Design of high power density converter for aircraft applications

This paper presents a design methodology for high power density converter (HPDC) operating as an AC aircraft bus provider, which presents a particular gravimetric power density challenge. High power rating 3-phase AC-DC converter design with weight minimization is elaborated. By considering sizing of major converter parts that contribute to total converter weight, optimal switching frequency to yield highest power density is evaluated. The design evaluation for 50 kW converter with SiC power modules yields overall gravimetric power density of 3.76–5.35 kW/kg at optimal switching frequency of 60 kHz and volumetric power density of 7.04–7.38 kW/l respectively.