Patent ID: 7149064

Claim:
A power conversion system comprising: first and second bus bars capable of being coupled respectively to first and second power lines; third and fourth bus bars capable of being coupled respectively to first and second load terminals; first and second switching devices coupled between the first and third bus bars and between the second and fourth bus bars, respectively; third and fourth switching devices coupled between the first and third bus bars and between the second and fourth bus bars, respectively, wherein when the third switching device is closed the first and third bus bars are shunted to one another, and when the fourth switching device is closed the second and fourth bus bars are shunted to one another; at least one intermediate portion to which the first and second switching devices are respectively attached; and a first mass to which the at least one intermediate portion is attached, wherein at least a majority of the heat generated by the first and second switching devices is transferred to the first mass by way of the at least one intermediate portion, and wherein the first mass has a heat capacity that is sufficient to at least temporarily store substantially all of the heat energy transferred to it from both of the first and second switching devices.