N151-065 TITLE: Innovative Power Electronic Switch for Naval Applications in Extreme Temperatures

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: FNC Power & Energy -FY14-01

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate an innovative, ultra-power-dense power electronic switch that can operate in ambient thermal variations of -225°C to 150°C for high temperature superconducting (HTS) power systems with 200-300kW output power, >6MW/m^3 power density, a >200kHz frequency range, >98% efficiency, and self-contained thermal management.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy and US Marine Corps (USMC) are embarking on an aggressive power and energy program for applications in surface and underwater vehicles as well as expeditionary systems to be operated in harsh environments such as deserts, the arctic, and/or within HTS systems. In addition, limited by either shipboard space and weight or portability, the Navy and USMC require innovative technology solutions to increase electrical energy conversion efficiency and density in order to reduce fuel consumption, volume, weight, and life cycle cost. The goal is to demonstrate a power electronic switch for sea vehicles and expeditionary systems that can operate in ambient thermal variations of -225°C to 150°C for HTS power systems with 200-300kW output power, 6MW/m^3 power density, a >200kHz frequency range, >98% efficiency, and self-contained thermal management.

PHASE I: Determine technical feasibility and develop physics-based models in order to produce a converter design capable of meeting the goals and thresholds as detailed in the description.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype based on Phase I work for demonstration and validation. The prototype should be delivered at the end of Phase II. The design should be at Transition Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or 4 at the end of this phase.

PHASE III: Integrate the Phase II developed converter into the P&E-FY14-01 FNC program for transition to the Electric Ship Office acquisition program.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The desired electrical power converter has direct applications in commercial power grid, power distribution, electric power conversion, cryogenic power applications, arctic operations and transportation traction, making it broadly applicable to the commercial world.

REFERENCES:
1. D.G. Holmes and T.A. Lipo, Pulse Width Modulation for Power Converters: Principles and Practice, Number ISBN:0-471-20814-0. Wilsey.

2. Kolawa, E.A. and EE Technologies Study Team. Extreme Environment Technologies for Future Space Science Missions. Technical Report JPL D-32832, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., August 2007.

3. Shin, H. B., J. G. Park, S. K. Chung, H. W. Lee and T. A. Lipo. Generalized Steady-state Analysis of Multiphase Interleaved Boost Converter with Coupled Inductors., IEE Proc.-Electr. Power Appl., Vol. 152, No. 3, May 2005.

4. Gupta, R.K.; Mohapatra, K.K.; Somani, A.; Mohan, N.; Direct-Matrix-Converter-Based Drive for a Three-Phase Open-End-Winding AC Machine With Advanced Features., Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on , vol.57, no.12, pp.4032-4042, Dec. 2010.

5. Zhang, W. Lee, F.C. Chen, D.Y.; Integrated EMI/thermal design for switching power supplies. 2000 IEEE PESC , Volume: 1, page(s): 47-51.

6. Tenca, P., A.A. Rockhill, T.A. Lipo., Low Voltage Ride-Through Capability for Wind Turbines based on Current Source Inverter Topologies. Seventh IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IEEE PEDS 2007) November 27-30, 2007, Bangkok, Thailand.

7. Mohapatra, K.K., Gupta, R., Thuta, S., Somani, A., Umarikar, A., Basu, K., Mohan, N., New research on AC-AC converters without intermediate storage and their applications in power-electronic transformers and AC drives (2009). IEEJ Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 4 (5), pp. 591-601.

8. DoD 5000.2-R, Appendix 6, pg. 204., Technology Readiness Levels and Their Definitions. http://www.acq.osd.mil/ie/bei/pm/ref-library/dodi/p50002r.pdf

KEYWORDS: Power Electronics; Electrical Converter; Efficiency; Extreme Temperature Operation; Enhanced Performance; Thermal Performance

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