Variable frequency drive heat sink assembly

A variable frequency drive heat sink assembly comprising:

• a variable frequency drive module;
• a housing defining an interior chamber for enclosing the variable frequency drive and defining a flow channel exterior to said interior housing,
• a heat sink structure disposed in conductive heat transfer relationship with said interior chamber and having a heat transfer surface positioned within the exterior flow channel;
• and
• a fan in operative association with said housing for passing a flow of cooling air through the exterior flow channel across and over the heat transfer surface of the heat sink structure;
• wherein the heat transfer surface comprises a plurality of external heat transfer fins extending outwardly from said housing into the flow channel of the housing;
• wherein the plurality of external heat transfer fins have an arcuate contour in longitudinal expanse.

A method for cooling a power electronics module comprising:

• providing a housing defining an interior chamber for enclosing the power electronics module and defining a flow channel exterior to said interior chamber;
• providing a heat sink structure having an external heat transfer surface, wherein the heat transfer surface comprises a plurality of external heat transfer fins extending outwardly from said housing into the flow channel of the housing, the plurality of external heat transfer fins have an arcuate contour in longitudinal expanse;
• disposing the external heat transfer surface of the heat sink structure in conductive heat exchange relationship with the interior chamber;
• and
• passing a cooling air flow through the flow channel across and over the external heat transfer surface thereby removing heat from the interior chamber through the external heat transfer surface while isolating the power electronics module from the flow of cooling air.