Switching circuit layout with heatsink

Abstract

A circuit board adapted for use in an switching converter for connecting a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The circuit board has a layout for connecting the switches. The layout is adapted for locating the switches substantially at or symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of a right-angle cross. The right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle. The circuit board may offsets the switches perpendicularly to the line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

1 . A circuit board adapted for use in a switching converter for connecting a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch, wherein the circuit board comprises:
 a layout for connecting said switches,   wherein said layout is adapted for locating said switches substantially at the endpoints of a right-angle cross.   
     
     
         2 . The circuit board of  claim 1 , wherein said layout is adapted for locating said switches substantially symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of said right-angle cross. 
     
     
         3 . The circuit board of  claim 1 , wherein said right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle, wherein the circuit board offsets all said switches perpendicularly to said line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. 
     
     
         4 . The circuit board of  claim 1 , wherein said layout includes a respective cutout for said switches wherein said switches are chassis mounted. 
     
     
         5 . A switching converter comprising:
 a plurality of switches including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch;   a circuit board having a layout for connecting said switches,   wherein said layout locates said switches substantially at the endpoints of a right-angle cross.   
     
     
         6 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said layout is adapted for locating said switches substantially symmetrically with respect to the endpoints of said right-angle cross. 
     
     
         7 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said switches are interconnected in a full bridge switching topology. 
     
     
         8 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said switches are interconnected in a buck-boost switching topology. 
     
     
         9 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , further comprising a heat-sink operatively attached to said switches for conducting heat from said switches. 
     
     
         10 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are selected from the group consisting of: a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), an insulated gate bipolar junction transistor (IGBT), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a field effect transistor (FET), a junction field effect transistor (JFET), a switching diode, an electrical relay, a reed relay, a solid state relay, an insulated gate field effect transistor (IGFET), a diode for alternating current (DIAC), and a triode for alternating current (TRIAC). 
     
     
         11 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said switches are insulated gate bipolar junction transistors (IGBT), wherein said layout includes cutouts for said switches, the converter further comprising:
 a chassis mounting said insulated gate bipolar junction transistors; and   a heat sink attached to said transistors and said chassis.   
     
     
         12 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle, wherein the circuit board offsets all said switches perpendicularly to said line segments at the endpoints of the line segments either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, thereby forming said layout of said switches in the shape of a fylfot cross. 
     
     
         13 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said right-angle cross is formed from two line segments, including a first line segment and a second line segment intersecting with a ninety degree angle, wherein said first switch and said third switch are at the endpoints of said first line segment forming a first pair of said switches and said second switch and said fourth switch are at the endpoints of said second line segment forming a second pair of said switches, and wherein the switching converter switches alternately said first pair of switches and said second pair of switches. 
     
     
         14 . The switching converter of  claim 5 , wherein said right-angle cross is formed from two line segments intersecting with a ninety degree angle, wherein the circuit board offsets two of said switches perpendicularly to one of said line segments at the endpoints of said one line segment either in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. 
     
     
         15 . The switching converter of  claim 14 , which when mounted vertically said one line segment is substantially vertical and one of said two switches is substantially below the second of said two switches so that while the switching converter is operating the heat from the lower of said two switches does not flow near the upper of said two switches.