Patent ID: 7692923

Claim:
A power converter comprising: a first power semiconductor module including a first switching device; a second power semiconductor module including a second switching device; a cooling structure which includes a first cooling path, a second cooling path arranged substantially parallel to the first cooling path, and a connector which connects the first cooling path and the second cooling path; a capacitor module which filters DC electric power inputted into the first power semiconductor module and the second power semiconductor module; a DC bus bar for electrically connecting the capacitor module, the first power semiconductor module, and the second power semiconductor module; wherein; the capacitor module is disposed between the first cooling path and the second cooling path, and has a first contact surface with the first cooling path and a second contact surface with the second cooling path; the first power semiconductor module is fixed to the first cooling path, and the first switching device is installed so that a principal plane of the first switching device is substantially parallel to the first contact surface; the second power semiconductor module is fixed to the second cooling path, and the second switching device is installed so that a principal plane of the second switching device is substantially parallel to the second contact surface; the length of the first cooling path in a direction perpendicular to the first contact surface is shorter than its length in a height direction, the length of the second cooling path in a direction perpendicular to the second contact surface is shorter than its length in a height direction, and the DC bus bar electrically connects the first power semiconductor module, the second power semiconductor module, and the capacitor module, adjacent the first cooling path and the second cooling path.