Silicon Carbide Based Power Mangement and Distribution for Space Nuclear Power Systems

Industrial Motor Drives In the longer term, industrial motor drive systems could see serious performance improvement through the integration of SiC technology. The large majority of manufacturing machinery in the world incorporates a multitude of industrial motors and drives, the electronics of which often times take up entire walls and significant floor space. Electric UtilityThis application offers a unique opportunity for SiC power electronics the need for 10+kV SiC power devices, an area in which Silicon devices cannot compete. Traditionally, the industry has been dominated by large iron-core transformers and mechanical equipment, such as circuit breakers and relays. These systems, while reliable during routine operation, have long repair and replace times in the field resulting in long power outages and many manhours to isolate the problem and return the grid to operation.

There are a wide range of applications within NASA on which SiC power converters could make a significant impact, including: Satellite & spacecraft power management systems Modular SiC converters that are more efficient than silicon and offer reduced weight and volume would find application in nearly every power management system in space. Such systems would be built up utilizing standardized modules, stacking the modules in series and parallel to achieve the desired voltage and current levels, as well as the specific functionality. Satellite & spacecraft motors and actuators Most spacecraft contain a multitude of actuators and motors to perform various functions, such as opening and rotating solar array panels, controlling robotic arms, aligning communications arrays, pointing cameras and instruments, etc. Extreme environment exploratory vehicles While one advantage of SiC technology is to achieve higher power densities through high temperature operation, the other utilization of the technology is to operate in high temperature environments. More »