Patent Abstract:
A detachable high powered electronic module of a high powered electronic system capable of receiving high power is disclosed. In one embodiment, the detachable high powered electronic includes a sub-array of the high powered electronic module a heat exchanger assembly, a power converter module, and a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface is configured to detachably couple the sub-array and the power converter module via the heat exchanger assembly. Further, the detachable sub-array assembly is configured to deliver power received from the power converter module to the sub-array and also to substantially simultaneously extract heat away from the detachable sub-array.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims rights under 35 USC §119(e) from U.S. Application 61/847,678 filed Jul. 18, 2013 and corresponding U.S. Applications 61/847,677 filed Jul. 18, 2013 and 61/847,682 filed Jul. 18, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to high powered electronic module and more particularly to detachable interface for high powered electronic module. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Typically, heat exchangers do not provide direct current (DC) power to high powered electronic modules. Instead additional large connectors are used to provide the DC power to the high powered electronic modules. Generally, electrical connection to other parts or the power electronic system is made by screw contacts, pin contacts (soldered onto a PCB), press-fit contacts pressed into PCB vias, spring contacts that inherently press on contact are of a PCB and/or by pure pressure contact where corrosion-proof surface areas are directly pressed together. This may result in sacrificing heat exchange area, which in turn may result in increased thermal impedance and thus further resulting in increased temperature of the high powered electronic modules. Conversely, using smaller connectors may result in decreased thermal impedance, but can result in unwanted voltage drop across pins. 
         [0006]    For example, a full aperture of a phased array radar system includes a two dimensional grid of rectangular sub-arrays mounted to an assembly that must provide both heat removal and direct current (DC) power. Typically, each of these sub-arrays requires a large amount of DC current, dissipates a large amount of power, and must be mechanically attached in a removable way. In aggregate, the two dimensional grid of rectangular sub-arrays may require over 1000 Amps of power delivered on the positive supply side voltage, with an equal amount of power returning on the Ground path. 
         [0007]    Additionally, to achieve a reliable mechanical connection, more thermal area of the sub-array may be sacrificed for incorporating removable attachment mechanisms. Further, typically, thermal, mechanical, and electrical interfaces are not shared. Furthermore, typically, these sub-am are bonded to the heat exchanger with an epoxy, making removal of a sub-array disposed in the middle of the sub-arrays very difficult and risky for nearby sub-arrays. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A detachable interface capable of delivering low voltage and high current for high powered electronic modules is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present subject matter, the system includes a high powered electronic module of a high powered electronic system, a heat exchanger assembly, a power converter module, and a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface is configured to detachably couple the high powered electronic module and the power converter module via the heat exchanges assembly. Further, the detachable high powered electronic module is configured to deliver high or low DC or AC power received from the power converter module to the high powered electronic module and also to substantially simultaneously extract heat away from the detachable high powered electronic module. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the present subject matter, the system includes a high powered electronic module, a power converter module of a high powered electronic system, and a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface is configured to detachably couple to the high powered electronic module and the power converter module via a heat exchanger assembly. Further, the detachable high powered electronic module is configured to deliver high DC power received from the power converter module to the high powered electronic module and also to substantially simultaneously extract heat away from the detachable high powered electronic module of the high powered electronic assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view of a detachable high powered electronic module for high powered electronic system including a portion of mechanical coupling that enable easier detachment from the high powered electronic system, according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of a power converter module including remaining mechanical coupling components that enable easier detachment from the high powered electronic module of the high powered electronic system, such as those shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view showing the attachment of the high powered electronic system including at least one detachable high powered electronic module and the power converter module to a heat exchanger assembly, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The exemplary embodiments described herein in detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. The present technique provides easily detachable high powered electronic module that is capable of delivering low voltage and high power while minimizing thermal impedance to a high powered electronic assembly. The above technique minimizes the thermal impedance of the thermal interface, while minimizing the impedance of the direct current (DC) connections and allowing for a simple, reliable, and removable mechanical interface/attachment. