A Compact 5-nH One-Phase-Leg SiC Power Module for a 600V-60A-40W/cc Inverter

Abstract

We have developed a small-volume, high-power-output inverter with a high output power density using SiC power devices. To fully utilize the advantages of SiC power devices, it is necessary to reduce the inductance of the power module. This is done by using a double-layer ceramic substrate, attaining a low inductance of 5 nH. A double pulse test was carried out up to 60 A under a DC voltage of 600 V. The low inductance greatly reduced the surge voltage and the oscillation at the switching transient. The SiC inverter unit with a volume of 250 cc was assembled using three power modules. The cooling performance of the inverter unit was evaluated at a loss equivalent to an output power of 10 kW, and it was found that the inverter unit can output 10 kW at a junction temperature (Tj) of about 200 ºC.

Wide Bandgap Technologies and Their Implications on Miniaturizing Power Electronic Systems

“…An excellent example of these strategies is shown in [60], where the authors report a 600 V, 60-A SiC JFET half bridge module. The authors report simulated and measured values of module inductance between 4.5 and 9.5 nH, depending on method.…”

High Junction Temperature and Low Parasitic Inductance Power Module Technology for Compact Power Conversion Systems

“…The middle conductor, positioned at the closest distance just under the top conductors, carries the back current of the top track principal current in the opposite direction. This flattened current proximity antiparallel carrying configuration of the back and forth principal current makes it electromagnetically possible to reduce L lp dramatically [18]. To be more technically exact, currents with an identical rate of change but of a reverse sign are carried in the top and the middle conductor tracks in all switching transients.…”

“…Fig. 9(a) shows a conceptual cross section drawing of the critical part of our proposed phase-leg module [18]. The module is structured with high-and low-side power devices soldered on the top conductor track of a triple-conductor double-ceramic layered substrate [ Fig.…”

“…10 is composed of three main sections: 1) power switching core [18]; 2) bottom finned base plate [18]; and 3) top mixed-use assembly.…”

40 kW/L High Switching Frequency Three-Phase AC 400 V All-SiC Inverter

“…In this paper, we demonstrate the OPD of the newly designed inverter [1] evaluated from a continuous switching test and actual loading test using a 3-phase induction motor.…”