Calnetix Technologies Announces Poster Presentation at International Workshop on Integrated Power Packaging

CERRITOS, Calif. – August 16, 2022 – Bela Kagalwala, senior electrical engineer at Calnetix Technologies, will present a poster on the design and test results of a new hybrid dual controller at the International Workshop on Integrated Power Packaging (IWIPP), August 24 to 26, 2022 in Grenoble, France.

The poster is based on a technical paper entitled “Designing A Hybrid Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) with Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) for Space Application,” co-authored by Pana Shenoy, staff engineer at Calnetix Technologies. It describes the design considerations and test results of a new state-of-the-art, fully integrated hybrid dual controller, which was developed for driving a fractional horsepower compressor motor on AMBs for specialized applications. The full paper will be published in IEEE Xplore digital library after the event.

The dual controller, called Continuum™ was designed to drive an in-line blower, which is a component of a CO2 removal system that NASA has designed and developed for the International Space Station. The application required a high-speed VFD design to meet speeds up to 60,000 RPM with long-term maintenance-free operation. Calnetix’s AMBs were used to provide extended maintenance-free operation by eliminating lubrication and rotating drag losses in the system, which was required to meet NASA’s outgassing requirements.

Kagalwala joined Calnetix in 2011 and has more than 20 years of experience in power electronics and controls. Before joining Calnetix, she was a compliance engineer at VYCON, a former subsidiary of Calnetix. Prior to that, she was the senior test and compliance engineer at Pentadyne and research scientist at Rockwell Science Center. Kagalwala earned her doctorate in electrical engineering for power electronics from University of Wyoming, USA and a Master of Science in electrical engineering for power electronics from the M.S. University of Baroda, India.

IWIPP is a biennial IEEE event dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art in power semiconductor packaging, which is widely recognized as one of the critical factors influencing the performance and reliability of today’s power electronics. It aims to provide the opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion about the latest technologies and techniques in both industry and academia, and from early-stage research to volume manufacturing, ensuring that a learning environment is fostered for all.

About Calnetix Technologies

Calnetix Technologies, LLC (“Calnetix”), headquartered in Cerritos, Calif., is focused on Innovation That Drives Industries®. The company specializes in high-performance, high-speed motor generators and best-in-class advanced magnetic bearings and control systems. Calnetix’s patented, underlying technologies, which have been in use since the company’s inception in 1998, have made Calnetix a world leader in the design and production of high-speed machines. The company’s overall technology portfolio and system integration capabilities have led to development and production contracts with industry leaders and the start of many successful subsidiaries that focus on unique niche markets.