Solid-State, High-Frequency, Three-Phase Cycloconverter

In this SBIR, Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) proposes to design and demonstrate scalable solid state switches to meet the Navy’s requirements for electromagnetic launchers that convert electrical energy into kinetic energy. One approximate requirement for kinetic ordinance is to accelerate a two kilogram projectile over a distance of 1 meter to 2 kilometers per second. In one launcher approach, the acceleration requires precisely timed high power pulses of energy applied to each of the launcher’s electromagnetic coils. This massive amount of switched power requires peak currents nearly an order of magnitude higher than presently available from high speed, solid-state switch modules. The primary challenge in this effort is adapting DTl's technology in high voltage switching to the very high peak current required by the launcher. This SBlR proposal will focus on developing flexible power converters capable of accommodating a range of launcher designs, therefore demonstrating that this challenge can be met. In Phase II, DTI will utilize these switches to build a power converter suitable for demonstrating the full magnetic launcher concept.