More Electrical Aircraft (MEA) Electrical System Modeling, Simulation, and Performance Analysis

Posted by on Oct 24, 2009 in Aircraft, Contracts, Electric Machine, Electronics, Paul Krause, Power Systems, SBIR Phase III | 0 comments

Type of Award: SBIR Phase III, CPFF (In response to BAA) Lead-In Phase II: N61533-89-C-0062 Contract Number: F33615-93-C-2361 Subcontractors: Purdue and Northrop Agency: U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Status: Completed Period: 9/30/93 to 2/19/01 Principal Investigator: Paul Krause Brief Description and Purpose: PCKA and the Aircraft Division of Northrop Corporation teamed to develop and validate component simulations applicable to the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) concept. The overall goal was to provide the Air Force and the aircraft industry with computer simulation support and in-house simulation capability so that MEA power systems would be investigated before, during, and after construction. To achieve this goal, it is proposed to develop detailed hybrid and detailed digital as well as reduced-order computer models of the main components of the MADMEL system. The component simulations were modular and generic in nature so that the models could be used to simulate these components with different ratings and in different system arrangements. Final Report: MEA Electrical System Modeling, Simulation, and Performance Analysis This report is 230 pages in length wherein detailed and reduced order models of the MADMEL components are developed. The components include (1) synchronous machine, (2) switched reluctance generator, (3) PWM inverter fed induction motor, (4) electro-hydrostatic actuator, and (5) MADMEL electrical load simulator. Reports in Paper Form: Modeling and Simulation of  UAV Power System Analysis of Switched Capacitance Machinery for Aerospace...

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Dynamic Simulation of High-Power Machinery Systems

Posted by on Oct 24, 2009 in Contracts, Electric Machine, Paul Krause, Power Systems, SBIR Phase I, SBIR Phase II | 0 comments

Type of Awards: SBIR Phase I and Phase II Contract Numbers: N61533-95-C-0107 and N00024-97-C-4097 Agency: U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center and U.S. Naval Sea Command Status: Completed Periods: 8/23/95 to 6/30/96 and 3/13/97 to 5/1/99 Principal Investigators: Paul Krause and Steve Pekarek Phase III: Dynamic Simulation of High-Power Machinery Systems; N00167-99-D-0100, Subcontracted: Purdue and PCKA Abstract: Over the past 7-8 years, PCKA has been heavily involved in the analysis and simulation of power/drive systems. This work has been done through SBIR’s and level-of-effort contracts for the Navy, Air Force, NASA, and, to a lesser extent, the Army. Considerable focus has been on developing models and modeling techniques. A major breakthrough by PCKA/Purdue, which has the potential of revolutionizing power/drive system analysis and simulation, has been the automatic state matrix generator as a “front end” to a differential-equation-based simulation language (ACSL). This state model generator (SMG) offers the potential of (1) a circuit-based input to a equation-based language (2) convenient and economical simulations, (3) automatic state-space averaging, (4) semi-automatic nonlinear reduced-order modeling, (5) automatic modal reduction, and (6) automatic model connection. Although all these features are promising concepts, none have been developed to the extent necessary for convenient utilization. The focus of the proposed work is to continue research toward the development of these techniques in ACSL and to make the SMG and the associate techniques compatible with MATLAB. The overall objective is to develop a user-interactive system modeler which will lead the system analyst through the steps to implement a system model making use of the potential offered by the SMG. Focus will be on the Navy IPS; however, this work will be valid for the power/drive systems being used or considered by other agencies. Moreover, this work not only represents a breakthrough in simulation, it also automatically provides the mathematical structure to analyze and develop linear and nonlinear controls for power/drive systems. Although the control aspects are not topics of the proposed work, the guidelines for the mathematical structure appropriate for analysis and design of nonlinear system controls will naturally...

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Optimal Design and Prototype Development of Aircraft Generators with Increased Power Density

Posted by on Oct 24, 2009 in Aircraft, Benjamin P. Loop, Contracts, Electric Machine, Power Systems, SBIR Phase I, SBIR Phase II | 0 comments

Type of Awards: SBIR Phase I with IEDC and Phase II Contract Numbers: FA8650-07-M-2781and FA8650-08-C-2859 Agency: U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Status: On Going Periods: 4/2/07 to 1/2/08 and 4/2/08 to 8/11/11 Principal Investigator: B. P. Loop Abstract: The primary objective of the proposed work is to investigate design techniques to improve torque density, power density, and efficiency in wound-rotor synchronous machines.  The underlying principle of the proposed design technique is to alter the flux paths in the machine to increase torque production.  This will be achieved through optimally altering the stator tooth geometry, rotor tooth geometry, and magnetic material properties.  The design process is automated by an evolutionary optimization algorithm that employs a finite element analysis program as an objective function evaluation engine.  Finite element modeling in the Phase I effort showed a potential increase of 12.2% in average torque production for the F18E/F generator.  In the proposed Phase II effort, prototype machines will be built based on the designs obtained in the Phase I.  Hardware validation of the approach will be performed with the help of GE Aviation.  In order to investigate optimization of machines at high-speeds, additional research will be carried out to enhance the finite element modeling capabilities.  These enhancements include saturation, eddy current effects, and skew.  Finally, extensive statistical analysis of the performance of the genetic optimization procedure will be carried out to improve the design technique.  The result will be a commercially viable machine design software package that could be adopted by government agencies and...

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F-35 Three-Bearing Swivel Nozzle (3BSN) Door Actuator

Posted by on Oct 24, 2009 in Aircraft, Contracts, Electric Machine, Jason R. Wells, SBIR Phase I | 0 comments

Type of Awards: SBIR Phase I with IEDC Contract Numbers: N68335-08-C-0060 Agency: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command Status: On Going Periods: 12/11/07 to 5/30/09 Principal Investigator: J. R. Wells Abstract: The lowered cost of maintenance, lowered weight, and reduced installation complexity of smart electric actuators continues to justify the transition from hydraulic actuation to EMAs/EHAs.  This SBIR proposal will extend the advantages of EMA technology into high-temperature, high-vibration applications with a first commercialization target being the JSF F35 Lightning II aircraft platform.  During the SBIR Phase I research, PCKA will collaborate with NAVAIR and Lockheed Martin to establish the actuator requirements.  Once the requirements are defined, PCKA will identify suitable actuator architectures for the application and then optimize the design in terms of weight, reliability, maintainability, manufacturability, and cost.  Key design constraints will be the thermal and vibration environment which may necessitate the use of specific motor technologies, high-temperature wire insulation, lubrication, and electronics.  In Phase II, PCKA will fabricate a prototype of the optimal design and perform qualification tests including EMI/EMC, vibration, shock, and altitude.  If successful, developed technologies will ultimately transition to DoD programs under a Phase III...

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