Integration technologies for high power density power electronic converters for AC drives

It is widely recognized that significant energy savings could be expected through a widespread use of variable speed drives in motor driven systems. In order to widely implement this concept, the size and cost of the power electronics in drives are the key factors. One of the demonstrator programs of European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE) is focussing on achieving high power densities in converters for AC drives in the power range of a few kilowatts. The general approach in the program is based on two concepts integration and advanced thermal management. This paper focuses on the integration technologies aspect of this program. State-of-the-art commercially available converters in AC drives are constructed by using similar technologies. In this paper some new technologies that can be used to construct high power density converters are presented. The benefits of these technologies when compared to conventional solutions, such as size, losses and cost are discussed