High Temperature, High Energy Density Capacitors for Power Management and Distribution Systems

The innovation is the application of a high temperature, modified fluorenone polyester (MFPE) dielectric for link capacitors and other capacitive functions, critical components in the high power, high temperature power management and distributions (PMAD) systems being developed for lunar and planetary applications. TPL has solved the leakage current issue which has plagued FPE. MFPE capacitors have demonstrated gt; 200 oC performance at a significant operating voltage. A multi-layer film approach will also be investigated to enhance breakdown strength. MFPE capacitors represent an advance with respect to temperature, power density and energy density over state-of-the-art capacitors.The NASA Technology Roadmap, TA 3: Space Power and Energy Storage, identify the need for improvements in capacitor performance, i.e. TA 3.3.3 Distribution and Transmission ndash; ldquo;high-voltage power distribution passive components and high temperature capacitorsrdquo;; and TA 3.3.5 Conversion and Regulation ndash; ldquo;high-temperature, high voltage capacitors critical to new converter designsrdquo;. NASArsquo;snbsp; requirements are challenging: power requirements gt; 100 kW; voltagesnbsp; range from 450 VAC to gt; 1,500V; temperatures listed range from 150 ‚ó¶C to gt; 300 ‚ó¶C; and the power conversion system applications involved suggest that high capacitance values are needed.TPL, in collaboration with NASA, will review required capacitor applications; develop design specifications for several applications; design capacitors for one or more power conversion systems; and fabricate and test MFPE film under appropriate conditions to indicate the feasibility of achieving the established design specifications. The result of the Phase I investigation will be a detailed product development proposal to be conducted as a Phase II effort.The application of MFPE capacitors to lunar and planetary power capacitor requirements will achieve major advances in power density and energy density at high operating temperature and voltages.