A Lightweight Multilevel Power Converter for Electric Aircraft Drivetrain

Next generation hybrid electric aircrafts rely on improvements in electric drivetrains. This work explores the advantages of incorporating high-density, high-efficiency dc-dc converters to enable flexible battery configurations, as well as increased dc bus voltages for reduced cable weight. A dc-dc...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Coday, Samantha, Ellis, Nathan, Liao, Zitao, Pilawa-Podgurski, Robert C.N.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Density measurement
Hardware
Hybrid power systems
Inverters
Logic gates
Power system measurements
Prototypes
Online Access:Request full text
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Summary:Next generation hybrid electric aircrafts rely on improvements in electric drivetrains. This work explores the advantages of incorporating high-density, high-efficiency dc-dc converters to enable flexible battery configurations, as well as increased dc bus voltages for reduced cable weight. A dc-dc frontend stage with wide operating range also enables a constant (and optimum) inverter input voltage, irrespective of battery state-of-charge, enabling increased inverter efficiency. Practical challenges such as gate drive power delivery, level shifting, commutation loop and converter start-up are addressed in this work to increase overall performance and reduce weight. Finally, this work demonstrates a high-voltage hardware prototype capable of achieving 99.3% peak efficiency and 28.2 kW/kg specific power density.
ISSN:2329-3748
DOI:10.1109/ECCE47101.2021.9595840