Power electronic system packaged with common heat sink and housing

Abstract

An assembly for two (or more) DC / DC converters located in a common enclosure, where the DC / DC converters share a heat sink assembly, such as a common double-sided heat sink assembly. The technique effectively encapsulates the components of the DC / DC converter within a common enclosure and simplifies the cooling lines routed to those components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document relates generally to power electronic systems and, more particularly, to packaging of power electronic systems. Background Art

[0002] In response to fuel efficiency concerns and desired performance characteristics, emphasis has been placed on using electricity to operate various components associated with vehicles. Battery-powered machines offer many advantages over internal combustion engine-powered machines. One advantage is that battery-powered machines do not emit combustion byproducts. This advantage is particularly useful in underground mining environments. Internal combustion engine underground mining machines may often need to be used in conjunction with a ventilation system that provides fresh air to the machine and carries away combustion exhaust gases from the surface.

[0003] The battery-powered machine includes one or more power storage devices (e.g., batteries) to receive and store power. To transmit power to components of the battery-powered machine, the electrical system architecture of the battery-powered machine includes a DC / DC converter configured to receive DC power at a first voltage and convert the DC power at the first voltage to DC power at a second voltage.

[0004] CN113890273A discloses a dual-bridge assembly. The dual-bridge assembly includes a mounting housing, a first motor, a second motor, a first controller, and a second controller, wherein the first motor, the second motor, the first controller, and the second controller are all mounted in the mounting housing. The assembly also includes a first cooling water channel and a second cooling water channel, wherein the first cooling water channel is arranged on the mounting housing and is used for heat exchange with the first controller and the first motor, and the second cooling water channel is arranged on the mounting housing and is used for heat exchange with the second controller and the second motor. The assembly also includes an oil cooler, wherein the oil cooling water channel is integrated in the oil cooler, the first cooling water channel and the second cooling water channel are both connected to the oil cooling water channel, and the oil cooler is provided with a water outlet nozzle connected to the oil cooling water channel. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention particularly describes an assembly for two (or more) DC / DC converters located in a common housing, wherein the DC / DC converters share a heat sink assembly, such as a shared double-sided heat sink assembly. The techniques of the present invention effectively encapsulate the components of the DC / DC converters within the common housing and simplify the routing of cooling lines to those components.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention relates to an assembly for two DC / DC converters located in a common housing, the assembly comprising: a first DC / DC converter, including: a first power electronic module, which is configured to receive a first DC input voltage and generate a first voltage; a second power electronic module, which is configured to generate a second voltage; and a first transformer, which is electrically coupled between the first power electronic module and the second power electronic module; a second DC / DC converter, including: a third power electronic module, which is configured to receive a second DC input voltage and generate a third voltage; a fourth power electronic module, which is configured to generate a fourth voltage; and a second transformer, which is electrically coupled between the third power electronic module and the fourth power electronic module; and a heat sink assembly, which is mechanically coupled to the second power electronic module and the fourth power electronic module, wherein the heat sink assembly defines a channel, which is configured to receive a fluid of a fluid cooling system, wherein the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter are positioned within the common housing.

[0007] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a battery-driven machine, comprising: an electrical system, the electrical system including: an assembly for two DC / DC converters located in a common housing, the assembly including: a first DC / DC converter, including: a first power electronic module, which is configured to receive a first DC input voltage and generate a first voltage; a second power electronic module, which is configured to generate a second voltage; and a first transformer, which is electrically coupled between the first power electronic module and the second power electronic module; a second DC / DC converter, including: a third power electronic module, which is configured to receive a second DC input voltage and generate a third voltage; a fourth power electronic module, which is configured to generate a fourth voltage; and a second transformer, which is electrically coupled between the third power electronic module and the fourth power electronic module; and a heat sink assembly, which is mechanically coupled to the second power electronic module and the fourth power electronic module, wherein the heat sink assembly defines a channel, which is configured to receive fluid of a fluid cooling system, wherein the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter are positioned in the common housing.

