Aerospace

Raytheon demos primary power converter

Posted 26 July 2016

Raytheon UK's Integrated Power Solutions (IPS) business unit in Glenrothes, Scotland, has demonstrated a scalable Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 primary power converter; supporting the aerospace industry's Electrical Power Systems demands and the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) challenge.

Above: Raytheon UK’s demonstrator AC-DC and DC-AC power converter validates many of the technologies needed to meet the More Electric Aircraft challenge.

Scalable to 90kW, this bi-directional non-isolated power supply is capable of converting 3-phase 115V AC generator supplied power into 540V DC (to meet the aircraft’s varying electrical load requirements) and also converting DC into 3-phase AC for engine start duty; i.e. the generator becomes a motor. In addition, the converter utilises Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductors, high frequency switching and liquid cooling to minimise size and weight.

“The More Electric Aircraft initiative means less reliance on pneumatic and hydraulic systems and making more use of electricity as a ‘common energy carrier’,” comments Dr. Grant MacLean, Technical Lead for Power & Control within Raytheon’s IPS business unit. “Doing so requires a far more versatile and intelligent power architecture while moving away from the traditional approach of largely one-way power distribution. The More Electric Aircraft also requires more efficient and higher density conversion technology if weight savings are to be realised.”

The development of the demonstration converter incorporates technology developed during a series of Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) / Innovate UK funded projects including the Rolls-Royce led ‘Siloet2’ project and the Airbus led Integrated Power & Propulsion Architectures (IPPA) project, which is providing aerospace engineers with data to optimise tomorrow’s aircraft electrical systems for greater efficiency, minimised emissions and reduced operating costs. Also, IPPA has brought together UK suppliers for many of the major elements in an aircraft’s electrical system, including engines, generators, power distribution and electrical loads (such as motors and actuators).

“Raytheon’s role within IPPA has been to help develop a clear understanding of how the More Electric Aircraft’s power architecture can be modelled and subsequently optimised” concludes Dr. MacLean. “We’re now bringing our power design expertise, which ranges from semiconductor fabrication through to system-wide power architecture modelling, to develop fit-for-purpose, reliable and high-density power converters and other products to support the More Electric Aircraft.”