SiC Based Electrical Distribution for High Voltage Vehicle Power Systems

Power system upgrades for next-generation ground combat vehicles require technology advances such as higher operating temperature, greater power density, and increased functionality. Silicon Carbide (SiC) based power electronic devices offer advantages over silicon devices, especially for high voltage buses, and Creare proposes to develop a SiC-based 12 channel, 600 VDC Solid State Electrical Distribution Unit (SSEDU) which operates at ambient temperatures up to 100 deg C. Our design uses innovative thermal management to enable operation at very high ambient temperature while maintaining adequately low semiconductor junction temperatures. This approach minimizes size and maximizes lifetime and reliability. During Phase I we will develop our proposed design further and demonstrate feasibility through analysis and prototype test. During Phase II we will demonstrate a prototype in TARDEC"s VEA System Integration Lab at TRL5. Creare"s SSEDU offers the benefits of higher power density, higher operating temperature, and increased control intelligence when compared to existing designs.