You are here

Fast Acting Solid State Silicon Carbide (SiC) based Fault Current Limiters for Electrical Distribution Systems

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N65538-07-M-0067
Agency Tracking Number: N062-134-0113
Amount: $99,986.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N06-134
Solicitation Number: 2006.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2006
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-12-29
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-05-27
Small Business Information
535 W. Research Center Blvd., Suite 209
Fayetteville, AR 72701
United States
DUNS: 121539790
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Roberto Schupbach
 Senior Engineer
 (479) 443-5759
 marcelo@apei.net
Business Contact
 Sharmila Mounce
Title: Design Engineer
Phone: (479) 443-5759
Email: smounce@apei.net
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project seeks to develop and prove the feasibility of realizing high-voltage, high-power density Solid-State Fault Current Limiter (SSFCL) technology utilizing Silicon Carbide (SiC) thyristors. The proposed fault current detection and limitation technology will be more efficient, have a higher power density, and be more cost effective for US Navy applications. For this project, Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI, Inc.), with expertise in SiC-based power electronics systems and SiC power packaging, will partner with the congressionally funded University of Arkansas’ National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT), with expertise in the design and testing of transmission and distribution components / systems (such as SSFCLs). APEI, Inc. will prove the feasibility of the proposed concept and design through the successful demonstration of an SSFCL hardware prototype by the conclusion of Phase I. The work in Phase I will first concentrate on the packaging and characterization of 1kV/36A SiC thyristors, followed by the design, building, and testing of an SSFCL prototype using the SiC thyristors. In Phase II, APEI, Inc. will focus on extending the power rating of the SSFCL to 15kV/1kA by utilizing 5.2kV/100A SiC thyristors.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government