Drawout Power Module With Isolated Thermosiphon Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor power modules face contamination from external air, which can damage sensitive electronics due to the design allowing air to flow across both the heatsink and other components, and the difficulty in removing large, heavy power modules for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A drawout power module system with an environmentally sealable chamber and module securing arms that create a sealed air pathway, preventing external contaminants from reaching the electronics and facilitating easy removal with a hingedly connected support tray and guide tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is drawn from outside the cabinet across the heatsink to cool electronic components, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but electronic components become contaminated with dust and debris from external air
Solution Approach 1:
The power module is divided into two separate sealed chambers: a first chamber containing electronic components and a second chamber containing the heatsink. This segmentation allows each chamber to be independently sealed and positioned, enabling the heatsink chamber to interface with external air for cooling while the electronics chamber remains protected from contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The heatsink acts as an intermediary thermal transfer device between the electronic components and the external environment. Heat is conducted from the electronics through a thermal interface to the heatsink, which then dissipates heat to external air, allowing thermal coupling while maintaining physical and contaminant isolation.
2Reliability
If power modules are designed with fixed mounting to ensure stability, then reliability is improved, but maintenance and removal become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The power module incorporates movable mounting arms with locking mechanisms that can dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states. When locked, the module is securely fixed for stable operation; when unlocked, the module can be easily removed for maintenance, providing adaptability between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arms utilize cam surfaces with curved geometries that provide mechanical advantage during the locking and unlocking process. The cam-shaped engagement surfaces allow for smooth transition between locked and unlocked positions, reducing the force required for module removal while maintaining secure fixation during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents contamination of electronic components by isolating them from external air and simplifies the removal process of power modules, enhancing reliability and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
self-cooled drawout power modules with isolated thermosiphon heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger may be of the type known as a thermosiphon heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to an improved mechanical arrangement of a drawout power module system that prevents outside contaminants from being deposited on the electronic components in the power module. A need exists for an improved mechanical arrangement of a power module and cabinet that would prevent the contaminants from outside of the cabinet from being deposited on the electronic components in the power module. To that end, the outdoor drive may include a cabinet with an air intake and an air outlet located on said cabinet and in fluid communication with an interior space of said cabinet, wherein said cabinet is configured to receive a power module within said interior space. The power module may include an environmentally sealable chamber where outside air can enter and exit only said environmentally sealable chamber of said power module.