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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Medium Voltage Converter Inductor Insulation Design Considering Grid Requirements

Medium voltage (MV) SiC devices facilitate direct (without 50-/60-Hz transformer) connection of the power electronics converter to the MV grid using simple topology. Compared to the insulation design of MV inductors that have been widely used in the power system, the insulation design of the MV converter filter inductors has new challenges. Particularly, the grid impact on insulation requirements on converter filter inductors is rarely discussed. This article introduces the insulation design of a grid-side filter inductor for a 13.8-kV power conditioning system converter. The grid insulation requirements, including the short-duration power frequency overvoltage and the lightning impulse voltage, are considered in the design. To meet the requirements, the layer-to-layer insulation, winding-to-core/ground insulation, the air gap discharge between the winding and the core, the local electric field, as well as the interturn transient voltage distribution are considered. Furthermore, the designed inductors are validated by the 46 kV (>1 min) dc hi-pot test, 12-kV ac partial discharge test, one-hour single-phase converter full rating test, as well as three-phase converter full rating test.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Passivity-Based Control of Grid Forming and Grid Following Converters in Microgrids

With the integration of more and more power electronics devices into the grid, it is not easy to guarantee the stability of the whole system due to the complexity of the control structure of various power converters. In this paper, we consider grid-forming and grid-following converters in one microgrid, in which the grid-forming converters support the voltage and frequency of the microgrid and the grid-following converters inject their maximum power into the microgrid. To handle the stability issue, the passivity principle is applied to guarantee the stability of the whole microgrid. We ensure every grid-following converter satisfies the passivity via the port-controlled Hamiltonian method. In addition, we apply the passivity-based proportional-resonant controller to the grid-forming converter. One of the advantages of the proposed method is that the phase lock loop system is eliminated, which may cause stability issues. Simulation results show that the proposed method can control the microgrid effectively.

Gui, Yonghao (Young)↗
NASA NTRS1971

Measurements of plasma parameters in a simulated thermionic converter

Cesium-filled thermionic energy converters are examined as candidate electrical energy sources in spacecraft requiring tens to hundreds of kilowatts of electric power. The high operating temperatures necessary for a large specific power and high efficiency inevitably impose stringent constraints on the converter fabrication to achieve the desired reliability of the power system. The converter physics for reducing operating temperatures and cesium plasma losses are studied to achieve high reliability without sacrificing the power performance of the converters. Various cesium parameters which affect the converter performance are: (1) electron temperatures, (2) plasma ion densities, and (3) electric potential profiles. These were investigated using a Langmuir probe in a simulated converter. The parameters were measured in different cesium discharge modes.

Shimada, K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Probe measurements of a cesium plasma in a simulated thermionic energy converter

Cesium-filled thermionic energy converters are considered as electrical energy sources in future spacecraft requiring tens to hundreds of kilowatts of electric power. The high operating temperatures necessary for a large specific power and high efficiency impose stringent constraints on the converter fabrication. The converter physics for reducing operating temperatures and cesium plasma losses are being studied to achieve high reliability without sacrificing the power performance of the converters. Various cesium parameters which affect the converter performance are: (1) electron temperatures, (2) plasma ion densities, and (3) electric potential profiles. These were investigated using a Langmuir probe in a simulated converter. The parameters were measured in different cesium discharge modes.

Shimada, K.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Converter design techniques and applications

Transistorized direct current voltage converters offer a number of advantages over other types because of their small size, low weight, high efficiency, high reliability, precision accuracy and wide range of control. There are three basic types of converter subsystems: series converter in which a voltage-controlled component is placed in series with the load; shunt converter in which a current-controlled component is placed in shunt with the load; and a switching converter in which a voltage-controlled component is turned on and off in series with the load. Converters employing any of these three types of subsystems can provide constant voltage, constant current, or constant impedance across the load. Design and application considerations, step-by-step design procedures, and the solution to sample design problems for the series, shunt, and switching types are presented.

Lalli, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Table-aided design of the energy-storage reactor in dc-to-dc converters

A new procedure for the selection of magnetic cores for use in energy-storage dc-to-dc power converters which eliminates the need for an automated computer search algorithm and stored data file is presented. The converter configurations included in the procedure are the three commonly encountered single-winding converters for voltage step-up, for current step-up and for voltage step-up/current step-up, and for the two-winding converter for voltage step-up/current step-up. For each converter configuration, three types of controllers are considered - constant-frequency, constant on-time and constant off-time. Using concepts developed from analyses of these converters by considering the transfer of energy by means of an energy-storage inductor or transformer, a special table of parameters calculated from magnetic core data is constructed and leads to a considerably simplified design procedure.

