POWER CONVERSION & MOTOR CONTROLS

Calnetix’s Defense & Aerospace division currently serves as a contractor for the U.S. Army Ground Vehicles Systems Center in the design and development of a 500 kW bidirectional inverter. The key features of the design include high-speed inverter and DC static switch interfaces, a custom-designed DC bus capacitor that can withstand high operating temperatures, and interlock features to ensure operator safety.

The high-frequency and power dense converter will be demonstrated in electrified military vehicles as a part of the Platform Electrification and Mobility (PEM) effort. The Enercycle™ DC-1000 inverter is ideal for this application, as it offers high-temperature operation, high system efficiency of up to 98.5 percent and unmatched power levels and durability for the harsh environments of the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems.

Calnetix’s power converter supports flexible electrical architectures and can be utilized for high power conversion of DC to AC, or AC to DC.  Calnetix PEM power converters, utilizing SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technology, will drive traction motors and pair with hybrid electric generators to provide mobility and on-board electrical power to ground combat vehicles, enabling a step-change in vehicle performance and operability.

Next-generation unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) payloads will require high power density motor generators to ensure long periods of operation in the field. Calnetix’s Magnaforce™ Permanent Magnet (PM) generators provide the best combination of size, power, cost, and reliability for these missions. They are customizable for special applications and provide excellent energy efficiency, minimal footprint and low maintenance requirements.  

The potential applications of this inverter extend beyond ground vehicles and encompass naval vessels as well as airborne systems.

After over 20 years of providing electric power generation and power management solutions to OEMs, Calnetix is bringing its proven expertise to improve operational excellence to help the military gain and retain operational advantage over adversaries.