Investigation of SiC Current Source Inverter for Medium-Voltage High-Frequency Electric Aircraft Propulsion Applications

Benjamin Luckett, Jiang Biao He, Xinmei Yuan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

High efficiency, high power density, and high reliability are three essential criteria for evaluating aircraft propulsion drives. In this paper, a current source inverter (CSI) based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) normally-on MOSFETs is proposed for electric aircraft propulsion drives. The high-frequency operation of the SiC CSI enables lower value of dc-link inductance. Additionally, unlike the conventional voltage source inverters (VSI), the inherently sinusoidal line-to-line voltages waveforms output from the CSI waives the necessity of having a bulky sinewave filter or dv/dt filter, even for long-cable-fed motor drive applications. Therefore, high efficiency and high power density can be concurrently achieved for the proposed propulsion drive. Moreover, differing from the VSI, CSI with normally-on semiconductor switches can tolerate uncontrolled generator fault in which the microcontroller is tripped by electromagnetic inter-ference or other causes when the permanent magnet synchronous machine is operating at high speed with large induced back electromotive force. Simulation results are presented to confirm the high performance of such a SiC CSI based aircraft propulsion drive.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2020 IEEE 9th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, IPEMC 2020 ECCE Asia
Pages3476-3481
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781728153018
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 29 2020
Event9th IEEE International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, IPEMC 2020 ECCE Asia - Nanjing, China
Duration: Nov 29 2020Dec 2 2020

Publication series

Name2020 IEEE 9th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, IPEMC 2020 ECCE Asia

Conference

Conference9th IEEE International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, IPEMC 2020 ECCE Asia
Country/TerritoryChina
CityNanjing
Period11/29/2012/2/20

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 IEEE.

Keywords

  • Current source inverter
  • electric aircraft propulsion
  • high efficiency
  • silicon carbide
  • uncontrolled generator fault

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Control and Optimization

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