Owen, H. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Thermionic converter studies at Thermo Electron

The Thermionic Energy Converter (TEC) development program includes theoretical and experimental surface studies, diode evaluation, enhanced mode converter investigations and system studies, as well as materials fabrication and testing. The primary effort has been concentrated on increasing converter performance via improved electrodes. Diodes with oxide collectors (i.e., tungsten oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide and barium oxide) have provided the best performance. Emitters requiring reduced cesium pressure (such as oxygenated tungsten, lanthanum hexaboride, platinum and graphite) are being tested. Converter configurations using particle spacing are under investigation. Experiments with auxiliary electrode thermionic converters are in progress. Both silicon carbide and alloy hot shells (i.e., barriers to isolate the converter from the combustion environment) have been fabricated and tested.

Huffman, F. N.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Low arc drop hybrid mode thermionic converter

The hybrid mode operation for the reduction of plasma drops is being investigated. This report discusses the results obtained from two molybdenum emitter converters. One converter had a molybdenum collector and the other a nickel collector. The molybdenum collector converter was operated in a hybrid mode (at an interelectrode distance of 1.7 mm) and produced a minimum barrier index of 1.96 eV at an emitter temperature of 1500 K. The arc drop was calculated to be 0.14 eV, using the published results for a molybdenum collector. On the other hand, the nickel collector converter was operated in a conventional ignited mode (at an interelectrode distance of 0.5 mm) and produced a minimum barrier index of 2.1 eV at an emitter temperature of 1700 K. It is tentatively concluded that a large-gap operation of the hybrid mode converter permits the diffusion of cesium ions to a distance in the order of one millimeter for an effective neutralization of electron space charge. By employing a low work function collector (1.55 eV) in a hybrid mode converter with an arc drop of 0.14 eV, it appears that a barrier index as low as 1.69 eV could be achieved.

Shimada, K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Research on design feasibility of high-power light-weight dc-to-dc converters for space power application

The development of 5 kW converters with 100 kHz switching frequencies, consisting of two submodules each capable of 2.5 kW of output power, is discussed. Two semiconductor advances allowed increased power levels. Field effect transistors with ratings of 11 A and 400 V were operated in parallel to provide a converter output power of approximately 2000 W. Secondly, bipolar power switching transistor was operated in conjunction with a turn-off snubber circuit to provide converter output power levels approaching 1000 W. The interrelationships between mass, switching frequency, and efficiency were investigated. Converters were constructed for operation at a maximum output power level of 200 W, and a comparison was made for operation under similar input/output conditions for conversion frequencies of 20 kilohertz and 100 kilohertz. The effects of nondissipative turn-off snubber circuitry were also examined. Finally, a computerized instrumentation system allowing the measurement of pertinent converter operating conditions as well as the recording of converter waveforms is described.

Wilson, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Mathematical modeling of a photovoltaic-laser energy converter for iodine laser radiation

Space-based laser power systems will require converters to change laser radiation into electricity. Vertical junction photovoltaic converters are promising devices for this use. A promising laser for the laser power station is the t-C4F9I laser which emits radiation at a wavelength of 1.315 microns. This paper describes the results of mathematical modeling of a photovoltaic-laser energy converter for use with this laser. The material for this photovoltaic converter is Ga(53)In(47)As which has a bandgap energy of 0.94 eV, slightly below the energy of the laser photons (0.943 eV). Results of a study optimizing the converter parameters are presented. Calculated efficiency for a 1000 vertical junction converter is 42.5 percent at a power density of 1 x 10 to the 3d power w/sq cm.

Walker, Gilbert H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Test and evaluation of load converter topologies used in the Space Station Freedom Power Management and distribution DC test bed

Power components hardware in support of the Space Station Freedom dc Electrical Power System were tested. One type of breadboard hardware tested is the dc Load Converter Unit, which constitutes the power interface between the electric power system and the actual load. These units are dc to dc converters that provide the final system regulation before power is delivered to the load. Three load converters were tested: a series resonant converter, a series inductor switchmode converter, and a switching full-bridge forward converter. The topology, operation principles, and tests results are described, in general. A comparative analysis of the three units is given with respect to efficiency, regulation, short circuit behavior (protection), and transient characteristics.

Lebron, Ramon C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Load converter interactions with the secondary system in the Space Station Freedom power management and distribution DC test bed

The NASA LeRC in Cleveland, Ohio, is responsible for the design, development, and assembly of the Space Station Freedom (SSF) Electrical Power System (EPS). In order to identify and understand system level issues during the SSF Program design and development phases, a system Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) DC test bed was assembled. Some of the objectives of this test bed facility are the evaluation of, system efficiency, power quality, system stability, and system protection and reconfiguration schemes. In order to provide a realistic operating scenario, dc Load Converter Units are used in the PMAD dc test bed to characterize the user interface with the power system. These units are dc to dc converters that provide the final system regulation before power is delivered to the load. This final regulation is required on the actual space station because the majority of user loads will require voltage levels different from the secondary bus voltage. This paper describes the testing of load converters in an end to end system environment (from solar array to loads) where their interactions and compatibility with other system components are considered. Some of the system effects of interest that are presented include load converters transient behavior interactions with protective current limiting switchgear, load converters ripple effects, and the effects of load converter constant power behavior with protective features such as foldback.

