This article proposes a new configuration of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) and a Marx generator to generate fast-rising impulse waveforms. This new configuration improves the capabilities of the MMC-based high voltage arbitrary wave shape generator to generate fast-rising impulse since the MMC topology faces many inherent limitations. Similar to the conventional superimposed circuit of the ac transformer or dc rectifier circuit with the Marx generator, three hybrid circuits of MMC and the Marx generator are introduced, where the most optimal choice is made considering the practical aspects of testing, such as the size, cost, and preparation time. Then, a detailed analytical study is performed on the Marx generator circuit and the MMC circuit, and both circuits are coupled together to deliver a complete guideline on choosing various system parameters when the impulse wave shape and the load capacitor are given. The concept of this new hybrid configuration is demonstrated with a scaled-down prototype where the impulse with a rise time of 1 μs is superimposed on different arbitrary wave shapes. Similarly, the MATLAB-Simulink simulation model validates the proposed configuration for a 200, k V dc link voltage and 67 submodules with the desired impulse performance.

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This paper studies the power density limits of propulsion motor for electric aircraft considering thermal aspects and breakdown voltage reduction of insulation. The study em-ploys multi-objective optimization (MOO) to explore various mo-tor cooling options and filter configurations. The results show that motors with direct winding heat exchanger (DWHE) can reach higher specific power, while those equipped with water jacket cooling (WJC) offer a moderate design with simpler structure. Furthermore, the impact of sine wave and dv/dt filters on electric motors design is studied. The findings demonstrate that dv/dt filters enable designs with higher overall specific power compared to sine wave filters. Through simulations, this study identify the challenge faced by aviation motor design in significantly increased insulation thickness, necessitating advanced insulation materials with a minimum thermal conductivity of 5 W/(m.K) to facilitate a high specific power design. Based on this assumption, a preliminary design of 9.6 kW/kg with an efficiency of 98% is presented.

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In the production of green hydrogen, electrolyzers draw power from renewable energy sources. In this paper, the design of Solid State Transformer (SST) for large-scale H ₂ electrolyzers is benchmarked. The three most promising topologies are chosen for design and comparison, including Modular Multi-level Converter (MMC) based SST, Modular Multi-level Resonant (MMR) based SST, and Input-Series-Output-Parallel (ISOP) based SST. The distance between converter towers for insulation and maintenance, the insulation system of the transformer, and the cooling system are designed with practical considerations in order to have an accurate estimation of the volume and weight of the SST. Losses in the switches are calculated based on equations, and losses in passive components are calculated based on FEM simulation. The operating frequency for each topology is optimized to minimize loss, weight, and volume. The best of each topology is then compared with each other to identify the most suitable one for large-scale H ₂ electrolyzers.

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This paper investigates the high-frequency transformer losses attributed to eddy currents in both conductors and the core. A comprehensive model of a transformer winding is presented, meticulously incorporating skin and proximity effects. The winding resistance increase due to these effects is determined by applying analytical and finite element methods. The investigation highlights that eddy current losses in the magnetic core notably increase the resistance of each winding section in low frequencies. However, the impact of these losses diminishes as the winding length approaches the voltage wavelength at high frequencies. Consequently, the net magnetomotive force and flux in the core become negligible. As a result, the high-frequency impedance characteristics are remarkably similar for windings with and without a magnetic core. These findings are substantiated through rigorous simulations and empirical measurements.@en

Litz wires, which are utilized to suppress eddy current, often have complex structures. This paper presents a partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC)-based 3D model for Litz wires with round conductor. The model accounts for both transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields. The discretization of the Litz wire is based on cylindrical elements resulting in a reduced number of elements. Cylindrical element analysis is based on a 2D analytical method. The proposed model is compared with 3D FEM, which shows the model has good accuracy and fast computational speed. It is promising to facilitate Litz wires optimization.