[0008] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of assembling two DC / DC converters in a housing shared by the two DC / DC converters, the method comprising: mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a first DC / DC converter to a heat sink assembly; mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a second DC / DC converter to the heat sink assembly; and positioning the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter within the housing shared by the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1is a perspective view of an example of a battery-powered machine in which the various techniques of the present invention may be implemented.

[0010] Figure 2 It can be Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the DC / DC converter used in the machine.

[0011] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an example of an electric drive system using the DC / DC converter of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 An assembly according to the invention for two DC / DC converters arranged in a common housing is depicted.

[0013] Figure 5 Depicted Figure 4 Example of a common heat sink assembly.

[0014] Figure 6 Describes the use Figure 4 An example of a cooling system for a first DC / DC converter and a second DC / DC converter.

[0015] Figure 7 Depicts the Figure 4 Components of two DC / DC converters.

[0016] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an example of a method of assembling two DC / DC converters in a housing shared by the two DC / DC converters. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In high power applications, DC / DC converters may include large dedicated components, the size of which increases as the rated power increases. In addition, these high power applications may include space constraints, which may make it difficult to provide a DC / DC converter with sufficient rated power to accommodate the application.

[0018] The inventors have recognized the need for an electrical architecture for a power-dense DC / DC converter system that minimizes its footprint and has a simplified cooling system. The present invention describes, among other things, an assembly for two (or more) DC / DC converters located in a common housing, wherein the DC / DC converters share a heat sink assembly, such as a shared double-sided heat sink assembly. The techniques of the present invention effectively encapsulate the components of the DC / DC converters within a common housing and simplify the cooling lines routed to those components.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a battery-powered machine 100 in which the various techniques of the present invention may be implemented. Figure 1A non-limiting view of a battery powered machine 100 in the form of a load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicle such as used in mining is depicted, including a dump bucket 102 , wheels 104 , 106 , an operator control cabin 108 , and a vehicle body 110 .

[0020] The battery-powered machine 100, such as an electric mining truck, also includes an electrical architecture 112. The electrical architecture 112 may include a DC power source, including but not limited to a battery module, which may, among other things, power an electric motor. The electric motor may supply rotational power to one or more systems, such as a system configured to operate various hydraulic devices of the dump bucket 102. The technology of the present invention is not limited to LHD vehicles, but is applicable to other industrial vehicles, including but not limited to continuous miners, feed breakers, roof bolters, multi-purpose vehicles for mining, underground mining loaders, underground articulated trucks, or any other vehicle used for industrial purposes such as hauling, excavating, drilling, loading, dumping, compacting, etc. In addition, the technology of the present invention, while particularly applicable to battery-powered vehicles, may also be used in hybrid vehicles and internal combustion engine-powered vehicles.

[0021] Figure 2 It can be Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a DC / DC converter used in a machine. In high power applications, a bridge bidirectional converter is a common choice for use as a power transmission unit. A dual active full-bridge converter can be used to transmit power. A dual active bridge converter (DAB) is a buck and boost bidirectional DC / DC converter based on two active full-bridge circuits connected via a high frequency transformer interface. For example, the DC / DC converter can be a dual active bridge DC / DC converter 200. The DC / DC converter can form Figure 1 Part of the electrical architecture 112.

[0022] In some examples, the dual active bridge DC / DC converter 200 includes a first full bridge circuit 202 and a second full bridge circuit 204, the first full bridge circuit includes a plurality of electronic switches S1-S4, and the second full bridge circuit includes a plurality of electronic switches S5-S8. The dual active bridge DC converter 200 includes a transformer 206 coupled between the first full bridge circuit 202 and the second full bridge circuit 204. The transformer 206 includes a turns ratio of n:1. The dual active bridge DC converter 200 includes an inductor L coupled between the first full bridge circuit 202 and a primary winding 208 of the transformer 206.

