Electric power converter, such as an electric motor drive for driving an electric motor and method for operating the electric motor drive
US12274038B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2022 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K7/20927
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention is directed at an electric power converter, such as an electric motor drive for driving an electric motor. The converter includes a cooling system with a heat sink for dissipating thermal energy generated by the converter and with coolant flow means for cooling the heat sink, first measuring means for measuring the coolant inlet temperature, second measuring means for measuring the heat sink temperature, estimating means for estimating the thermal energy transferred to the heat sink, wherein the converter is provided for estimating the thermal resistance of the heat sink based on the measured temperatures and the estimated thermal energy transferred to the heat sink, for comparing the estimated thermal resistance to reference values and for outputting a signal, if the difference between the estimated thermal resistance and the reference values exceeds a threshold value. The invention is also directed at a method for operating the electric power converter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.