Engineering topics

Gardner, Brent G.

Publications and source records attributed to Gardner, Brent G..

7 records

NASA NTRS2019

Modular Standards for Space Power Systems

This presentation presents an approach to provide commonality for future space power systems through a set of modular power standards. The approach presented breaks down the electrical power conversion and distribution system into the lowest level functions, which are represented by power electronics modules, and serve as the foundational building blocks of the system. A series of Modular Power Standards has been developed to define the functions and interfaces of the lowest level of the electrical power system, or for each type of power electronics module. The power electronics modules, when integrated with a common chassis and backplane, can then be built up into modular electronics assemblies, which have been demonstrated and characterized in a relevant ground test environment.

Gardner, Brent G.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Advanced Modular Power System Electronics Enclosure Thermal Testing

An analysis was set up to model the temperature of the advanced modular power system (AMPS) power distribution cards when installed within the electronics enclosure case. The analysis was used to determine the steady-state temperature distribution of the cards within the case. To verify the analysis, an experiment was set up and conducted to simulate the operation of the cards within the enclosure. Four tests were conducted. The tests varied the position of the cold plate and evaluated the use of a thermal compound to reduce the contact resistance between the joints within the thermal path between the cards and the cold plate. Three of the four cases examined showed very good agreement between the analysis and the experiment with a less than 1-percent variation in the predicated temperatures determined through the analysis and the experimentally derived temperatures. In the remaining case, the difference between the analysis and experiment was approximately 12 percent. Both the experiment and analysis showed that the modular power conditioning cards can be maintained within their desired maximum operating temperature range of 40 to 45 °C through thermal conduction to a cold plate when operating with their estimated maximum heat output of 16 W per card.

Colozza, Anthony J.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Modular Power Standard for Space Explorations Missions

Future human space exploration will most likely be composed of assemblies of multiple modular spacecraft elements with interconnected electrical power systems. An electrical system composed of a standardized set modular building blocks provides significant development, integration, and operational cost advantages. The modular approach can also provide the flexibility to configure power systems to meet the mission needs. A primary goal of the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Modular Power System (AMPS) project is to establish a Modular Power Standard that is needed to realize these benefits. This paper is intended to give the space exploration community a "first look" at the evolving Modular Power Standard and invite their comments and technical contributions.

Exploration↗

NASA NTRS2010

Test Results From a High Power Linear Alternator Test Rig

Stirling cycle power conversion is an enabling technology that provides high thermodynamic efficiency but also presents unique challenges with regard to electrical power generation, management, and distribution. The High Power Linear Alternator Test Rig (HPLATR) located at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio is a demonstration test bed that simulates electrical power generation from a Stirling engine driven alternator. It implements the high power electronics necessary to provide a well regulated DC user load bus. These power electronics use a novel design solution that includes active rectification and power factor control, active ripple suppression, along with a unique building block approach that permits the use of high voltage or high current alternator designs. This report describes the HPLATR, the test program, and the operational results.

Birchenough, Arthur G.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Test Results from a High Power Linear Alternator Test Rig

Stirling cycle power conversion is an enabling technology that provides high thermodynamic efficiency but also presents unique challenges with regard to electrical power generation, management, and distribution. The High Power Linear Alternator Test Rig (HPLATR) located at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, OH is a demonstration test bed that simulates electrical power generation from a Stirling engine driven alternator. It implements the high power electronics necessary to provide a well regulated DC user load bus. These power electronics use a novel design solution that includes active rectification and power factor control, active ripple suppression, along with a unique building block approach that permits the use of high voltage or high current alternator designs. This presentation describes the HPLATR, the test program, and the operational results.

Birchenough, Arthur G.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Silicon Carbide Diodes Characterization at High Temperature and Comparison With Silicon Devices

Commercially available silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes from different manufacturers rated at 200, 300, 600, and 1200 V, were electrically tested and characterized as a function of temperature up to 300 C. Electrical tests included both steady state and dynamic tests. Steady state tests produced forward and reverse I-V characteristic curves. Transient tests evaluated the switching performance of the diodes in either a hard-switched DC to DC buck converter or a half-bridge boost converter. For evaluation and comparison purposes, the same tests were performed with current state-of-the-art ultra fast silicon (Si) pn-junction diodes of similar ratings and also a Si Schottky diode. The comparisons made were forward voltage drop at rated current, reverse current at rated voltage, and turn-off peak reverse recovery current and reverse recovery time. In addition, efficiency measurements were taken for the buck DC to DC converter using both the SiC Schottky diodes and the Si pn-junction diodes at different temperatures and frequencies. The test results showed that at high temperature, the forward voltage drop for SiC Schottky diodes is higher than the forward drop of the ultra fast Si pn-junction diodes. As the temperature increased, the forward voltage drop of the SiC Schottky increased while for the ultra fast Si pn-junction diodes, the forward voltage drop decreased as temperature increased. For the elevated temperature steady state reverse voltage tests, the SiC Schottky diodes showed low leakage current at their rated voltage. Likewise, for the transient tests, the SiC Schottky diodes displayed low reverse recovery currents over the range of temperatures tested. Conversely, the Si pn-junction diodes showed increasing peak reverse current values and reverse recovery times with increasing temperature. Efficiency measurements in the DC to DC buck converter showed the advantage of the SiC Schottky diodes over the ultra fast Si pn-junction diodes, especially at the higher temperatures and higher frequencies.

Lebron-Velilla, Ramon C.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Silicon Carbide Diodes Performance Characterization at High Temperatures

NASA Glenn Research center's Electrical Systems Development branch is working to demonstrate and test the advantages of Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices in actual power electronics applications. The first step in this pursuit is to obtain commercially available SiC Schottky diodes and to individually test them under both static and dynamic conditions, and then compare them with current state of the art silicon Schottky and ultra fast p-n diodes of similar voltage and current ratings. This presentation covers the results of electrical tests performed at NASA Glenn. Steady state forward and reverse current-volt (I-V) curves were generated for each device to compare performance and to measure their forward voltage drop at rated current, as well as the reverse leakage current at rated voltage. In addition, the devices were individually connected as freewheeling diodes in a Buck (step down) DC to DC converter to test their reverse recovery characteristics and compare their transient performance in a typical converter application. Both static and transient characterization tests were performed at temperatures ranging from 25 C to 300 C, in order to test and demonstrate the advantages of SiC over Silicon at high temperatures.

Lebron-Velilla, Ramon C.↗