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In electron optics, calculation of the electric field plays a major role in all computations and simulations. Accurate field calculation methods such as the finite element method (FEM), boundary element method and finite difference method, have been used for years. However, such methods are computationally very expensive and make the computer simulation challenging or even infeasible when trying to apply automated design of electrostatic lens systems with many free parameters. Hence, for years, electron optics scientists have been searching for a fast and accurate method of field calculation to tackle the aforementioned problem in the design and optimization of electrostatic electron lens systems. This paper presents a novel method for fast electric field calculation in electrostatic electron lens systems with reasonably high accuracy to enable the electron-optical designers to design and optimize an electrostatic lens system with many free parameters in a reasonably short time. The essence of the method is to express the off-axis potential in an axially symmetrical coordinate system in terms of derivatives of the axial potential up to the fourth order, and equate this to the potential of the electrode at that axial position. Doing this for a limited number of axial positions, we get a set of equations that can be solved to obtain the axial potential, necessary for calculating the lens properties. We name this method the fourth-order electrode method because we take the axial derivatives up to the fourth order. To solve the equations, a quintic spline approximation of the axial potential is calculated by solving three sets of linear equations simultaneously. The sets of equations are extracted from the Laplace equation and the fundamental equations that describe a quintic spline. The accuracy and speed of this method is compared with other field calculation methods, such as the FEM and second order electrode method (SOEM). The new field calculation method is implemented in design/optimization of electrostatic lens systems by using a genetic algorithm based optimization program for electrostatic lens systems developed by the authors. The effectiveness of this new field calculation method in optimizing optical parameters of electrostatic lens systems is compared with FEM and SOEM and the results are presented. It should be noted that the formulation is derived for general axis symmetrical electrostatic electron lens systems, however the examples shown in this paper are with cylindrical electrodes due to the simplicity of the implementation in the software.

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Traditional methods such as Steinmetz's equation (SE) and its improved variant (iGSE) have demonstrated limited precision in estimating power loss for magnetic materials. The introduction of Neural Network technology for assessing magnetic component power loss has significantly enhanced accuracy. Yet, an efficient method to incorporate detailed flux density information—which critically impacts accuracy—remains elusive. Our study introduces an innovative approach that merges Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) with a Feedforward Neural Network (FNN), aiming to overcome this challenge. To optimize the model further and strike a refined balance between complexity and accuracy, Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) is employed to identify the ideal combination of hyperparameters, such as layer count, neuron number, activation functions, optimizers, and batch size. This optimized Neural Network outperforms traditionally intuitive models in both accuracy and size. Leveraging the optimized base model for known materials, transfer learning is applied to new materials with limited data, effectively addressing data scarcity. The proposed approach substantially enhances model training efficiency, achieves remarkable accuracy, and sets an example for Artificial Intelligence applications in loss and electrical characteristic predictions with challenges of model size, accuracy goals, and limited data.@en

More electric aircraft (MEA) is an important direction for future aircraft development. The printed circuit boards (PCB) of power electronics equipment in MEA operates in a complex environment of low air pressure, square wave voltage, compact layout and strong electromagnetic interference, which makes the PCB more prone to partial discharge (PD). However, the effective detection method and related discharge characteristics for PCB PD under square wave voltage are still unclear. Therefore, this paper proposes a PCB PD detection method based on fluorescent optical fiber, which has good anti-electromagnetic interference ability. The PD characteristics of the PCB with three typical structures under three air pressures are studied, including PD non-breakdown characteristics, changes in optical pulse amplitude and pulse repetition rate during PD aging, PD breakdown path analysis and PCB surface electric field simulation. The analysis shows that air pressure, space charge and PCB surface flatness all have important influences on the PD of PCB under square wave voltage. It provides important theoretical support for the insulation protection design and fault diagnosis of PCB for MEA in the future.@en

This paper comprehensively reviews several techniques that address the static and dynamic voltage balancing of series-connected MOSFETs. The effectiveness of these techniques was validated through simulations and experiments. Dynamic voltage-balancing techniques include gate signal delay adjustment methods, passive snubbers, passive clamping circuits, and hybrid solutions. Based on the experimental results, the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are investigated. Combining the gate-balancing core method with an RC snubber, which has proven both technically and commercially attractive, provides a robust solution. If the components are sorted and binned, voltage-balancing techniques may not be necessary, further enhancing the commercial viability of series-connected MOSFETs. An investigation of gate driver topologies yields one crucial conclusion: magnetically isolated gate drivers offer a simple and cost-effective solution for high-frequency (HF) applications (2.5–50 kHz) above 8 kV with an increased number of series devices. Below 8 kV, it is advantageous to move the isolation barrier from the gate drive IC to an optocoupler and isolated supply, allowing for a simple design with commercially available components.@en

