Power conversion for a novel AC/DC aircraft electrical distribution system

Trentin, Andrew; Zanchetta, Pericle; Wheeler, Patrick; Clare, Jon C.

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel and compact AC/DC electrical distribution system for new generation aircraft. In these new aircraft power systems, all loads are fed by two dc bus systems: at 28V and at +/-270V. The electrical distribution system, whose design and implementation are described in this paper, has only one primary AC source (360-900Hz at 230V) with all the required dc voltage levels being derived from this source. This solution enables elimination of the complex mechanical coupling apparatus currently used, for fixed frequency AC systems, to maintain the generator speed at constant level while the engines operate at variable speed. Under the proposed solution, all conversion stages needed to generate the various output voltage levels are implemented using power converters assembled in one unit. Each converter has a current control loop in order to regulate the output current even during output line short circuits and also to limit the inrush current to the circuit at turn-on. To prove the concept a 5 kW prototype was designed and tested, and demonstrated to meet all the specifications within relevant standards regarding input and output power quality.

Citation

Trentin, A., Zanchetta, P., Wheeler, P., & Clare, J. C. (2014). Power conversion for a novel AC/DC aircraft electrical distribution system. IET Electrical Systems in Transportation, 4(2), https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-est.2013.0005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 2, 2013
• Publication Date: Jun 2, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jun 29, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 29, 2016
• Journal: IET Electrical Systems in Transportation
• Print ISSN: 2042-9738
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-9738
• Publisher: Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-est.2013.0005
• Keywords: 3-phase buck-type PWM rectifier, DC/DC converter, Multiple DC Network
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/731209
• Publisher URL: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=6823241
• Additional Information: This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in IET Electrical Systems in Transportation and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital Library.