Axially extending electric machine electronics cooling tower

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 wall extending about the package central axis to define a radially inner wall surface and a radially outer wall surface, the radially inner wall surface defining an axially extending air passage through the cooling tower, the air passage having an inlet proximate the first axial end, and
• a plurality of spaced metallic ribs in conductive thermal communication with the radially inner wall surface, the ribs traversing the air passage;
• and
• a plurality of power electronics devices attached in conductive thermal communication to the cooling tower at circumferentially distributed positions on the radially outer wall surface;
• wherein the cooling tower provides a heat sink for heat loss from the power electronics devices, and a primary cooling path for each power electronics device extends radially inwardly to the cooling tower therefrom.