Dana Holding Corporation, a global leader in the supply of
highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies, has announced
the introduction of a new aluminum cooling technology for electric and hybrid
vehicles.
Dana technologies improve the efficiency and performance of
vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving three primary markets – passenger
vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway equipment – Dana provides the
world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product
and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing,
and distribution facilities.
The company is utilising the efficiency of aluminum in its long
brand of integrated cooling plates that enhance heat transfer of insulated gate
bipolar transistor (IGBT) switches. This
latest addition to Dana's thermal-management portfolio provides customers with
optimised, compact cooling components to address the high-heat, high-power
demands of electric and hybrid vehicles.
This technology has been developed to limit the maximum
temperature of the IGBT junction in a compact design, providing customers with
a clean, lightweight, recyclable, and cost-effective solution that offers
superior heat transfer and cooling abilities.
Furthermore, by utilising the company's proprietary fluxless
brazing process, Dana is able to produce cooling solutions that are
exceptionally clean and flux-free, minimising coolant contamination to maintain
low conductivity in the power electronics cooling circuit. With their efficient attributes, Dana's IGBT
cooling solutions improve the ability of automotive electronics engineers to transfer
high power between batteries and motors.
"Both OEMs and suppliers are constantly looking at
different materials and technologies in order to meet the ever changing needs
of the automotive industry," said Dwayne Matthews, president of Dana's
Power Technologies Group, adding that "By utilizing aluminum cooling
solutions we are able to better reach the efficiencies our customers desire,
while addressing issues associated with space and weight."
By leveraging its expertise in the development of advanced
thermal-management technologies, Dana is able to provide its customers with
custom-tailored aluminum cooling solutions that are engineered to meet specific
performance requirements.
The high-quality IGBT cooling plates will be manufactured at
Dana's facility in Cambridge, Ontario, with production expected to begin in
early 2015, stated a press release issued by the company.
Picture of Nissan
Leaf electric vehicle for representation purpose only