High Power Semiconductor Assemblies

Power Semiconductors Integrated with Heatsinks, Liquid-Cooled Chill Blocks, Fans, Blowers, Clamps and/or Controller Boards.

The mounting of high power semiconductors requires a clamp that is capable of reliably exerting a force specified by the semiconductor manufacturer.  The force applied by the clamp minimizes both electrical and thermal resistance by insuring the semiconductor is mounted in intimate contact with the heatsink and bus bars, allowing the circuit to operate as designed. 

Clamps manufactured by Applied Power Systems, Inc. (APS) have been designed to meet the requirements of all semiconductor manufacturers and to insure maximum performance from the power semiconductors.  APS also produces a complete line of off-the-shelf air-cooled and liquid-cooled heatsinks.  In addition, APS offers a complete line of high power semiconductor assemblies in all the popular circuit configurations for quick delivery.

Advantages of APS clamps:
* Accurate and rugged force gauge to properly load press pack semiconductors.
* Center loaded force application.
* Complete range of force levels from 1000 pounds to over 20,000 pounds to allow for semiconductors of 100 mm or greater in diameter.
* A full line of standard air and liquid cooled heatsinks.
* Design facilities available for special requirements.

The most efficient way to remove heat from a large area semiconductor (>23mm silicon diameter) is to package it into a flat circular package that allows heat and current to flow from both the anode and cathode of the device with as little thermal and electrical resistance as possible.  This type of package is called by many names, hockey puck, press pack, flat pack and disc. From a user’s point of view, it is the most difficult package to use since it not only requires two heat sinks (anode and cathode) but also requires a clamp to hold the assembly together and to apply sufficient force to minimize the thermal and electrical resistance.  The proper clamping force ensures optimum electrical and thermal connections to the device. In addition, the method used to tighten and accurately gauge the applied force is not trivial.  Over tightening, under tightening and/or not maintaining a parallel force on the pole face of the device often leads to premature device failure.  The APS clamp design provides solutions to these problems.

The clamping force applied to the semiconductor pole faces is critical and must adhere to manufacturers specifications.  It is also necessary for the clamping force to be applied evenly across the entire surface of both pole faces and normal to the pole face plane of the assembled devices.  The clamp must apply the force evenly across the pole faces and not cause mechanical stress to be transferred to the semiconductor element over the entire temperature range to which the assembly will be exposed.  Stress caused by non-perpendicular application of the clamp can cause a number of problems including cracking the semiconductor element, current crowding which may cause excessive hot spots on the semiconductor, poor thermal conduction which may cause overheating of the semiconductor, etc.  Properly designed and installed disc clamps will provide good electrical contact and a low thermal resistance.

Below are examples of Power Semiconductor Assemblies designed and manufactured by APS using both standard and custom heatsinks and clamps.

Click on each one to view several examples.