Abstract
We have pursued conducting research on downsizing and weight reduction of propulsion system for the Shinkansen. The power converter, which is crucial for the achievement of size and weight reduction of propulsion system, was downsizing and lightened by adoption of train-draft-cooling system to semiconductor device and curtailment of loss. Furthermore, we succeeded in reducing size and weight of power converter with changing maintenance way of maintenance, which was incarnated by improved reliability of semiconductor device. This is a report on the attainment of downsizing and weight reduction of tentative power converter and results of the experiments with test car.
