High Power Density, and Efficient on Board Auxiliary Power Generation System

Power generation at remote locations is increasingly important in providing support for logistic and combat operations. The traditional genset driven by a diesel engine, however, is bulky, not highly efficient, and requires non-trivial maintenance. In addition, the power quality that these traditional gensets supply is not sufficient for many field applications. Thus, a compact, yet high efficiency auxiliary power generation system (APGS) integral to the tracked or wheeled military vehicle, at the 4 kW power level, is an essential new component to aid the warfighter. This advanced generator and power control unit makes use of direct-cooled lamination permanent magnet motor technology and a proprietary interphase transformer technique using sub-phases controlled by a digital signal processor. The flexibility of power output of 24VDC, 270VDC, and 120VAC, makes this device especially valuable for a number of field applications. The proposed Phase II effort will develop an advanced on-board (APGS) that will have a higher efficiency, lower harmonic distortion, lower electromagnetic interference, in addition to the greatly lower volume and weight advantages when compared to current generators. AeroVironment will build on our Phase I work, which demonstrated feasibility, and tackle these challenges using our extensive generator, inverter, and digital control experience.