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 plurality of pairs of power cards arranged in an array. Each pair has a proximal end and a distal end. The multiple pairs of power cards include a switch, a DC input, a DC output, and an AC output. The switch is configured to convert DC power to AC power. The DC input is connected to the switch and extends along the distal end from a first one of the power cards in each pair. The DC output is connected to the switch and extends along the distal end from a second one of the power cards in each pair. The AC output is connected to the switches and extends along the proximal end from a first and a second of the power cards in each pair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electric vehicles and power supply devices for electric vehicles. Background Art

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

[0003] A vehicle includes an electric motor, a battery, and an inverter. The electric motor is configured to propel the vehicle. The battery is configured to supply electrical power to the electric 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 electric motor. The inverter includes a plurality of power cards and at least one DC-side capacitor. The plurality of power cards are arranged in pairs. AC output terminals are provided along a proximal end of each power card. DC input terminals are provided along a distal end of the first one of the power cards within each pair. DC output terminals are provided along a distal end of the second one of the power cards within each pair. The pairs of power cards are arranged in an array such that the DC input terminals are linearly aligned and the DC output terminals are linearly aligned. The at least one DC-side capacitor is connected to each of the DC input terminals and each of the DC output terminals.

[0004] An inverter includes pairs of power cards arranged in an array. Each pair has a proximal end and a distal end. The pairs of power cards include switches, a DC input, a DC output, and an AC output. The switches are configured to convert DC power into AC power. The DC input is connected to the switches and extends along the distal end from the first one of the power cards within each pair. The DC output is connected to the switches and extends along the distal end from the second one of the power cards within each pair. The AC output is connected to the switches and extends along the proximal end from the first and second ones of the power cards within each pair.

[0005] An inverter includes a plurality of power cards arranged in columns and rows. Each power card includes a switch configured to convert DC power into AC power. Each column includes a DC input, a DC output, and an AC output. The DC inputs are each connected to the switches of the corresponding column and extend along a first end of the corresponding column from the first one of the power cards within the corresponding column. The DC outputs are each connected to the switches of the corresponding column and extend along the first end of the corresponding column from the second one of the power cards within the corresponding column. The AC outputs are each connected to the switches of the corresponding column and extend along a second end of the corresponding column from each of the power cards within the corresponding column. Description of the Drawings

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

[0007] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the inverter;

[0008] Figure 3 is a side view of the inverter;

[0009] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a part of the inverter;

[0010] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a part of the inverter; and

[0011] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the inverter further including a cooling manifold. Detailed Description

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of particular components. Thus, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various features shown and described in connection with any one of the figures may be combined with features shown in one or more other figures to produce embodiments not explicitly shown or described. Combinations of the features shown provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, for a particular application or implementation, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired.

[0013] Reference Figure 1, shows a circuit diagram of an inverter 10 coupled to a power source 12 and a motor 14. The inverter 10 may also be referred to as a power controller, a power module, or a power supply device. 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 electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles), the power source 12 may be a battery configured to provide electrical 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 not integral with the inverter 10. The inverter circuit system 16 and the voltage converter 17 may be configured to deliver electrical power to the motor 14.

[0014] The inverter circuit system 16 may include a switching unit 18. The switching unit 18 may be referred to as a switching circuit or a switch. Each of the switching units 18 may include a transistor 20 anti-parallel with a diode 22, such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Alternatively, other types of circuits may be used to form the switching unit 18, such as a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). A plurality of pairs 19 of the switching units 18 are arranged in series and extend between the positive DC bus 21 and the negative DC bus 23 of the power source 12. Each of the plurality of pairs 19 of the switching units 18 includes a half-bridge 19 of the inverter circuit system 16. Each half-bridge 19 of a subset 27 of the switching units 18 is connected to one phase 29 of the motor 14 via an AC bus 25. The switching units 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 at least one DC-side capacitor 24. The side capacitor 24 may be disposed between the power source 12 and the inverter circuit system 16. The side capacitor 24 also extends between the positive DC bus 21 and the negative DC bus 23 of the power source 12. The side capacitor 24 may be configured to absorb the ripple current generated at the inverter circuit system 16 or the power source 12 and stabilize the DC-side voltage Vo for the control of the inverter circuit system 16. In other words, the side capacitor 24 may be arranged to limit the voltage variation occurring at the input of the inverter circuit system 16 due to the 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 drive board 26 for controlling the inverter circuit system 16. The drive board 26 may be a gate drive board configured to operate the transistors 20 of the switching units 18 when converting the DC power from the power source 12 into AC power and delivering the AC power to the motor 14.

