Passive Two-Phase Cooling of Automotive Power Electronics: Preprint

Conference · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/SEMI-THERM.2014.6892216· OSTI ID:1150182

Moreno, G.; Jeffers, J. R.; Narumanchi, S.; Bennion, K.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of a passive two-phase cooling strategy as a means of cooling automotive power electronics. The proposed cooling approach utilizes an indirect cooling configuration to alleviate some reliability concerns and to allow the use of conventional power modules. An inverter-scale proof-of-concept cooling system was fabricated, and tests were conducted using the refrigerants hydrofluoroolefin HFO-1234yf and hydrofluorocarbon HFC-245fa. Results demonstrated that the system can dissipate at least 3.5 kW of heat with 250 cm3 of HFC-245fa. An advanced evaporator design that incorporates features to improve performance and reduce size was conceived. Simulation results indicate its thermal resistance can be 37% to 48% lower than automotive dual side cooled power modules. Tests were also conducted to measure the thermal performance of two air-cooled condensers--plain and rifled finned tube designs. The results combined with some analysis were then used to estimate the required condenser size per operating conditions and maximum allowable system (i.e., vapor and liquid) temperatures.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicle Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1150182
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-5400-61083
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
POWER ELECTRONICS
THERMAL MANAGEMENT
TWO-PHASE HEAT TRANSFER
Transportation