Advanced Variable Speed Drive Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-056 Topic Title: Advanced Variable Speed Drive Proposal No.: N051-056-0149 Firm: Reliability & Performance Technologies, LLC 252 Rothschild Lane Harlysville, Pennsylvania 19438 Contact: Bernard Ryder Phone: (215) 862-4773 Web Site: www.rp-tech.net Abstract: The U.S. Navy has independent variable speed drive (VSD) projects geared for specific system applications. However, there is no long term or fleet wide effort to develop a standard 450VAC VSD system design which will meet the stringent requirements set forth in MIL-STD 1399 (Electrical Power System Interface Standards) and MIL-STD 461E (Electromagnetic Interference Standards). The current 450VAC VSD technologies employed by these various projects require the use of large and heavy input transformers to reduce the harmonic noise generated by the VSD or large input EMI filters to mitigate high frequency (EMI) noise emissions. In most cases it is the input transformer requirement, which prohibits the use of the VSD, due to shipboard space and weight restrictions. The Advanced Variable Speed Drive (AVSD) project will develop an advanced AC inverter system for use on 450 Volt applications to eliminate input harmonics and reduce EMI noise generation to within the limitations of Mil-Std- 461. Furthermore, the advancements in shipboard automation and control of motor-based systems by variable speed drives will be drastically improved by the integration of the AVSD PLC controls, which can be used to enable Condition Based Maintenance software applications such as ICAS, and otherwise contribute to reducing motor systems' maintenance requirements. The use of variable speed drives will allow total integration of motor-based systems into the automated ship controls environment. Benefits: The AVSD system will enable the U.S. Navy to use state of the art variable speed motor controls to communicate with the intelligent ship environment to increase motor-based system efficient and reliability while minimizing installation requirements. Development of an AVSD would open new markets within the electrical commercial sector by demonstrating the capability to resolve commercial problems associated with supply-side harmonics, causing motor overheating. EMI suppression, Winding insulation damage associated with heat dissipation, and electrical bus overload during motor set-up. Return