Combined Machine and Converter Architecture for Megawatt EMI Control and Weight Savings

Commercial aviation is a marvel of the modern world, connecting our society in ways that were unfathomable just over one century ago. Currently, the industry relies on fossil fuels for the energy required to fuel these aircraft. Commercial-scale electrification of aircraft propulsion systems promises a bright future with substantial societal benefits including reduced carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, noise emissions and energy consumption. Kaney believes that the requisite power density for long distance commercial passenger air service by electric propulsion will only be achieved with considerable systems engineering and integration of many new novel technologies. Such an electric aircraft propulsion system may be comprised of novel thermal management, additively manufactured motor windings, co-packaging of the motor and drive, and perhaps most importantly a control and hardware architecture specifically designed to mitigate electro-magnetic interference (EMI). Kaney proposes maturing a combination of novel control techniques and machine/converter topologies under this Phase I SBIR to be applied in concert with wide bandgap semiconductor devices to enable future power converter power densities of 20 kW/kg while meeting DO-160 power quality and EMI requirements.

The proposed technology applies to megawatt scale Electric Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) systems.

The proposed technology may also be applied to non-aerospace electric propulsion systems such as those utilized in locomotives, marine vessels, and automobiles.

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.

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