IMPERIAL will deliver both DC/DC and DC/AC electrical energy conversion converters. In the Clean Sky 2 Joint Technical Programme, the overall benefits expected from Systems ITD outputs are:
✓ Direct contributions to environmental objectives: optimised green trajectories, electrical taxiing, more electrical aircraft approach, and have a direct impact on CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, perceived noise, air quality, weight gain.
✓ Enablers for other innovations: for example, bleedless power generation, actuators, innovative power distribution systems are necessary steps for the implementation of innovative engines or new aircraft configurations.
✓ Enablers for air transport system optimization: many of the major improvements identified in SESAR, NextGen and Clean Sky for greening, improved mobility or ATS efficiency can only be reached through the development and the integration of on-board systems such as data link, advanced weather systems, trajectory negotiation, and flight management predictive capabilities.
✓ Smart answers to market demands: systems and equipment have to increase their intrinsic performance to meet new aircraft needs without a corresponding increase in weight and volume: kW/kg, flux/dm3 are key indicators of systems innovation; competitiveness is at stake.
More specifically, IMPERIAL will contribute to the delivery of ITD platform “Major loads from Systems” by providing a novel power electronic DC/AC & DC/DC converter from the HVDC power generation system. The power converters developed within this topic will demonstrate high-power density, high reliability and be able to work in a high-temperature environment.
IMPERIAL project will contribute to the achievement of the environmental targets (a 20-30% reduction in CO2, a 20-40% reduction in NOX and a up to 75% noise reduction in 2035) . The innovative IMPERIAL modules converters will enable high-voltage DC distribution with decentralized conversion. This innovative technology will significantly decrease the weight associated with power distribution, i.e. cabling AWG and weight associated with power conversion with a 5kW/kg ratio. The power electronic converter solutions proposed in IMPERIAL based on WBG devices will be more reliable compared to the conventional silicon solution, especially in harsh environment. The power conversion system will be able to convert more power with less consumption and improved reliability and maintainability (rackable modules). This means next generation aircraft will be operated with reduced Time Between Overhaul and less maintenance, more electrical power available for passenger services thus with less delay and more reliable scheduling enabling seamless mobility for passengers
