c) the main housing and the secondary housing jointly define a cooling channel.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the cooling channel includes an inflow cooling channel and an outflow cooling channel.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the inflow cooling channel and the outflow cooling channel extend through each of the primary housing and the secondary housing.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the cooling channel comprises a transverse cooling channel (i) extending between the inflow cooling channel and the outflow cooling channel and (ii) configured to conduct coolant between adjacent switch cells and the link capacitor.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the invention also features switch signal terminals that extend (i) from each of the circuits and (ii) through the primary housing in a staggered direction transverse to the primary housing and the secondary housing.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the present invention is also characterized by a bus terminal that (i) extends from each of the circuits and each of the capacitive elements and (ii) passes through the main housing and the secondary housing, respectively, in a second direction that is (a) opposite to the direction and (b) transverse to the staggered second direction of the main housing and the secondary housing.

[0047] According to the present invention, an inverter is provided, the inverter having: a power card having an inverter circuit system configured to convert DC power provided by a power supply into AC power; and a link capacitor configured to absorb ripple current generated by the inverter circuit system or the power supply, wherein (i) the link capacitor and the power card are aligned along an axis, and (ii) the power card is spatially staggered with the link capacitor.

[0048] According to an embodiment, each of the power cards and each of the link capacitors include an external housing.

[0049] According to an embodiment, each of the outer shells (i) is aligned along an axis and (ii) defines a cooling channel.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the cooling passage includes an inlet cooling passage and an outlet cooling passage that (i) extend through each outer housing and (ii) are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the cooling channel includes a transverse cooling channel that (i) extends between an inflow cooling channel and an outflow cooling channel and (ii) is configured to direct coolant between adjacent power cards and a link capacitor.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the present invention is also characterized by a bus terminal that extends (i) from the inverter circuit system and the link capacitor in a direction transverse to the axis and (ii) through the corresponding external housing.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the present invention is also characterized by switch signal terminals that extend (i) from the inverter circuitry of each power card in a direction transverse to the axis and (ii) through the corresponding external housing.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: an electric motor configured to propel the vehicle; a battery configured to provide electrical power to the motor; and An inverter configured to convert DC electric power from the battery into AC electric power and deliver the AC electric power to the motor, the inverter comprising (i) a plurality of power cards and (ii) a plurality of DC link capacitors, wherein the power cards and the DC link capacitors are spatially arranged in an alternating configuration along an array such that (a) each power card is sandwiched between two of the DC link capacitors or between one of the DC link capacitors and a first end cap, and (b) each DC link capacitor is sandwiched between two of the power cards or between one of the power cards and a second end cap. 2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein each of the power cards and each of the DC link capacitors include an external housing.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein each of the outer shells (i) is aligned along the array and (ii) defines a cooling channel.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the cooling passages include inlet cooling passages and outlet cooling passages that (i) extend through each outer shell and (ii) are aligned along the array.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the cooling passage comprises a transverse cooling passage that (i) extends between the inflow cooling passage and the outflow cooling passage and (ii) is configured to direct coolant between adjacent power cards and a DC link capacitor.

6. The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising bus terminals extending (i) from the power card and the DC link capacitor in a direction transverse to the array and (ii) through the corresponding external housing.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a switch signal terminal that (i) extends from the power card and (ii) passes through the corresponding external housing in a second direction that is (a) opposite to the direction and (b) transverse to the array.

8. An inverter, comprising: a plurality of switch units, each switch unit having (i) a main housing and (ii) circuitry disposed within the main housing, wherein the switch unit is configured to convert DC power provided by a power source into AC power; and A plurality of link capacitors, each link capacitor having (i) a secondary housing and (ii) a capacitive element disposed within the secondary housing, wherein (a) the link capacitor is configured to absorb ripple current generated by the switch unit or the power supply, (b) the primary housing is interleaved with the secondary housing, and (c) the primary housing and the secondary housing jointly define a cooling channel. 9 . The inverter according to claim 8 , wherein the cooling channel comprises an inflow cooling channel and an outflow cooling channel. 10 . The inverter of claim 9 , wherein the inflow cooling passage and the outflow cooling passage extend through each of the primary housing and the secondary housing.

11. The inverter of claim 10, wherein the cooling channel comprises a transverse cooling channel that (i) extends between the inflow cooling channel and the outflow cooling channel and (ii) is configured to guide coolant between adjacent switch cells and a link capacitor.

12. The inverter according to claim 8, further comprising: (i) a switch signal terminal extending from each of the circuits and through the main housing in a staggered direction transverse to the main housing and the secondary housing; and (ii) bus terminals extending from each of the circuits and each of the capacitive elements and passing through the primary housing and the secondary housing, respectively, in a second direction opposite to the direction and transverse to the staggered second direction of the primary housing and the secondary housing.

13. An inverter, comprising: a power card having inverter circuitry configured to convert DC power provided by a power source into AC power; and A link capacitor is configured to absorb ripple current generated by the inverter circuit system or the power supply, wherein (i) the link capacitor and the power card are aligned along an axis, and (ii) the power card is spatially interleaved with the link capacitor.

14. The inverter of claim 13, wherein (i) each of the power cards and each of the link capacitors comprises an external housing, and (ii) each of the external housings (a) is aligned along the axis and (b) defines a cooling channel.

15. An inverter as claimed in claim 14, wherein the (i) cooling channel includes an inlet cooling channel and an outlet cooling channel extending through each external housing and aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, and (ii) a lateral cooling channel extending between the inlet cooling channel and the outlet cooling channel and configured to guide coolant between adjacent power cards and link capacitors.

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