TAPIR (compacT and modulAr Power modules with IntegRated cooling) Technology: Goals and Challenges

This paper deals with a new compact and modular technology for power module, with integrated cooling to reduce the global weight/volume of power converters by optimizing the volume of the heat sink. It is based on the modular assembly of elementary switching cells. First the technology is introduced by only focusing on thermal aspects. Then the multiphysics design of elementary switching cells is described. Finally, various aspects concerning the fabrication and design of global power modules are discussed.