[0015] The drive board 26 can be a controller that is part of a larger control system and can be controlled by various other controllers, such as a vehicle system controller (VSC). Thus, it should be understood that the drive board 26 and one or more other controllers can be collectively referred to as "controllers". Such controllers can include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) that communicates with various types of computer-readable storage devices or media. The computer-readable storage devices or media can include, for example, volatile and non-volatile storage devices such as 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 devices or media can be implemented using any of a number of 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 combination memory device capable of storing data, some of which represents executable instructions used by the controller.

[0016] The control logic or functions executed by the controller can be represented by flowcharts or similar diagrams in one or more of the figures. These figures provide representative control strategies and / or logic that can be implemented using one or more processing strategies, such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multitasking, multithreading, etc. Thus, the various steps or functions shown can be executed in the order shown, executed in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Although not always explicitly shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the steps or functions shown can be repeatedly executed depending on the particular processing strategy used. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to implement the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. The control logic can be primarily implemented in software executed by a microprocessor-based controller. Of course, depending on the particular application, the control logic can be implemented in one or more controllers in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. When implemented in software, the control logic can be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media that store data representing code or instructions executed by a computer. The computer-readable storage devices or media can include one or more of a number of known physical devices that utilize electrical storage, magnetic storage, and / or optical storage to hold executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, etc.

[0017] The controller can be configured to receive various states or conditions of various components via an electrical signal. The electrical signal can be conveyed from the various components to the controller via an input channel. Additionally, the electrical signal received from the various components can indicate a request or command to change or alter the state of one or more of the corresponding components. The controller includes an output channel that is configured to convey requests or commands (via an electrical signal) to the various vehicle components. Controller 24 includes control logic and / or algorithms configured to generate requests or commands conveyed through the output channel based on requests, commands, conditions, or states of the various components.

[0018] The voltage converter 17 can include an inductor. The circuitry (not shown) of the voltage converter including the inductor can be configured to amplify or increase the voltage of the electrical power conveyed from the power source 12 to the motor 14. A fuse 28 can be provided on the DC side of the inverter circuitry 16 to protect the inverter circuitry 16 from surges in the electrical power.

[0019] The present disclosure should not be construed as limited to Figure 1 the circuit diagram of, but should include power control devices that incorporate other types of inverter circuitry, capacitors, converters, or combinations thereof. For example, the inverter circuitry 16 can be an inverter that includes any number of switching units and is not limited to Figure 1 the number of switching units depicted in. As another example, the side capacitor 24 can include a number of capacitors rather than the Figure 1 single capacitor shown in.

[0020] The solution described herein has three short AC busbars; has two simple DC busbars consisting of a simple rectangular design; has a short - circuit loop having an upper power switching device and a lower power switching device; eliminates the need for busbars including large copper sheets, thereby reducing costs; includes a simple busbar layout, thereby reducing manufacturing costs; and has a low loop inductance due to the short - circuit loop, thereby improving efficiency.

[0021] Refer to Figures 2 to 6 , which further shows the inverter 10 or portions thereof in greater detail. The inverter 10 includes a plurality of power cards 30. The power cards 30 are arranged in an array 32. The power cards 30 can also be arranged in rows 34 and columns 36. The rows 34 and columns 36 can be arranged according to the array 32. The power cards 30 can be arranged in pairs 38. Each pair 38 can correspond to one of the columns 36. Each of the power cards 30 can have a proximal end 40 and a distal end 42. The proximal end 40 and the distal end 42 can be referred to as the first end and the second end, respectively, or vice versa. The proximal end 40 and the distal end 42 can alternatively be the ends of the pairs 38 or columns 36 of the power cards 30. Each power card 30 includes circuitry (e.g., switching unit 18) configured to convert DC power into AC power.

[0022] The AC output or the AC output terminal 44 is connected to the switching unit 18. The AC output terminal 44 is disposed along and extends from the proximal end 40 of each of the power cards 30. The positive DC terminal, the DC input or the DC input terminal 46 is connected to the switching unit 18. The DC input terminal 46 is disposed along and extends from the distal end 42 of the first one of the power cards 30 within each pair 38 or each column 36 of the power cards 30. The negative DC terminal, the DC output or the DC output terminal 48 is connected to the switching unit 18. The DC output terminal 48 is disposed along and extends from the distal end 42 of the second one of the power cards 30 within each pair 38 or each column 36 of the power cards 30.

