Predictive & Prognostic Controller for Wide Band Gap (Silicon Carbide) Power Conversion (Preprint)

摘要

This report was developed under a SBIR contract. This paper presents an approach to predictive control and prognostication intended to increase the confidence levels for power converters in aerospace applications. One goal of this work is to accelerate the adoption of new technologies, such as advanced power semiconductor devices. While the devices are immature the technology provides significant overall performance advantages. Using prognostication it is hoped to significantly increase the confidence levels for successful mission completion and so overcome reservations about adopting these new technologies. The methodology uses predictive modeling and simple, robust, sensing, attempting to avoid excessive sensing requirements in the prognostics of complex converters. This approach requires detailed knowledge of the dominant aging and failure mechanisms, the physical driving forces behind these mechanisms and the observable precursors of failure. The precise history of the power converter system, combined with measurement and modeling, can then predict whether the system can operate successfully for a given time duration, with a high degree of confidence.