A Novel Electronic Cooling Concept

Advanced electrical power conditioning systems for the More Electric Aircraft Initiative involve high currents and high voltages with the attendant waste heat generation and cooling problems. The use of solid state switching devices such as MCTs for these systems will result in power dissipation of several hundred Watts per square centimeter. Conventional forced air or low velocity single phase fluid cooling is inadequate to handle the waste heat dissipation of these high power devices. More advanced and innovative methods of cooling which can use fluids available in the aircraft and also easy to package are sought. A new approach called “venturi flow cooling concept” is described. It is shown that localized cooling up to 200 W/cm² is possible at the venturi throat region where the MCTs can be mounted. PAO coolant with Pr = 56 at 40°C can be conveniently used in aircraft.