[0023] The control pin 50 is also connected to the switching unit 18. The control pin 50 is disposed along and extends from the proximal end 40 of each of the power cards 30. The control pin 50 may be connected to the drive board 26 such that the drive board 26 operates the transistor 20 of the switching unit 18 via the control pin 50 when converting DC power from the power supply 12 into AC power and delivering the AC power to the motor 14.

[0024] Each pair 38 or each column 36 of the power cards 30 may include one DC input terminal 46, one DC output terminal 48, and the AC output terminal 44 for each of the power cards 30 within the pair 38 or the column 36. The pairs 38 or columns 36 of the power cards 30 may be arranged according to the array 32 such that (i) the DC input terminals 46 extending from each of the pairs 38 or columns 36 of the power cards 30 are linearly aligned, and (ii) the DC output terminals 48 extending from each of the pairs 38 or columns 36 of the power cards 30 are linearly aligned.

[0025] The side capacitors 24 are connected to each of the DC input terminals 46 and each of the DC output terminals 48. More specifically, the side capacitors 24 (i) are connected to each of the DC input terminals 46 via the first bus bar 52, and (ii) are connected to each of the DC output terminals 48 via the second bus bar 54. The first bus bar 52 may be referred to as the positive DC bus bar, while the second bus bar 54 may be referred to as the negative DC bus bar. The first bus bar 52 may correspond to Figure 1 the positive DC bus 21 in Figure 1 and the second bus bar 54 may correspond to

[0026] The first bus bar 52 can extend linearly between the linearly aligned DC input terminals 46. The second bus bar 54 can extend linearly between the linearly aligned DC output terminals 48. The first bus bar 52 and the second bus bar 54 can be in the shape of elongate plates or strips of material. The first bus bar 52 and the second bus bar 54 can be rectangular in shape. The first bus bar 52 and the second bus bar 54 can be substantially parallel to each other. As used herein, substantially parallel means any incremental angle between perfectly parallel and deviated from perfectly parallel by 15° or less (e.g., deviated from perfectly parallel by 12.5° or less, deviated from perfectly parallel by 10° or less, or deviated from perfectly parallel by 5° or less).

[0027] Pairs 38 or columns 36 of power cards 30 are arranged as subsets 56. Each subset 56 includes at least two of pairs 38 or columns 36 of power cards 30. Each AC output terminal 44 of each power card 30 within each subset 56 of power cards 30 is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases (e.g., one phase 29 of motor 14). More specifically, each AC output terminal 44 of each power card 30 within each subset 56 of power cards 30 is connected to each other and to one of the AC phases via an AC bus bar 58. The AC bus bar 58 can be in the shape of an elongate plate or strip of material having a protruding intermediate region 60. The AC bus bar 58 can correspond to Figure 1 the AC bus 25 in

[0028] The proximal end 40 and the distal end 42 of each power card 30 face opposite directions 62, 64, respectively. Additionally, it can be considered that the proximal end 40 and the distal end 42 of each of pairs 38 or columns 36 of power cards 30 face opposite directions 62, 64, respectively. The opposite directions 62, 64 can be substantially perpendicular to the array 32. More specifically, the opposite directions 62, 64 can be substantially perpendicular to the rows 34 or substantially perpendicular to the direction 65 in which the rows 34 are arranged. As used herein, substantially perpendicular means any incremental angle between perfectly perpendicular and deviated from perfectly perpendicular by 15° or less (e.g., deviated from perfectly perpendicular by 12.5° or less, deviated from perfectly perpendicular by 10° or less, or deviated from perfectly perpendicular by 5° or less).

[0029] A cooling air duct or cooling manifold 66 is disposed around a plurality of power cards 30 such that the cooling manifold 66 contacts the outer surfaces of each of the power cards 30 except for the proximal end 40 and the distal end 42. The cooling manifold 66 includes an inlet 68 and an outlet 70 for guiding cooling fluid through the cooling manifold 66. The cooling manifold 66 is configured to cool the power cards 30 and the circuits disposed therein to ensure proper functioning. The cooling manifold 66 may include an upper air duct 72 that extends between the inlet 68 and the outlet 70 along the upper sides of the plurality of power cards 30. The cooling manifold 66 may also include a lower air duct 74 that extends between the inlet 68 and the outlet 70 along the lower sides of the plurality of power cards 30.