More and more printed circuit boards (PCBs) will be used in electric aircraft to achieve higher power density of the on-board electric system, while PCBs in aircraft are more likely to generate partial discharges (PDs) due to external factors such as compact structure and low air pressure. Therefore, this paper proposes a fluorescent fiber-based method for detecting and evaluating PDs on PCBs. The detection method is effectively immune against the presence of the electromagnetic, acoustic and vibration interference. Based on the optical detection, the evolution regularities of PCB surface appearance changes, optical PRPD patterns and optical pulses during the aging process of PCB under different air pressure are analyzed in this paper. Then, 12 assessment features are extracted for the PD aging process, and the contribution of these 12 features to the severity assessment at different air pressures is obtained using the minimal-redundancy-maximal-relevance (mRMR) algorithm. Finally, different numbers of PD features are tested for PD severity assessment by the SVM algorithm. The evaluation results show that the severity assessment method proposed in this paper can achieve an assessment accuracy of at least 91.1% and up to 94.4% under all three air pressures, which has good application and guidance value.

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The rapid increase of integrated distributed generators results in higher fault currents in the future modern grids. A remedy for the concern is employing series reactors as fault current limiters. This paper elaborates on a ferromagnetic core series reactor, which, when saturated, adversely affects the operation of the series reactor during faults. The main goal of the paper is to calculate grid and series reactor coefficients by applying a simplified power line model during a fault condition. These coefficients are the primary considerations of a series reactor design to avoid its saturation. Moreover, the study of the relationship between the reactor inductance and obtained coefficients will be carried out. The obtained results are validated by simulations performed in MATLAB Simulink.@en

The aviation industry, responsible for over 2% of energy-related CO₂ emissions in 2022, aims for Net Zero Emissions by 2050. Despite electric aircraft's environmental benefits and improved operational efficiency, the current battery technology limits their range and size. Based on the optimal system voltage and power profile of the reference all-electric aircraft, this paper presents the design of a hybrid reconfigurable battery pack. The design incorporates a combination of high-specific-energy (263 W h kg^-1 at cell level) and high-specific-power (1800 W kg^-1 at cell level) battery types and its performance is compared with that of a fixed configuration battery pack comprising a single battery type. Simulation results suggest a potential 900 kg (18% lighter than fixed configuration) weight savings with reconfigurable pack, translating into enhanced payload, energy savings, or range extension for 9 PAX Eviation Alice electric aircraft at just 0.4% more energy capacity loss in 500 cycles.

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Innovative test methods are required to keep up with the increased demand for insulation materials which can withstand the high-frequency square-wave voltages generated by power-electronic equipment. Test systems using high-voltage, high-frequency transformers have proven versatile and easy to realise. The authors investigate the application of amorphous cut cores in such transformers. Analytical and numerical models for the transformer and its frequency response are developed, aiding the design process. An amorphous core-based transformer is designed for 8 kV_pk output at 100 kHz and compared to two previous designs based on ferrite cores. The frequency and pulse response, as well as the high-voltage and thermal performance, are evaluated. The comparison shows that while the low parasitics of the amorphous-based transformer allow for superior frequency response, they are unsuitable for long-duration tests with high pulse repetition frequencies (25–100 kHz) due to increased core losses. The partial discharge inception and flashover voltage are comparable to the ferrite-based transformers.

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The energy transition involves integrating numerous pieces of equipment that undergo frequent switching operations and face the risk of lightning strikes. Consequently, power systems are exposed to fast transient switching and lightning surges, necessitating enhanced protection solutions for power equipment. Over the past decade, viable solutions have emerged to mitigate fast transients and safeguard transformers in the form of a ring-core parallel inductor and resistor circuit (R-PIR). Although this device effectively protects medium-voltage transformers from fast transients, a precise and comprehensive model for this component is still lacking, especially considering the importance of refining the R-PIR for broader applications. This paper introduces a detailed model of the R-PIR as a protective device, validated by electromagnetic transient simulations and finite element methods, which are also confirmed by experiments. The main goals of the research work are to investigate the performance and design features of the R-PIR comprehensively and demonstrate how the designed R-PIR protects transformers against fast transients. The research work is validated by experiments conducted in a lab environment. It is concluded that designing the R-PIR within an appropriate frequency range can considerably suppress transient overvoltages to which the transformer is exposed.

