Insulation Materials and Systems for More- and All-Electric Aircraft: A Review Identifying Challenges and Future Research Needs

Borghei, Moein; Ghassemi, Mona

doi:10.1109/tte.2021.3050269

Cited by 89 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 189 publications

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“…Direct current (dc) distribution systems of current aircrafts are operated at 28 V, 270 V (±135 V) or 540 V (±270 V), whereas alternating current (ac) distribution systems are operated at 230 V or 115 V phase voltage with variable or wide frequency (typically 320–800 Hz) [ 11 ], or 230 V or 115 V phase voltage with constant frequency (400 Hz) [ 12 , 13 ]. In AEA, voltage levels in the range 2 to 3 kV seem advantageous [ 13 ]. It is believed that ac distribution systems in the voltage range between 0.6 and 2 kV lead to wiring systems with less weight, reduced power losses and higher efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is believed that ac distribution systems in the voltage range between 0.6 and 2 kV lead to wiring systems with less weight, reduced power losses and higher efficiency. However, above 2 kV, additional insulation requirements add extra mass to the system, thus needing careful analysis [ 13 ]. Because of the need of more electrical power, next generations MEA aircrafts will probably raise the distribution voltage above 1 kV [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to NASA, future aerospace systems can operate at voltages up to 20 kV (designed for 40 kV), with high-frequency operation (400 Hz to 4000 Hz) [ 16 ]. The combination of low pressure, high voltage and high-operating frequencies stresses insulation systems [ 13 ] , with the consequent degradation risk due to partial discharge and arc tracking occurrence [ 17 , 18 ] because electrical discharge inception voltages can be much lower than those at sea level [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wiring issues in aircrafts due to electrical discharges and arc tracking leading to insulation degradation have caused catastrophic accidents [ 13 ]. Different insulation materials have been proposed to combat insulation degradation [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Corona Discharge Characteristics under Variable Frequency and Pressure Environments

Bas-Calopa

Riba

Moreno-Eguilaz

2021

Sensors

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More electric aircrafts (MEAs) are paving the path to all electric aircrafts (AEAs), which make a much more intensive use of electrical power than conventional aircrafts. Due to the strict weight requirements, both MEA and AEA systems require to increase the distribution voltage in order to limit the required electrical current. Under this paradigm new issues arise, in part due to the voltage rise and in part because of the harsh environments found in aircrafts systems, especially those related to low pressure and high-electric frequency operation. Increased voltage levels, high-operating frequencies, low-pressure environments and reduced distances between wires pose insulation systems at risk, so partial discharges (PDs) and electrical breakdown are more likely to occur. This paper performs an experimental analysis of the effect of low-pressure environments and high-operating frequencies on the visual corona voltage, since corona discharges occurrence is directly related to arc tracking and insulation degradation in wiring systems. To this end, a rod-to-plane electrode configuration is tested in the 20–100 kPa and 50–1000 Hz ranges, these ranges cover most aircraft applications, so that the corona extinction voltage is experimentally determined by using a low-cost high-resolution CMOS imaging sensor which is sensitive to the visible and near ultraviolet (UV) spectra. The imaging sensor locates the discharge points and the intensity of the discharge, offering simplicity and low-cost measurements with high sensitivity. Moreover, to assess the performance of such sensor, the discharges are also acquired by analyzing the leakage current using an inexpensive resistor and a fast oscilloscope. The experimental data presented in this paper can be useful in designing insulation systems for MEA and AEA applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Corona Discharge Characteristics under Variable Frequency and Pressure Environments

Bas-Calopa

Riba

Moreno-Eguilaz

2021

Sensors

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“…A severe challenge stems from the wide range of pressure levels that an aircraft undergoes [6]. It is known that the low-pressure conditions intensify aging mechanisms, such as partial discharge (PD) [7], but the problem goes beyond that. The rapid changes in the pressure level during ascent/descent may lead to condensation, accelerating the aging [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Partial Discharge Activities in WBG Power Converters under Low-Pressure Condition

Borghei

Ghassemi

2021

Energies

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Many sectors, such as transportation systems, are undergoing rapid electrification due to the need for the mitigation of CO2 emissions. To ensure safe and reliable operation, the electrical equipment must be able to work under various environmental conditions. At high altitudes, the low pressure can adversely affect the health of insulating materials of electrical systems in electric aircraft. A well-known, primary aging mechanism in dielectrics is partial discharge (PD). This study targets internal PD evaluation in an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module under low-pressure conditions. The estimation of electric field distribution is conducted through 3D finite element analysis (FEA) using COMSOL Multiphysics®. The procedure of PD detection and transient modeling is performed in MATLAB for two pressure levels (atmospheric and half-atmospheric). The case study is the IGBT module with a void or two voids in the proximity of triple joints. The single-void case demonstrates that at half-atmospheric pressure, the intensity of discharges per voltage cycle increases by more than 40% compared to atmospheric pressure. The double-void case further shows that a void that is harmless at sea level can turn into an additional source of aging and couple with the other voids to escalate PD intensity by a factor of two or more.

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Review on High‐Temperature Polymers for Cable Insulation: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Developments

Kemari,

Belijar,

Valdez‐Nava

et al. 2023

High Temperature Polymer Dielectrics

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Insulation Materials and Systems for More- and All-Electric Aircraft: A Review Identifying Challenges and Future Research Needs

Cited by 89 publications

References 189 publications

Corona Discharge Characteristics under Variable Frequency and Pressure Environments

Corona Discharge Characteristics under Variable Frequency and Pressure Environments

Characterization of Partial Discharge Activities in WBG Power Converters under Low-Pressure Condition

Review on High‐Temperature Polymers for Cable Insulation: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Developments

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