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a perspective view  100  of a detachable high powered electronic module  110  for a high powered electronic system  307  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. Further,  FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of a power converter module  200  including remaining mechanical coupling components  210  that enable easier detachment of the high powered electronic module  110  from the high powered electronic system  307 , such as those shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. Also as shown in  FIG. 2 , the power converter module  200  includes input power lugs  220  configured for receiving high voltage low current from an external supply voltage source. Furthermore,  FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the high powered electronic assembly  300  showing the attachment of the one or more detachable high powered electronic modules  110  and the power converter module  200  to a heat exchanger assembly  305 , such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the detachable high powered electronic module  100  includes a high powered electronic module  110  of the high powered electronic system  307 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that the high powered electronic system  307  can have any number of such detachable high powered electronic module  110  that could be arranged in horizontal and vertical arrays forming a matrix. Further as shown in  FIG. 1 , the detachable high powered electronic module  110  includes a mechanical interface  120  and a signal connector  130 . The signal connector  130  connects the electronic components on the high powered electronic module  110  with external electrical components. In some embodiments, the mechanical interface  120  includes a plurality of conductive fasteners configured to mechanically couple the high powered electronic module  110  and the power converter module  200  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and deliver the needed high power to the electronic components on the high powered electronic module  110  via the power converter module  200 . Exemplary plurality of conductive fasteners includes a plurality of conductive lugs/screws/posts and associated plurality of screws  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Furthermore in these embodiments, the plurality of conductive fasteners  120  is configured to deliver positive supply voltage and return the negative voltage via a ground i.e., the heat exchanger assembly and/or some of the plurality of conductive lugs  120 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the remaining mechanical components of the mechanical interface  120  include nuts  210  that are configured to receive positive power supply via the plurality of conductive lugs/fasteners  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the return power via the heat exchanger assembly  305  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Further as shown in  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the power converter module  200  is configured to receive the signal connector  130  shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the power converter module  200  is configured to be a power bus or a power converter. In these embodiments, the power bus or the power converter is capable of delivering needed high power to the mechanical interface  120  shown in  FIG. 1 . Further in these embodiments, the power is a direct current (DC) power. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows detachable high powered electronic assembly including the detachable high powered electronic module  110 , the power converter module  200 , and a heat exchanger assembly  305 . Also as shown in  FIG. 3 , the heat exchanger assembly  305  includes a heat exchanger  310 , and a coolant manifold  320 . Further as shown in  FIG. 3 , heat exchanger  310  and the coolant manifold  320  are configured  330  to receive the signal connector  130  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In these embodiments, the heat exchanger  310  and the power converter module  200  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) are configured  230  to receive the signal connector  130  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Furthermore it can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the heat exchanger assembly  305  is disposed to receive the plurality of lugs  120  and allow for the plurality of lugs  120  to also contact the power converter module  200  so as to be anchored to the heat exchanger assembly  305  and the power converter module  200 , when the plurality of lugs  120  are secured with a fastening mechanism such as the plurality of nuts  210 . In some embodiments, a conductive interface material, such as indium foil, is configured and disposed between the high powered electronic module  110  and the heat exchanger assembly  305  to allow for the around and thermal connections that can be compressed by tightening the plurality of lugs  120  with the plurality of nuts  210 . 
         [0019]    In operation, the plurality of conductive lugs  120  are configured to receive power (positive supply voltage) from the power converter module  200  via the nuts  210  and deliver it to the electronic components disposed on the high powered electronic module  110 , while providing the needed mechanical coupling between the power converter module  200 , the heat exchanger assembly  305  and the high powered electronic module  110 . Further in operating, the power converter module  200  is configured to receive the negative voltage via the heat exchanger assembly  305 . Moreover in operation, the heat exchanger assembly  305  is configured to remove the heat from the one or more high powered electronic modules  110  disposed on the high powered electronic system  307 . 
         [0020]    It can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the detachable high powered electronic module  110  allows for loosening and tightening of the plurality of conductive lugs  120  and nuts  210  (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), thereby facilitating easier removal of the high powered electronic modules  110  without causing any damage to the neighboring high powered electronic modules  110  disposed on the high powered electronic system  307 . 
         [0021]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7