[0030] It should be understood that the names of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims such that they are chronological with respect to the claims. Further, it should be understood that if one or more specific components, states, or conditions are claimed, any component, state, or condition described herein without a numerical name may be given names of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims.

[0031] 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 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 the 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, one of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve the desired overall system attributes, depending on the particular application and implementation. Thus, embodiments that are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are within the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for a particular application.

[0032] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having: an electric motor configured to propel the vehicle; a battery configured to supply electrical power to the electric motor; and an inverter configured to convert DC electrical power from the battery into AC electrical power and deliver the AC electrical power to the electric motor, the inverter including (i) a plurality of power cards and (ii) at least one DC side capacitor, wherein (a) the plurality of power cards are arranged in multiple pairs, (b) AC output terminals are provided along the proximal end of each power card, (c) DC input terminals are provided along the distal end of the first of the power cards within each pair of the power cards, (d) DC output terminals are provided along the distal end of the second of the power cards within each pair of the power cards, (e) the multiple pairs of power cards are arranged in an array such that the DC input terminals are linearly aligned and the DC output terminals are linearly aligned, and (f) the at least one DC side capacitor is connected to each of the DC input terminals and each of the DC output terminals.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the inverter further includes a linearly extending DC busbar connected to (i) the DC side capacitor and (ii) one of the following: (a) each of the DC input terminals and (b) each of the DC output terminals.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the inverter further includes a second linearly extending DC busbar connected to (i) the DC side capacitor and (ii) the other of the following: (a) each of the DC input terminals and (b) each of the DC output terminals.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the linearly extending DC busbar and the second linearly extending DC busbar are substantially parallel.

[0036] According to one embodiment, (i) the multiple pairs of power cards are arranged in subsets, each subset including at least two of the multiple pairs of power cards, and (ii) each AC output terminal of each power card within each subset of the multiple pairs of power cards is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases.

[0037] According to one embodiment, (i) the proximal end and the distal end of each power card face in opposite directions, and (ii) the opposite directions are substantially perpendicular to the array.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a cooling manifold disposed around the plurality of power cards such that the cooling manifold contacts the outer surfaces of each of the power cards except for the proximal end and the distal end.

[0039] According to the present invention, an inverter is provided, the inverter having: multiple pairs of power cards arranged in an array, each pair having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the multiple pairs include: (i) switches configured to convert DC electrical power into AC electrical power; (ii) DC inputs connected to the switches and extending along the distal end from a first one of the power cards within each pair; (iii) DC outputs connected to the switches and extending along the distal end from a second one of the power cards within each pair; and (iv) AC outputs connected to the switches and extending along the proximal end from the first and the second ones of the power cards within each pair.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a linearly extending DC busbar connected to one of the following: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a second linearly extending DC busbar connected to the other of the following: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the linearly extending DC busbar and the second linearly extending DC busbar are substantially parallel.

[0043] According to one embodiment, (i) the multiple pairs of power cards are arranged in subsets, each subset including at least two of the multiple pairs of power cards, and (ii) each AC output of each power card within each subset of the multiple pairs of power cards is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases.

[0044] According to one embodiment, (i) the proximal end and the distal end of each pair of power cards face in opposite directions, and (ii) the opposite directions are substantially perpendicular to the array.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a cooling manifold disposed around the multiple pairs of power cards such that the cooling manifold contacts the outer surfaces of each of the power cards except for the proximal end and the distal end.

[0046] According to the present invention, an inverter is provided, the inverter having: a plurality of power cards arranged in columns and rows, wherein (i) each power card includes a switch configured to convert DC electrical power into AC electrical power, and (ii) each column includes: (a) a DC input connected to the switches of the corresponding column and extending along the first end of the corresponding column from a first one of the power cards within the corresponding column; (b) a DC output connected to the switches of the corresponding column and extending along the first end of the corresponding column from a second one of the power cards within the corresponding column; and (c) an AC output connected to the switches of the corresponding column and extending along the second end of the corresponding column from each of the power cards within the corresponding column.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a linearly extending DC busbar connected to one of: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a second linearly extending DC busbar connected to the other of: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs.