[0023] The first full-bridge circuit 202 is configured to generate a voltage V1 at the primary winding 208 of the transformer 206, and the second full-bridge circuit 204 is configured to generate a voltage V2 at the secondary winding 210 of the transformer 206. The control circuit 212 is particularly configured to generate control signals to control the operation of the switches S1-S8 so that the first full-bridge circuit 202 and the second full-bridge circuit 204 can generate voltages V1 and V2, respectively. The switch groups (S1, S2), (S4, S3), (S5, S6) and (S8, S7) are complementary pairs, each switch operating at a 50% duty cycle, respectively. Therefore, for example, if S1 is ON, S2 will be OFF, and if S1 is OFF, S2 will be ON.

[0024] The first full bridge circuit 202 is coupled to a first voltage source (labeled HV) and a capacitor C1. The second full bridge circuit 204 is coupled to a second voltage source (labeled LV) and a capacitor C2. It should be noted that the voltage of the first voltage source (HV) is not necessarily higher than the voltage of the second voltage source (labeled LV).

[0025] The electric machine is driven by a battery rather than an engine. The battery pack may include one or more battery modules, and the battery module may include one or more battery cells. The second voltage source LV may include one or more battery modules. The first voltage source HV may include a DC bus, such as coupled to an electrical load such as a motor of the electric machine via an inverter, such as Figure 3 shown.

[0026] Figure 3 300 is a diagrammatic view of an example of an electric drive system using the DC / DC converter of the present invention. The drive system 300 may be used with an electric machine such as Figure 1 In the example shown, the drive system 300 includes a DC power source 302, such as one or more battery modules, each battery module including one or more battery cells. The DC power source 302 is coupled to a DC / DC converter 304, such as Figure 2 A dual active bridge DC / DC converter 200 is provided.

[0027] The DC / DC converter 304 is coupled to an inverter 306, which generates an AC voltage from the output of the DC / DC converter 304. An electrically drivable load 308, such as a motor of an electric machine, is coupled to the inverter 306.

[0028] Figure 4 An assembly for two DC / DC converters configured to be located in a common housing is depicted in accordance with the present invention. As described in more detail below, the assembly 400 includes two DC / DC converters 402, 404 that share a heat sink assembly 406 and are combined in a single housing. Figure 5Radiator assembly 406 is shown in greater detail in FIG.

[0029] In some examples, each of the first DC / DC converter 402 and the second DC / DC converter 404 can be a dual active bridge DC / DC converter, such as Figure 2 As shown. The first DC / DC converter 402 includes a first power electronic module 408, a second power electronic module 410, and a first transformer 412 electrically coupled between the first power electronic module 408 and the second power electronic module 410. The first power electronic module 408 is configured to receive a first DC input voltage and generate a first voltage. For example, the first power electronic module 408 may include Figure 2 The first power electronics module 408 may receive a voltage from an external DC power source, such as a battery module, and generate a voltage at the primary winding of the first transformer 412, such as Figure 2 The voltage V1 in.

[0030] The second power electronics module 410 is coupled to the first transformer 412 and is configured to generate a second voltage. For example, the second power electronics module 410 may include Figure 2 The second full bridge circuit 204 may be similar to the components of the second full bridge circuit 204 and may generate a voltage LV, such as by coupling to Figure 3 The inverter 306.

[0031] The second DC / DC converter 404 is similar to the first DC / DC converter 402. The second DC / DC converter 404 includes a first power electronics module 414, a second power electronics module 416, and a first transformer 418 electrically coupled between the first power electronics module 414 and the second power electronics module 416. The first power electronics module 414 is configured to receive a first DC input voltage and generate a first voltage. For example, the first power electronics module 414 may include Figure 2 The first power electronics module 414 may receive a voltage from an external DC power source, such as a battery module, and generate a voltage at a primary winding of a first transformer 418, such as Figure 2 The voltage V1 in.

[0032] The first DC / DC converter 402 and the second DC / DC converter 404 are independent of each other. In some examples, the first DC input voltage of the first power electronics module 408 coupled to the first DC / DC converter 402 and the first DC input voltage of the first power electronics module 414 coupled to the second DC / DC converter 402 are the same voltage and are provided by the same DC power source, such as Figure 3 A DC power source 302, such as a battery module.

