IXYS Corporation (Nasdaq:SYXI), Santa Clara, Calif., has announced
that its wholly owned subsidiary, Westcode Semiconductors Limited, has
launched a new concept in Phase Control Thyristors called Wespack(TM).
Wespack(TM) represents the first of a new range of novel low profile,
fully hermetic press-pack capsule devices that are compatible with
existing mechanical designs for high power applications. Wespack(TM)
dramatically increases power density, while reducing the weight and cost
versus conventional ceramic thyristor packaging.
The first Wespack(TM) devices, the N2593MK180 and N2367MK220 are
respectively 1800V and 2200V rated thyristors, with current ratings of
2593A and 2367A. Wespack thyristors are encapsulated in a hermetic, 50mm
(2") diameter pole face, press-pack package, while incorporating
design features that diverge from conventional package design.
Traditional ceramic package design is too conservative, relying on out
of date conventions not reflecting applications and operating conditions
for modern power electronics systems. For those applications within
equipment enclosures with line voltages up to 690V, traditional design
specifications for creep and strike distance are redundant, adding cost
and weight to system components such as thyristors. By optimizing the
thyristor package design in Wespack(TM) for these applications, Westcode
is able to offer a thyristor requiring 25% less space with 25% of the
weight of traditional components by optimizing assembly and maximizing
the silicon content.
Wespack(TM) offers the maximum current rating and lowest thermal
resistance for weight and volume without compromising on quality and
reliability. A Wespack phase control thyristor from IXYS offers a cost
effective and space saving alternative to conventional designs -- more
power, less package. The Wespack(TM) outline is capable of meeting the
requirements of clearances and creepage distances for all electrical
equipment, and offers over three times the power to weight ratio of a
traditional TO-200 style housing of the same current rating. The
N2593MK180 and N2367MK220 weigh in at only 260grams (0.57 lbs) compared
to 1kg (2.2 lbs) for a similarly rated device in a TO-200 type outline
and reducing the weight of a typical 3 phase bridge by 4.4kg (9.68 lbs).
Improved power density and assembly with Wespack(TM) enable significant
cost savings versus TO-200 style devices of similar voltage and current.
The new Wespack(TM) thyristor slim line package is 14mm
(0.55") thick, optimising the thermal path from silicon to cooling
system. The hermetic ceramic package is suitable for all cooling options
including forced air, liquid, plus total immersion systems such as oil
and fluoroinert. The lower profile of the package allows for a much more
compact subassembly increasing realizable power for a given volume and
weight. In forced air systems, the reduced component height allows the
cooling fins to be brought closer together, thus reducing wasted air
flow and increasing the flow where it is need in the fins.
The N2593MK180 and N2367MK220 represent the first in a new product
range from IXYS. Wespack(TM) thyristors are suited to all phase control
applications such as soft starts, industrial drives and controls, wind
power converters, electrochemical power supplies, and welding. Further
introductions will include a 1400V device in the same 50mm (2")
pole face housing. Two further packages sizes of 38mm (1.5") and
68mm (2.7") diameter pole faces and a slim line 14mm thick profile
are also planned for later this year in three voltage classes -- 1400V,
1800V and 2200V.
For more information, visit http://www.westcode.com or call
408/982-0700.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Worldwide
Videotex Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Copyright 2005, Gale Group. All rights
reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.