[0049] According to one embodiment, (i) the plurality of power cards are arranged in subsets, each subset including at least two of the plurality of columns of power cards, and (ii) each AC output of each power card within each subset of power cards is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases.

[0050] According to one embodiment, (i) the first end and the second end of each column face in opposite directions, and (ii) the opposite directions are substantially perpendicular to the column.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a cooling manifold disposed around the plurality of power cards such that the cooling manifold contacts the outer surfaces of each of the power cards except for the first end and the second end.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising: an electric motor configured to propel the vehicle; a battery configured to supply electrical power to the electric motor; and an inverter configured to convert DC electrical power from the battery into AC electrical power and deliver the AC electrical power to the electric motor, the inverter including (i) a plurality of power cards and (ii) at least one DC-side capacitor, wherein (a) the plurality of power cards are arranged in pairs, (b) AC output terminals are provided along a proximal end of each power card, (c) DC input terminals are provided along a distal end of a first one of the power cards within each pair of the power cards, (d) DC output terminals are provided along a distal end of a second one of the power cards within each pair of the power cards, (e) the pairs of power cards are arranged in an array such that the DC input terminals are linearly aligned and the DC output terminals are linearly aligned, and (f) the at least one DC-side capacitor is connected to each of the DC input terminals and each of the DC output terminals.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the inverter further includes a linearly extending DC busbar connected to (i) the DC-side capacitor and (ii) one of each of the following: (a) each of the DC input terminals and (b) each of the DC output terminals.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the inverter further includes a second linearly extending DC busbar connected to (i) the DC-side capacitor and (ii) the other of each of the following: (a) each of the DC input terminals and (b) each of the DC output terminals.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the linearly extending DC busbar and the second linearly extending DC busbar are substantially parallel.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein (i) the pairs of power cards are arranged in subsets, each subset including at least two of the pairs of power cards, and (ii) each AC output terminal of each power card within each subset of the pairs of power cards is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein (i) the proximal end and the distal end of each power card face in opposite directions, and (ii) the opposite directions are substantially perpendicular to the array.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, further including a cooling manifold disposed around the plurality of power cards such that the cooling manifold contacts an outer surface of each of the power cards except for the proximal end and the distal end.

8. An inverter, comprising: A plurality of pairs of power cards arranged in an array, each pair having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of pairs includes: (i) a switch configured to convert DC electrical power into AC electrical power; (ii) a DC input connected to the switch and extending along the distal end from a first one of the power cards within each pair; (iii) a DC output connected to the switch and extending along the distal end from a second one of the power cards within each pair; and (iv) an AC output connected to the switch and extending along the proximal end from the first and second ones of the power cards within each pair.

9. The inverter according to claim 8, further comprising: A linearly extending DC busbar connected to one of the following: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs; And A second linearly extending DC busbar connected to the other of the following: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs.

10. The inverter according to claim 9, wherein the linearly extending DC busbar and the second linearly extending DC busbar are substantially parallel.

11. The inverter according to claim 8, wherein (i) the plurality of pairs of power cards are arranged in subsets, each subset including at least two of the plurality of pairs of power cards, and (ii) each AC output of each power card within each subset of the plurality of pairs of power cards is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases.

12. The inverter according to claim 8, wherein (i) the proximal end and the distal end of each pair of power cards face in opposite directions, and (ii) the opposite directions are substantially perpendicular to the array.

13. An inverter comprising: A plurality of power cards arranged in columns and rows, wherein (i) each power card includes a switch configured to convert DC electrical power into AC electrical power, and (ii) each column includes: (a) a DC input connected to the switch of the corresponding column and extending along a first end of the corresponding column from a first one of the power cards within the corresponding column; (b) a DC output connected to the switch of the corresponding column and extending along the first end of the corresponding column from a second one of the power cards within the corresponding column; and (c) an AC output connected to the switch of the corresponding column and extending along a second end of the corresponding column from each of the power cards within the corresponding column.

14. The inverter according to claim 13, further comprising: A linearly extending DC busbar connected to one of the following: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs; And A second linearly extending DC busbar, the second linearly extending DC busbar being connected to another one of: (i) each of the DC inputs and (ii) each of the DC outputs.

15. The inverter according to claim 13, wherein (i) the plurality of power cards are arranged in subsets, each subset including at least two of the plurality of columns of power cards, and (ii) each AC output of each power card within each subset of the power cards is connected to one of a plurality of AC phases.

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