[0033] Using the techniques of the present invention, the first DC / DC converter 402 and the second DC / DC converter 404 share a heat sink assembly 406. The heat sink assembly 406 is mechanically coupled to the second power electronics module 410 of the first DC / DC converter 402 and the second power electronics module 416 of the second DC / DC converter 404. The heat sink assembly defines a channel, cavity, or other passageway that is configured to receive a fluid of a fluid cooling system. In some examples, the fluid may be a liquid. In other examples, the fluid may be a gas. The first DC / DC converter 402 and the second DC / DC converter 404 are positioned within a common housing, such as Figure 7 shown.

[0034] Figure 5 Depicted Figure 4 4. The second power electronic module 410 of the first DC / DC converter 402 is coupled to the first side 500 of the heat sink assembly 406, and the second power electronic module 416 of the second DC / DC converter 404 is coupled to the second side 502 of the heat sink assembly 406. In the example shown, the second side 502 is opposite to the first side 500. Components 504 of the second power electronic module 416 of the second DC / DC converter 404, such as switches such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), are shown coupled to the second side 502. The corresponding IGBT of the second power electronic module 410 of the first DC / DC converter 402 can be arranged on the first side 500.

[0035] Figure 6 Describes the use Figure 4 An example of a cooling system for a first DC / DC converter and a second DC / DC converter. The cooling system 600 includes Figure 4 The heat sink assembly 406 and the heat sink assembly 602 and the heat sink assembly 604, the heat sink assembly 602 can be mechanically coupled to the first power electronic module 408 of the first DC / DC converter, and the heat sink assembly 604 can be mechanically coupled to Figure 4 The first power electronic module 414 of the second DC / DC converter.

[0036] As described above, the heat sink assembly 406 defines a first channel 606 or other internal passageway that is configured to receive a fluid of a fluid cooling system. The heat sink assembly 406 includes a cooling system input port 608 that is coupled to the first channel 606 and the fluid cooling system 610. The cooling system input port 608 is configured to receive a fluid, such as a liquid or a gas, of the fluid cooling system 610. In some examples, the heat sink assembly 406 can divide the received fluid into two approximately equal portions that exit the heat sink assembly 406 at a first cooling system output port 614 and a second cooling system output port 620.

[0037] Radiator assembly 602 defines a second passage 612 configured to receive a first portion of fluid of fluid cooling system 610 via input port 613. Radiator assembly 406 includes a first cooling system output port 614 coupled to first passage 606 and configured to supply a first portion of fluid to second passage 612 via first tube 616.

[0038] Similarly, the heat sink assembly 604 defines a third channel 618 configured to receive a second portion of the fluid of the fluid cooling system 610 via an input port 619. The heat sink assembly 406 includes a second cooling system output port 620 coupled to the first channel 606 and configured to supply the second portion of the fluid to the third channel 618 via a second tube 622.

[0039] The second radiator assembly 602 includes a third cooling system output port 624 coupled to the second channel 612. The third cooling system output port 624 is coupled to a main cooling system output port 628 via a third tube 626. The main cooling system output port 628 is coupled to the fluid cooling system 610 and is configured to return fluid to the fluid cooling system 610.

[0040] The third radiator assembly 604 includes a fourth cooling system output port 630 coupled to the third passage 618. The fourth cooling system output port 630 is coupled to the main cooling system output port 628 via a fourth pipe 632.

[0041] Figure 7 Depicts the Figure 4 Components of two DC / DC converters. Figure 4 The assembly 400 is positioned by Figure 4 The first DC / DC converter 402 and Figure 4 The second DC / DC converter 404 is located in the housing 700 that is shared by the second DC / DC converter 404 .

