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Advanced High Voltage Protection for Vertical Lift Technology
Completed
TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)
Description
Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. (CRG) proposes to leverage recent technology advancements with digital high voltage fault protection of industrial AC and DC grid serviced infrastructure to enable safe, reliable electric propulsion power systems for urban air mobility. CRG is currently working with a Silicon-Carbide (SiC) switching technology partner for a DoD Phase II effort focused on building a full-scale hardware system to demonstrate the ability to protect aircraft secondary electrical grid for the V-22. SiC provides ultra-high speed micro-second switching with 1,500 VDC and 1,000 VAC switching capability along with series electromechanical switch providing galvanic isolation. Electronic and electromechanical switching combine to warrant established reliability fault protection for emerging aerospace high voltage electric power systems. CRG’s track record of innovation in power and energy technology development including hybrid power systems, high efficiency power converters, and battery packs coupled with our partner’s expertise in SiC solid state relays and fully digital circuit breaker technology will deliver successful development of a high voltage digital circuit breaker protection system meeting NASA’s mission goals for safe and reliable advanced air vehicles.
Benefits
• Safe, reliable, vertical lift technology • Fault protection for high-power advanced vehicles • Software defined electrical grid distribution • Digitally controlled high energy systems
• Next generation electric vehicles • Commercial vertical lift aircraft • Digital management and protection of micro-grids
Details
| Technology area | Aerospace Power and Energy Storage > Power Management and Distribution > Management and Control |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., Miamisburg, OH |
| Start date | 2021-05-19 |
| End date | 2021-11-19 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.