Patent ID: 7289343

Claim:
A power converter, comprising: at least two switch modules, each of the switch modules comprising: a housing of an electrically insulative side wall forming an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing open to the exterior at a first end and at a second end; a conductive member partially received by the side wall of the housing, the conductive member comprising an exterior portion extending into the exterior from the housing and a perimeter portion forming a shelf extending into the interior of the housing; a conductive base plate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface; at least one power terminal electrically coupled to the conductive base plate to conduct electrical current therebetween; and a number of semiconductor switches each comprising a first active terminal, a second active terminal and a control terminal, the first one of the active terminals of each of the semiconductor switches surface mounted to the first surface of the conductive base plate, wherein the conductive base plate is coupled to the housing such that the first surface of the conductive base plate closes the opening at the second end of the housing and the semiconductor switches are disposed in the interior of the housing and the second surface of the conductive base plate is exposed to the exterior of the housing to transfer heat from the housing, wherein the at least one power terminal of a first one of the switch modules is electrically coupled to the conductive member of a second one of the switch modules.