[0042] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an example of a method 800 for assembling two DC / DC converters in a housing shared by the two DC / DC converters. At block 802, the method 800 includes mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a first DC / DC converter to a heat sink assembly. For example, Figure 4 The power electronics module 410 may be mechanically coupled to Figure 6 Radiator assembly 406 .

[0043] At block 804, method 800 includes mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a second DC / DC converter to a heat sink assembly. Figure 4 The power electronics module 416 may be mechanically coupled to Figure 6 Radiator assembly 406 .

[0044] At block 806, method 800 includes positioning the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter within a housing shared by the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter. Figure 4 The first DC / DC converter 402 and Figure 4 The second DC / DC converter 404 may be positioned at Figure 7 The housing 700 is provided with a plurality of protective films.

[0045] In some examples, method 800 includes mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a first DC / DC converter to a first side of a heat sink assembly and mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a second DC / DC converter to a second side of the heat sink assembly, wherein the second side is opposite the first side.

[0046] In some examples, method 800 includes defining a first channel in a heat sink assembly, wherein the first channel is configured to receive a fluid of a fluid cooling system.

[0047] In some examples, method 800 includes mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a first DC / DC converter to a second heat sink assembly, and mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a second DC / DC converter to a third heat sink assembly.

[0048] In some examples, method 800 includes defining a second channel in a second heat sink assembly, wherein the second channel is configured to receive a first portion of a fluid of a fluid cooling system, and defining a third channel in a third heat sink assembly, wherein the third channel is configured to receive a second portion of the fluid of the fluid cooling system.

[0049] Industrial Applicability

[0050] In high power applications, DC / DC converters may include large dedicated components, the size of which increases as the rated power increases. In addition, these high power applications may include space constraints, which may make it difficult to provide a DC / DC converter with sufficient rated power to accommodate the application.

[0051] The inventors have recognized the need for an electrical architecture for a power-dense DC / DC converter system that minimizes its footprint and has a simplified cooling system. The present invention describes, among other things, an assembly for two (or more) DC / DC converters located in a common housing, wherein the DC / DC converters share a heat sink assembly, such as a shared double-sided heat sink assembly. The techniques of the present invention effectively encapsulate the components of the DC / DC converters within a common housing and simplify the cooling lines routed to those components.

[0052] Unless expressly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of a plurality of such components, structures, operations, or their equivalents. In the context of describing the present invention (particularly in the context of the appended claims), the use of the terms "one" and "an" and "said" and "at least one" or the term "one or more" and similar indicators should be interpreted as covering the singular and the plural, unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The use of a list of one or more items (e.g., "at least one of A and B" or "one or more of A and B") followed by the term "at least one" should be interpreted as meaning an item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B), unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context. Similarly, the word "or" used herein refers to any possible arrangement of a group of items. For example, the phrase "A, B or C" means at least one of A, B, C or any combination thereof, such as any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C; or a plurality of any items, such as A and A; B, B and C; A, A, B, C and C; and so on.

[0053] The above detailed description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. An assembly (400) for two DC / DC converters in a common housing (700), the assembly (400) include: A first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) comprising: a first power electronics module (414) (408) configured to receive a first DC input voltage and generate a first voltage; a second power electronics module (416) (410) configured to generate a second voltage; and a first transformer (206) (418) (412) electrically coupled between the first power electronics module (414) (408) and the second power electronics module (416) (410); A second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) comprising: a third power electronic module configured to receive the second DC input voltage and generate a third voltage; a fourth power electronics module configured to generate a fourth voltage; and a second transformer (206) electrically coupled between the third power electronic module and the fourth power electronic module; and a heat sink assembly (400)(604)(602)(406) mechanically coupled to the second power electronics module (416)(410) and the fourth power electronics module, wherein the heat sink assembly (400)(604)(602)(406) defines a channel configured to receive a fluid of a fluid cooling system (600)(610), Wherein the first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) and the second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) are positioned within the common housing (700).

2. The assembly (400) of claim 1, wherein the first DC input voltage and the second DC input voltage are the same voltage and are provided by a DC power source (302).

