Multi-port Power Conversion Systems for the More Electric Aircraft

In the framework of the More Electric Aircraft (MEA), weight reduction and energy efficiency constitute the key figures. In addition to these requirements, the safety and the continuity of operation is of critical importance. These sets of desired feature are in disagreement, because the redundancy needed to guarantee the safety of operation implies necessarily in additional weight. Several concepts of the electrical power distribution systems have been proposed, in this manuscript, an approach based on the widespread use of multi-port power converters both for the DC/DC and for the DC/AC stages is proposed. These two technologies allows for a ring distribution of the electrical power whereas the galvanic isolation is still kept. Simulation and experimental results show the feasibility of the concept in common and fault operation conditions.