Frequency Domain-based Electrical Accumulator Unit (EAU)

ABSTRACT: The move towards more-electric aircraft continues to increase the complexity of electrical power systems (EPS) on modern airborne platforms. In addition to ever expanding peak and regenerative power demands, several of the loads can introduce very high rates of current change (dI/dt) within the EPS, all of which implies significant spectral power across a wide range of frequencies. Recent work on electrical accumulator unit (EAU) technology suggests that an appropriately designed LRU may be capable of addressing many of these challenges; however, there may exist an opportunity to improve the previous generation designs'performance through the design of an EAU from a frequency-domain perspective. The primary objective of this Phase I effort is to conceptually design and demonstrate the feasibility of a frequency-domain-based EAU (FDEAU). Such design will include understanding how the frequency content of the power flow in the EPS translates into an optimal FDEAU design and optimal integration strategy of the FDEAU into the EPS. Modeling, simulation, and analysis will be utilized to demonstrate that the proposed design is capable of meeting the relevant requirements from MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-461, and the performance objectives identified at the beginning of the project. BENEFIT: Frequency-domain based electrical accumulator unit (FDEAU) technology offers several benefits in military airborne applications, the first commercialization opportunity that this SBIR will target, including: (1) Expanded peak-power and regenerative power capabilities in the electrical power system, (2) Improved power capability utilization of high-performance batteries on the aircraft, (3) Improved power quality across a wide frequency range and during mode transitions in the electrical power system, (4) Improved over-current protection mechanisms used to prevent battery failures, (5) Improved PHM at both a system and battery level, (6) Improved turbo-machinery starting performance, and (7) Dynamically adjustable frequency domain integration with the electrical system to enable interoperability with a variety of source and load configurations. In addition to the direct benefits to military applications, there is potential for application in commercial aircraft, terrestrial vehicles, and marine vehicles. Finally, the FDEAU technology under investigation in this SBIR may be applicable to renewable energy technologies (e.g., wind or solar power) that do not provide a predictable output power capability. In these applications, the power capabilities of the primary source would be monitored by the FDEAU and the FDEAU would supplement or detract power from the source output to ensure that a predictable power flow was maintained to/from the electrical grid thereby enabling more efficient dispatch at the regional transmission operator level.