• Maximizing the performance envelope (power density, responsiveness, peak power, etc.) of actuators including the related technology of performance criteria and operational software.
• Develop a modern baseline technology for standardized actuators for wide distribution on the ship.
• Develop the technology needed for open architecture standards.
• Improve component technologies, i.e. sensors, brakes, clutches, communications links, gear trains, etc.

Design and Control for Reconf

igurability

For the Navy, history has shown the necessity of maintaining maximum functionality even though the power system has been disrupted physically at one or more locations. Maintaining that same functionality is also becoming increasingly important for the civilian power system.

Reconfiguration requires knowledge of the system configuration prior to a disruption, knowledge of the extent of the disruption, and determination of the stability of a proposed reconfiguration. Current approaches use rather static descriptions of the system configuration, both before an after the incident, and do load flow analysis to support a proposed reconfiguration. The dynamic approach being developed is much more versatile, taking advantage of emerging computing, sensor, and telecommunication capability.

The most significant output from this effort is insight into how to evolve the design of individual power system, and power system in general, to make them more robust through dynamic reconfigurability.

High Power Density Systems

In all mobile power systems, total effectiveness is increased of the system is smaller and lighter with the same or better efficiency. This improvement results from the fact that less energy is required to transport the power system itself and because there is more space available for payload. For power system components, two approaches to improving power density are either to operate at superconducting temperatures or to operate at higher frequencies and higher temperatures than are used today. Within the consortium, staff members at Florida State are focusing on the superconducting solution while the program at The University of Texas at Austin emphasizes high speed, high frequency, and high-temperature systems. In addition, the source of power affects the power system design. The systems under consideration are made up of generator, motors, power electronics, energy storage devices, and transmission lines. The challenge is to do the assessment, not with today’s technology but anticipating and enabling the technical advances that will influence ship power systems for decades to come

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Need for This Program

Modern electric ships are expected to be more versatile at war and less costly during peace than conventional ships. This program will help to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of electric ship technology. The program payoffs will include technical information needed to design a robust electric power system key to advances in radar and sonar, communication, mobility, increased survivability, automation, and advanced weapons. Other anticipated payoffs include an enhanced ability to conduct simulation-based acquisition for naval power systems. Finally, the program will educate engineers to develop shipboard power systems within the U.S.

Technology
Design and Control for Reconfigurability

Reconfiguration requires knowledge of the system configuration prior to a disruption, knowledge of the extent of the disruption, and determination of the stability of a proposed reconfiguration. Current approaches use rather static descriptions of the system configuration, both before and after the incident, and do load flow analysis to support a proposed reconfiguration. The dynamic approach being developed is much more versatile, taking advantage of emerging, computing, sensor, and telecommunication capability.

High Power Density Systems

The program at The University of Texas at Austin emphasizes high speed, high frequency, and high temperature systems to improve power density. The systems under consideration are made up of generators, motors, power electronics, energy storage devices, and transmission lines. In addition, the source of power affects the power system design. The challenge is to determine design strategies, not with today's technology, but anticipating and enabling the technical advances that will influence ship power systems for decades to come.

Additional information below and other publications are available and can be obtained by contacting any of the principal investigators listed below, or by contacting Theresa Caillouet.

Power Train Technology
Principal investigators: Dr. Joseph H. Beno, Dr. Robert E. Hebner, Dr. David G. Bogard


Power Distribution System (Electrical Distribution System Monitoring and Control)
Principal investigators: Dr. Aristotle Arapostathis, Dr. Mack Grady, Dr. Edward J. Powers, Jr


Science Base Program for Intelligent Actuators (Electrically Driven Actuators for Ship Systems)
Principal investigator: Dr. Delbert Tesar

Electric ships will have electrically powered actuators to replace the current hydraulic system. The science base will ensure their maximum performance to meet complex duty cycles, their continued maximum availability through condition-based maintenance and fault tolerance and their standardization to reduce costs and open the ship architecture.


Integrated Thermal Management and Control (Thermal Management System Modeling and Technology)
Principal investigator: Dr. Thomas M. Kiehne


Electric Ship Controls Project (Control Architectures)
Principal investigator: William Shutt

UT Contributors

Within The University of Texas at Austin, this engineering research will involve collaboration among students and faculty from the College of Engineering and researchers from University research centers. The key UT organizations in this program are: