Power Scalable Bi-Directional DC-DC Conversion Solutions for Future Aircraft Applications

Abstract

With the introduction of the more electric aircraft, there is growing emphasis on improving overall efficiency and thus gravimetric and volumetric power density, as well as smart functionalities and safety of an aircraft. In future on-board power distribution networks, so-called high voltage DC (HVDC, typically +/−270VDC) supplies will be introduced to facilitate distribution and reduce the associated mass and volume, including harness. Future aircraft power distribution systems will also very likely include energy storage devices (probably, batteries) for emergency back up and engine starting. Correspondingly, novel DC-DC conversion solutions are required, which can interface the traditional low voltage (28 V) DC bus with the new 270 V one. Such solutions presently need to cater for a significant degree of flexibility in their power ratings, power transfer capability and number of inputs/outputs. Specifically, multi-port power-scalable bi-directional converters are required. This paper presents the design and testing of such a solution, addressing the use of leading edge wide-band-gap (WBG) solid state technology, especially silicon carbide (SiC), for use as high-frequency switches within the bi-directional converter on the high-voltage side.

Special Issue “Advanced DC-DC Power Converters and Switching Converters”

“…The converter design constraints depend on the need for reduced volume, high efficiency, and reliability as well as the requirement for a considerable degree of flexibility in the power transfer capabilities, and several numbers of inputs/outputs. Additionally, the paper investigates the use of advanced wide-band-gap (WBG) solid-state technology, particularly silicon carbide, for use as high-frequency switches within the bi-directional converter on the high-voltage side [9].…”

Improved Performance in the Control of DC-DC Three-Phase Power Electronic Converter Using Fractional-Order SMC and Synergetic Controllers and RL-TD3 Agent

“…A remarkable type of DC-DC converter is the multi-phase interleaved converter, and one of its basic characteristics is that the failure of components in one phase does not affect the operation of the rest of the converter phases. Thus, this type of DC-DC converter is highly reliable and can be successfully used as an interconnection interface between a main grid (which also contains an AC-DC converter) and a DC microgrid [11][12][13][14][15]. As far as the control system of such a DC-DC power electronic converter is concerned, we can say that it is usually built using classic PI controllers [16][17][18][19].…”

Development of a Smart Supercapacitor Energy Storage System for Aircraft Electric Power Systems

“…The newly introduced different types of electrically driven systems in future more electric aircraft (MEA) significantly increase power demands, and thus increasing generation capacity requirements for the onboard electric power system (EPS) [1][2][3][4][5]. Some specific loads with high dynamics such as flight actuation systems are characterized by significant power requirement peaks.…”