Lebron, Ramon C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Test and evaluation of load converter topologies used in the Space Station Freedom power management and distribution dc test bed

Power components hardware in support of the Space Station freedom dc Electric Power System were tested. One type of breadboard hardware tested is the dc Load Converter Unit, which constitutes the power interface between the electric power system and the actual load. These units are dc to dc converters that provide the final system regulation before power is delivered to the load. Three load converters were tested: a series resonant converter, a series inductor switch-mode converter, and a switching full-bridge forward converter. The topology, operation principles, and test results are described, in general. A comparative analysis of the three units is given with respect to efficiency, regulation, short circuit behavior (protection), and transient characteristics.

Lebron, Ramon C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Load converter interactions with the secondary system in the Space Station Freedom power management and distribution dc test bed

The NASA LeRC in Cleveland, Ohio, is responsible for the design, development, and assembly of the Space Station Freedom (SSF) Electrical Power System (EPS). In order to identify and understand system level issues during the SSF program design and development phases, a system Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) dc test bed was assembled. Some of the objectives of this test bed facility are the evaluation of, system efficiency, power quality, system stability, and system protection and reconfiguration schemes. In order to provide a realistic operating scenario, dc Load Converter Units are used in the PMAD dc test bed to characterize the user interface with the power system. These units are dc to dc converters that provide the final system regulation before power is delivered to the load. This final regulation is required on the actual space station because the majority of user loads will require voltage levels different from the secondary bus voltage. This paper describes the testing of load converters in an end to end system environment (from solar array to loads) where their interactions and compatibility with other system components are considered. Some of the system effects of interest that are presented include load converters transient behavior interactions with protective current limiting switchgear, load converters ripple effects, and the effects of load converter constant power behavior with protective features such as foldback.

Lebron, Ramon C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A high speed CMOS A/D converter

This paper presents a high speed analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The converter is a 7 bit flash converter with one half LSB accuracy. Typical parts will function at approximately 200 MHz. The converter uses a novel comparator circuit that is shown to out perform more traditional comparators, and thus increases the speed of the converter. The comparator is a clocked, precharged circuit that offers very fast operation with a minimal offset voltage (2 mv). The converter was designed using a standard 1 micron digital CMOS process and is 2,244 microns by 3,972 microns.

Wiseman, Don R.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Series Connected Converter for Control of Multi-Bus Spacecraft Power Utility

The invention provides a power system using series connected regulators. Power from a source, such as a solar array, is processed through the regulators and provided to corresponding buses used to charge a battery and supply loads. The regulators employ a bypass loop around a DC-DC converter. The bypass loop connects a hot input of the converter to a return output, preferably though an inductor. Part of the current from the source passes through the bypass loop to the power bus. The converter bucks or boosts the voltage from the source to maintain the desired voltage at the bus. Thus, only part of the power is processed through the converter. The converter can also be used without the bypass loop to provide isolation. All of the converters can be substantially identical.

Beach, Raymond F.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Performance of Power Converters at Cryogenic Temperatures

Power converters capable of operation at cryogenic temperatures are anticipated to play an important role in the power system architecture of future NASA deep space missions. Design of such converters to survive cryogenic temperatures will improve the power system performance and reduce development and launch costs. Aerospace power systems are mainly a DC distribution network. Therefore, DC/DC and DC/AC converters provide the outputs needed to different loads at various power levels. Recently, research efforts have been performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to design and evaluate DC/DC converters that are capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures. This paper presents a summary of the research performed to evaluate the low temperature performance of five DC/DC converters. Various parameters were investigated as a function of temperature in the range of 20 to -196 C. Data pertaining to the output voltage regulation and efficiency of the converters is presented and discussed.

Elbuluk, Malik E.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Efficient Design in a DC to DC Converter Unit

Space Flight hardware requires high power conversion efficiencies due to limited power availability and weight penalties of cooling systems. The International Space Station (ISS) Electric Power System (EPS) DC-DC Converter Unit (DDCU) power converter is no exception. This paper explores the design methods and tradeoffs that were utilized to accomplish high efficiency in the DDCU. An isolating DC to DC converter was selected for the ISS power system because of requirements for separate primary and secondary grounds and for a well-regulated secondary output voltage derived from a widely varying input voltage. A flyback-current-fed push-pull topology or improved Weinberg circuit was chosen for this converter because of its potential for high efficiency and reliability. To enhance efficiency, a non-dissipative snubber circuit for the very-low-Rds-on Field Effect Transistors (FETs) was utilized, redistributing the energy that could be wasted during the switching cycle of the power FETs. A unique, low-impedance connection system was utilized to improve contact resistance over a bolted connection. For improved consistency in performance and to lower internal wiring inductance and losses a planar bus system is employed. All of these choices contributed to the design of a 6.25 KW regulated dc to dc converter that is 95 percent efficient. The methodology used in the design of this DC to DC Converter Unit may be directly applicable to other systems that require a conservative approach to efficient power conversion and distribution.

Bruemmer, Joel E.↗