3. The assembly (400) of claim 1, wherein the second power electronics module (416) (410) is coupled to a first side (500) of the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), and the fourth power electronics module is coupled to a second side (502) of the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), wherein the second side (502) is opposite to the first side (500).

4. The assembly (400) of claim 1, wherein the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) is a first heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), and wherein the channel is a first channel (606), and wherein the assembly (400) further comprises: include: a second heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) coupled to the first power electronics module (414) (408), wherein the second heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) defines a second channel (612) configured to receive a first portion of the fluid of the fluid cooling system (600) (610); as well as A third heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) is coupled to the second power electronic module (416) (410), wherein the third heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) defines a third channel (618) configured to receive a second portion of the fluid of the fluid cooling system (600) (610).

5. The assembly (400) of claim 4, wherein the first heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) include: a cooling system (600) input port (619) (613) (608) coupled to the first channel (606) and the fluid cooling system (600) (610), the cooling system (600) input port (619) (613) (608) being configured to receive fluid from the fluid cooling system (600) (610); a first cooling system (600) output port (614) coupled to the first channel (606) and configured to supply the first portion of the fluid to the second channel (612) via a first tube (616); as well as A second cooling system (600) output port (620) is coupled to the first channel (606) and is configured to supply the second portion of the fluid to the third channel (618) via a second tube (622).

6. The assembly (400) according to claim 5, further comprising: include: a main cooling system (600) output port (628) coupled to the fluid cooling system (600) (610), the main cooling system (600) output port (628) being configured to return the fluid to the fluid cooling system (600) (610), wherein the second radiator assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) comprises a third cooling system (600) output port (624) coupled to the second channel (612), wherein the third cooling system (600) output port (624) is coupled to the main cooling system (600) output port (628) via a third pipe (626), and The third radiator assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) includes a fourth cooling system (600) output port (630) coupled to the third channel (618), wherein the fourth cooling system (600) output port (630) is coupled to the main cooling system (600) output port (628) via a fourth pipe (632).

7. The assembly (400) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first DC / DC converter (404)(402)(304)(200) and the second DC / DC converter (404)(402)(304)(200) is a dual active bridge DC / DC converter (404)(402)(304)(200).

8. The assembly (400) of claim 1 for use in combination with a battery-powered machine (100).

9. The assembly (400) of claim 8, wherein the battery-powered machine (100) is an electric mining truck.

10. A method (800) of assembling two DC / DC converters in a housing (700) shared by the two DC / DC converters, the method (800) include: Mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) to a heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406); Mechanically coupling a power electronics module of a second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) to the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406); as well as The first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) and the second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) are positioned within the housing (700) shared by the first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) and the second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200).

11. The method (800) according to claim 10, wherein a power electronics module of a first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) is mechanically coupled to a heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) include: mechanically coupling the power electronics module of the first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) to a first side (500) of the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), and Wherein mechanically coupling the power electronics module of the second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) to the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) comprises: A power electronics module of the second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) is mechanically coupled to a second side (502) of the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), wherein the second side (502) is opposite to the first side (500).

12. The method (800) of claim 10, wherein the heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406) is a first heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), the method (800) further comprising: include: A channel is defined in the first heat sink assembly (400)(604)(602)(406), wherein the channel is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid cooling system (600)(610).

13. The method (800) according to claim 12, further comprising: include: Mechanically coupling the power electronics module of the first DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) to a second heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406); as well as The power electronics module of the second DC / DC converter (404) (402) (304) (200) is mechanically coupled to a third heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406).

14. The method (800) of claim 13, wherein the channel is a first channel (606), the method (800) further comprising: include: defining a second passage (612) in the second heat sink assembly (400)(604)(602)(406), wherein the second passage (612) is configured to receive a first portion of the fluid of the fluid cooling system (600)(610); and A third passage (618) is defined in the third heat sink assembly (400) (604) (602) (406), wherein the third passage (618) is configured to receive a second portion of the fluid of the fluid cooling system (600) (610).

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