US Patent 7393236 Integrated thermal and electrical connection system for power devices

An electrical system as described herein is suitable for use in an electric or hybrid vehicle. The electrical system includes electrical devices, such as power transistors, coupled to an electrically and thermally conductive bus bar. The respective nodes of the electrical devices are coupled to the bus bar such that the bus bar carries a combined signal generated by the electrical devices. The bus bar is also thermally coupled to a conduction heat transfer system, such as a liquid cooled cold plate. Thus, the bus bar functions as both an electrical conduit and a conduction-based heat sink for the electrical system.