Compact electronics plenum

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is generally illustrated at 10 a power converter device thermally coupled to a plenum 12 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Plenum 12 is seen to have a plurality of passageways 14 each having an intake opening 15, and an opposing fan 16 at a exhaust opening 17 and thereof. Plenum 12 is also seen to include a plurality of receptacles 18 formed by integral downwardly extending members 20, each receptacle 18 seen to frictionally receive a respective heat generating electrical component 22. Plenum 12 is advantageously configured to wick heat from the heat generating members 22, and then transfer this heat to surface areas in contact with passageways 14 such that the flow of air therethrough removes heat therefrom. Device 10 is further seen to include a package housing 24 defining a chamber 26 therein housing other electrical component 28 forming a portion of the power converter housed therein.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2