Partial Discharge Monitoring In Electrical Machines For Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (PD-MoniMAP)
Funder
The Royal Society
Value
£29,846.20
Project Team
Duration
01/03/25 - 30/04/26
Project overview
The electrification of aircraft propulsion is the most promising solution to meet the growing demand for air transportation while addressing environmental challenges. Wide bandgap (WBG) power semiconductors are the most attractive candidates in electric aircraft as their ability to switch 10 times faster than conventional silicon (Si) devices, with voltage rise rates (dv/dt) of 30–50kV/μs, significantly reduces power conversion losses. However, these higher dv/dt impose greater voltage stress on electrical machines, increasing the risk of partial discharge (PD) occurring, which leads to early insulation degradation, localised overheating, and ultimately insulation failure. This proposal aims to develop robust PD monitoring approaches to improve detection accuracy to over 90% in the presence of high
dv/dt, enabling predictive maintenance and enhancing the reliability of electrified aircraft propulsion.
Project objectives
The main research questions to be addressed are:
- How to detect PD activities in electrical machines used in aircraft propulsion systems when subjected to high dv/dt from WBG devices?
- How different dv/dt levels from WBG devices interact with varying pressures to influence the PD initiation and intensity in electrical machines?
Impact statement
This proposal addresses challenges outlined in the 2020 UK Research and Development Roadmap, the UK Power Electronics white paper, and the UK government’s vision for achieving net zero. It is timely in addressing a critical barrier to the widespread adoption of WBG devices in electrified propulsion systems, supporting UK companies in advancing key electrification technologies, identified as growth priorities by the UKRI.
