US 12,189,443 B2
Thermal regulation and protection for power electronic components
Zhe Li, Gimpo (KR); and Rafael Antonio Garcia Mora, Villach (AT)
Assigned to Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg (DE)
Filed by Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg (DE)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/065,547.
Claims priority of application No. 102021134028.4 (DE), filed on Dec. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0195189 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 1/20 (2006.01); G06F 1/28 (2006.01); H02M 1/32 (2007.01); H03K 17/08 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/206 (2013.01) [G06F 1/28 (2013.01); G06F 2200/201 (2013.01); H02M 1/327 (2021.05); H03K 2017/0806 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a power electronic system including a semiconductor switch, the power electronic system comprising a rated maximum power and a maximum rated temperature;
a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the semiconductor switch;
a cooling system thermally coupled to the power electronic system and configured to carry heat away from the power electronic system using a cooling agent; and
a controller configured to:
receive information indicating a sensed temperature of the semiconductor switch and a temperature of the cooling agent;
based on a determination that the temperature of the cooling agent is less than a first temperature threshold:
determine, based on the temperature of the cooling agent, a second threshold temperature that is less than the maximum rated temperature;
based on a determination that the sensed temperature of the semiconductor switch is less than the second threshold temperature, determine, based on the temperature of the cooling agent, a target value for the power electronic system that is greater than the rated maximum power;
based on a determination that the sensed temperature of the semiconductor switch is greater than the second threshold temperature, set the target value for the power electronic system to the rated maximum power; and
adjust a power of the power electronic system by controlling a switching operation of the semiconductor switch to the target value.