High temperature environment capable motor controller

A method of cooling motor controller components in an environment at a high maximum environmental temperature, the method comprising:

• enclosing in a chassis with a finned surface:
• a first electronic component rated at a first rating temperature significantly higher than the environmental temperature;
• and
• a second electronic component rated at a second rating temperature lower than a maximum environmental temperature;
• passively dissipating heat from the first electronic component by mounting the first electronic component on the finned surface;
• and
• actively drawing heat from the second electronic component with a heat pump via thermally conductive posts and a thermal spreader, and expelling heat from the heat pump into the finned surface.

A cooling system for a motor controller controlling an aircraft engine actuator, the cooling system comprising:

• a chassis located on or near the aircraft engine actuator, and having a finned surface;
• an insulator surrounding the chassis except near the finned surface;
• a first electronic component rated for a temperature higher than a typical operating environmental temperature near the chassis, and mounted inside the chassis on the finned surface;
• a second electronic component rated for a temperature lower than the operating environmental temperature, and supported within the chassis by thermally conductive posts;
• a heat pump mounted within the chassis on the finned surface;
• and
• a thermal spreader which distributes heat from the thermally conductive posts substantially evenly across the heat pump, such that the heat pump draws heat from the second electronic component via the thermally conductive posts and the thermal spreader, and expels heat via the finned surface.