High Power Density, High Efficiency, Scalable Pulse Power Delivery System
Navy SBIR FY2012.2


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.2
Topic No.: N122-114
Topic Title: High Power Density, High Efficiency, Scalable Pulse Power Delivery System
Proposal No.: N122-114-0606
Firm: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
200 Yellow Place
Pines Industrial Center
Rockledge, Florida 32955-5327
Contact: Troy Beechner
Phone: (321) 631-3550
Web Site: www.mainstream-engr.com
Abstract: With the advent of pulse energy weapons, the transient characteristics of military aircraft power systems is changing. These new loads require power supplies that shield the pulse transient from the electrical distribution system, while also being highly efficient, power dense, and reliable. Mainstream proposes a lightweight, modular, hybrid pulse energy delivery system that is scalable to applications greater than 150 kW. The proposed solution will reduce the total system volume by 50%, lower cost by 30%, and increase reliability by 20% over current solutions. This high level of power density is achieved without the use of high temperature SiC semiconductors, which can significantly increase system cost. In Phase I, Mainstream will optimize the power electronic and thermal management system architecture, and develop the control system for both. Mainstream will also fabricate a small-scale prototype incorporating energy storage elements and the associated power electronic interface, experimentally verifying pulse power operation. In Phase II, Mainstream will demonstrate a full-scale prototype on a simulated aircraft power system. Mainstream's proposed technology will not only improve the reliability and power density of military aircraft pulse power supplies, but can also satisfy commercial power supply goals.
Benefits: Development of the pulse energy delivery system is important to the incorporation of new high energy lasers, weapons, and radars in military applications and in smaller scale commercial applications such as capacitor charging and particle physics power supplies. In all these cases, current solutions are high in cost, non-scalable, and have low power density, thus limiting their use in aircraft applications. Due to the scalability and power density of Mainstream's technology, a single product can be used in all applications, reducing overall costs.

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