Characterization and performance evaluation of advanced aircraft electric power systems

Abstract

A model of an advanced aircraft electric power system is developed and studied under variable-speed constant-frequency (VSCF) operation. The frequency of the generator's output voltage is varied from 400-Hz to 800-Hz for different loading scenarios. Power conversions are obtained using 12-pulse power converters. To reduce the harmonic contents of the generator output waveforms, two high-pass passive filters are designed and installed one at a time at the generator terminals. The performance of the two passive filters is compared according to their losses and effectiveness. The power quality characteristics of the studied VSCF aircraft electric power system are presented and the effectiveness of the proposed filter is demonstrated through compliance with the newly published aircraft electrical standards MIL-STD-704F.