Design of a Fast Switching 200 kVA SiC Drive Inverter for Aviation Application

Conference: PCIM Europe 2023 - International Exhibition and Conference for Power Electronics, Intelligent Motion, Renewable Energy and Energy Management
05/09/2023 - 05/11/2023 at Nürnberg, Germany

doi:10.30420/566091135

Proceedings: PCIM Europe 2023

Pages: 8Language: englishTyp: PDF

Authors:
Vollmar, Nicolas; Woehrle, Dennis; Armbruster, Cornelius; Schoener, Christian (Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Germany)

Abstract:
The efficiency and power density of drive inverters are critical for the electrification of aviation. Widebandgap semiconductors are beneficial in this regard as they allow high switching speeds ultimately reducing switching losses and the size of associated passive components. In this paper, the design of a 200 kVA drive inverter based on a B6 topology with low-inductive half-bridge power modules comprising of 1200 V SiC MOSFETs is presented. High-performance gate drivers provide sufficient current capability as well as ultra-fast overcurrent protection. An optimized two-stage DC-link reduces the switching overvoltage and oscillations. A power density of approximately 89 kW/dm3 and 79 kW/kg excluding the cooling system and a peak efficiency of over 98.8% are achieved.