Dielectric Strength of Altered Epoxy and Additively Manufactured Materials under High Continuous and Pulsed Electric Fields
Abstract
This proposal requests funds to procure equipment that will be used to study the dielectric properties of altered epoxy and additive and pulsed electric fields, respectively. It will support an ongoing ONR NEEC effort whose scope is in the process of being significantly expanded. The US Navys future fleet will rely more heavily on electric powerthan ever before. Unique zonal power system architectures have been proposed where each zone has its own AC and DC generation sources installed. AC/DC and DC/DC power converters will be used to distribute power between zones using dual medium voltage (MV) DC busses, with voltages as high as 20 kV. Hotel loads that are as simple as a toaster oven, ship propulsion motors,and even electric weapon systems such as high power microwave (HPM) sources and railguns are among the critical demand that power systems may have to reliably supply. The voltage, current, power, and energy requirements, respectively, of the many loads are vastly different and there iscertainly no one size fits all electrical insulator that meets all the requirements. HPM sources require voltages as high as several hundred kV with 10s-100s of Joules of energy stored and railguns require less than 10 kV but as much as 150 MJ may be stored. In either of these pulsed loads, the insulator design is critical for safe operation and new materials need to be identified thatcan increase power and energy densities, respectively. Insulation of continuously supplied MVDC power distribution cables, points of common coupling (PCC) within the power distribution system,radars, and other critical shipboard loads is equally challenging and new materials can significantly reduce size and increase mean time to failure.Dielectric breakdown of insulators used in any electrical component is always a concern and identification of improved dielectric insulating materials is desirable. Typically, transformer oil, de-ionized water, or electronegative gas are used to insulate very high voltage pulsed power systems, each of which introduces significant engineering challenges and restrictions. Solid dielectrics, such as plastic, Teflon, and fiber glass reinforced epoxies are also commonly used as insulator materials in higher and lower voltage electronics. The PI has proposed to ONR that new dielectric potting compounds and additively manufactured materials be engineered and studied that can be used as alternatives to traditional solid and liquid dielectrics. This is the scope of workin the process of being expanded onto the NEEC effort mentioned earlier. Previously documented research efforts have shown the ability to alter the permittivity of potted dielectrics using nanoparticle additives, but little study is presented beyond measrials and processes are being introduced commercially at a rapid pace and little is documented studying their viability as insulators in high voltage electrical systems. The equipment this DURIP will fund includes a low frequency AC/DC high potential (Hi-Pot)test system manufactured by HIPOTRONICS and a 300 kV repetitive rate, pulsed power supply with custom load fixture manufactured by Applied Physical Electronics LC (APELC). Together these hardware systems will be used to study new dielectric materials under high continuous and pulsed electric fields,ade permittivity, reduce electric field enhancements, increase power and energy density, and improve the reliability of high voltage electric power systems. It is anticipated that the requirement for transformer oil can be reduced, decreasing the engineering complexity, weight, and volume of fielded high voltage pulsed power systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112319
Entities
People
- David A. Wetz
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Texas at Arlington