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Resonant converters are popular in power electronics due to their soft-switching capabilities, which enhance efficiency and prolong component lifetime. Three- phase resonant converters are particularly noteworthy for their higher power density and reduced ripple, making them ideal for demanding applications. A critical aspect of optimizing three-phase LLC resonant converters is the design of a transformer with adequate leakage inductance required for the resonance circuit. This paper compares two distinct transformer designs for such converters: a five-limb shell-type transformer and a symmetrical triangular transformer. Both designs are evaluated in terms of their performance, efficiency, and suitability for integration into the converter architecture. A detailed design procedure using Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis is presented to guide the development of these transformers. The practicality of this approach and its effectiveness are demonstrated through the implementation of a 3.4 kV to 60 V, 50 kVA prototype. This work provides a comparative analysis of transformer designs and introduces a validated methodology for improving the performance of three-phase LLC resonant converters through optimized transformer design.

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This paper introduces an innovative Magnetic Switch (MFS) designed to control and alter magnetic flux within energy system components, offering an alternative to conventional power electronic devices. The MFS comprises a low-current control coil, a control core, and a high-density magnetic flux-carrying main core combined with a main coil energy system. In this novel magnetic configuration, when a low-power current excites the control coil, the magnetic flux in the main core (supplied by the main coil) decreases to nearly zero. Conversely, when the control coil disconnects from the power source, the magnetic flux within the main core attains its maximum value. This operation positions the MFS as a groundbreaking concept within magnetic-based energy systems, akin to transistors in power electronics. The main outcomes of the MFS concept are that it can vary the magnetic flux of the main core in the large range, and it is a fast magnetic switch with a simple and low power loss control circuit and an independent control coil from the main coil. Analytical studies thoroughly elucidate the performance and advantages of this proposed magnetic switch, substantiated by Finite Element Method simulations and experimental prototype outcomes.@en

Dealing with the fast-rising current of high voltage direct current (HVdc) systems during fault conditions, is one of the most challenging aspects of HVdc system protection. Fast dc circuit breakers (DCCB) have recently been employed as a promising technology and are the subject of many research studies. HVdc circuit breakers (CBs) must meet various requirements to satisfy practical and functional needs, among which fast operation, low voltage stress, and economic issues are the key factors. This article presents the procedure for designing a superconductive reactor-based DCCB (SSR-DCCB) for HVdc applications. In the proposed structure, a full-bridge power electronic configuration controls the superconducting reactor to limit the dc fault current and create a dc zero-crossing; it is connected to the HVdc line by a series transformer. After successfully suppressing the line fault current (current zero current), an ultrafast disconnector isolates the faulty line. The main advantage of the proposed HVdc CB is its ability to interrupt the dc fault current without using the solid-state main breaker and limit the magnitude of the fault current and voltage stress. The proposed SSR-DCCB is investigated in MATLAB/Simulink, and an experimental prototype setup validates the results.

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This paper discusses the prototype development and testing of a load invariant, high voltage gain DC power supply using inductive power transfer. The developed supply is intended to power the submodules of the CHB based arbitrary waveshape generator for testing high voltage components and materials. Using the Series Parallel topology, a load invariant voltage gain of 15 is obtained from a 350 V input DC Bus, with an efficiency of 88% and a load regulation of 18%. The obtained 5 kV output can conduct DC breakdown of dielectrics with a damping resistor and can test insulation aging, breakdown under high frequency AC.@en

Magnetic components are essential parts in many power electronic applications. Their characteristics deeply impact the performances of the applications. This article proposed a 2-D calculation method for frequency-dependent winding losses and leakage inductance of magnetic components of round conductors. The method does not have any limitations on the winding arrangement and considers the impact of magnetic cores and air gaps. The method is compared with several analytical methods and the 2-D finite-element method (FEM). Measurements and 3-D FEM are also used to validate the method. The results show that the proposed method generally has more than ten times shorter computational time than 2-D FEM and comparable accuracy, which can speed up the magnetic component design.

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