Transient and steady-state 3-D electro-thermal design and analysis of the rotating power electronic IGBT converter

This paper deals with a 3-dimensional development of a thermal model of a power electronic converter mounted on the generator shaft and rotating with it. The dimensions of the heat sink are determined and the temperature gradients of the converter, its heat sink, and shaft during natural and forced convection are analyzed for variable rotor speeds. It is shown that the chosen sizes of the IGBT and heat sink offers compact design of the rotating converter, which is sufficient for its mounting in the limited space, offered by the generator shaft. Furthermore, transient temperature profile is also presented.