EAU Control Algorithms for Stabilizing and Suppressing Transients and Harmonics in Aircraft Power Systems

ABSTRACT: Aircraft power system disturbances cause significant power quality issues such as increased losses, component degradation, and undesirable interaction between the source and loads. Transient disturbances have historically been related to nonlinearities such as uncontrolled diode rectifiers, zero crossing distortion, and fluctuating loads. However, high frequency transients and harmonics are increasingly being associated with the growing number of nonlinear and regenerative loads. While Electrical Accumulator Units (EAU) have been developed for aircraft power systems to provide peak power transient support and power absorption for regenerative loads, challenges posed by More Electric Aircraft (MEA) require further advances in EAU high frequency performance. Creare"s objective is to develop an EAU which incorporates frequency domain control methods to remediate high frequency system power transients. Our EAU provides increased bandwidth, real-time characterization of system transfer functions, and improved high frequency performance for transients and harmonics. During Phase I we will develop a multifunctional analytical model of the aircraft power system, EAU, and controller, and refine our design of the controller. During Phase II we will complete the design, fabricate a prototype EAU which integrates the controller, and demonstrate performance with high-fidelity laboratory testing. BENEFIT: Our EAU will improve aircraft power quality by increasing the ability to damp high frequency transients, oscillations, and harmonics. This technology will have broad application to More Electric Aircraft in military, commercial, and UAV venues.