Centrally located control electronics for electric machine

An electronic package adapted for connection to a rear frame member of an electric machine, the electronic package comprising:

• a cooling tower having opposite first and second axial ends spaced along a package central axis, the cooling tower comprising:
• a metallic first wall extending about the package central axis to define a radially inner first wall surface and a radially outer first wall surface, the radially inner first wall surface defining an axially extending air flow passage through the cooling tower, the air flow passage having an inlet for cooling air proximate the first axial end, and
• a plurality of spaced metallic ribs in conductive thermal communication with the radially inner first wall surface, the ribs traversing the air flow space;
• a plurality of power electronics devices in conductive thermal communication with the cooling tower and secured to the radially outer first wall surface at circumferentially distributed positions about the package axis, whereby the cooling tower provides a heat sink for heat loss from the power electronics devices;
• and
• electronic control circuitry operatively connected to the power electronics devices, the electronic control circuitry substantially surrounded by the plurality of power electronics devices.