Title :
Evolution of IGBT converters for mass transit applications
Author :
Bakran, M.M. ; Eckel, H.-G.
Author_Institution :
Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany
Abstract :
Since its invention in the early 1980s the IGBT has become the dominant power semiconductor in converters for mass transit applications. The paper describes the evolution of converter technology from special circuit configurations up to today´s standard. The special requirements on high power IGBTs for traction are given with respect to electrical characteristics and above all load cycle capability. Various cooling systems, natural cooling, forced air cooling and water cooling compete and differ in converter output power but also in exploiting the thermal load cycle due to differing thermal capacitance. Here they are compared with respect to their performance in mass transit applications. In the end a comparison on basic system aspects involving converter control is given
Keywords :
cooling; insulated gate bipolar transistors; invertors; railways; rapid transit systems; traction; IGBT converters; converter output power; cooling systems; forced air cooling; high power IGBT; load cycle capability; mass transit applications; natural cooling; thermal capacitance; thermal load cycle; traction; voltage source inverters; water cooling; Capacitance; Circuits; Control systems; Cooling; Electric variables; Insulated gate bipolar transistors; Paper technology; Power generation; Thermal force; Thermal loading;
Conference_Titel :
Industry Applications Conference, 2000. Conference Record of the 2000 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Rome
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-6401-5
DOI :
10.1109/IAS.2000.882142
