Applications of vaporizable dielectric fluid cooling for IGBT power semiconductors

Abstract

Liquid cooling concepts for power electronics applications have historically used single-phase water/glycol mixtures or deionized water as a primary coolant. Engineered dielectric liquids such as perfluorinated fluorocarbons and fluoroketones are also used, especially in power semiconductor applications for traction and for semiconductor testing, relying on sensible heat transport via a single-phase mechanically pumped loop. Common dielectric fluids such as refrigerants used as coolants in mechanically-pumped two-phase systems have recently been commercialized for cooling IGBT semiconductors in power electronics. Comparative performance data is described. Advanced cooling systems can impact power semiconductor performance, electronic system cost, system volume, and electrical architecture.