Optimizing Power Electronics for the More Electric Aircraft

The application of power electronics in aircraft is increasing in the latest aircraft developments. This contribution focuses on the recent advances of activities at Liebherr-Elektronik GmbH linked to power electronics: active power filter based on fast silicon carbide switches, open box design for unpressurized area, light weight housing, EMC management, partial discharge detection and mitigation, arc-fault detection and standardized innovative power cores with optimized sensors. These topics are derived from a roadmap based on beforehand identified key drivers. These key drivers will enable the future More Electric Aircraft (MEA) by focusing on weight, reliability and cost. New technologies as Silicon Carbide (SiC) and advanced integration will support this strategy.