Patent ID: 8488315

Claim:
A manifold for supporting a power module assembly with a plurality of power modules, including first and second power modules, the manifold comprising: a first manifold section comprising a first face and a second face, the first face of the first manifold section receiving the first power module, the second face of the first manifold section defining a first cavity with a first baseplate thermally coupled to the first power module; and a second manifold section comprising a first face and a second face, the first face of the second manifold section receiving the second power module, the second face of the second manifold section defining a second cavity with a second baseplate thermally coupled to the second power module, the second face of the first manifold section and the second face of the second manifold section being coupled together such that the first cavity of the first manifold section and the second cavity of the second manifold section form a coolant channel, the first cavity of the first manifold section being at least partially staggered with respect to second cavity of the second manifold section, wherein the plurality of power modules further include a third power module, and wherein the second face of the first manifold section defines a third cavity with a third baseplate thermally coupled to the third power module, the third cavity of the first manifold forming a portion of the coolant channel such that coolant is directed from the first cavity of the first manifold section, to the second cavity of the second manifold section, and to the third cavity of the first manifold section.