SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I research will model, design, simulate and verify feasibility of a new type of high power density, ultra-low ripple 1kV battery charger for the US Navy applications. The approaches used in this research rely on the latest developments in wide bandgap semiconductors for the cancelling of current ripples and special driving and control methods for SiC devices in order to achieve ultra-high power density and efficiency. The proposed charger concept will optimize space, weight, power and cooling based on the design requirements. The research will provide design specifications for engineering development and also identify key design strategies.

Benefit:
The ultra-low ripple battery charger will improve the battery pack's lifespan and performance in the targeted applications. The technology would benefit applications including grid-tie/off-grid energy storage, electric vehicle charging/management, high-voltage DC building, and data center.

Keywords:
silicon carbide (SiC) electronics, silicon carbide (SiC) electronics, High power ripple, Galvanically isolated, high switching frequency, Advanced Battery Chargers, 1000V Direct Current Battery Charger

The Phase II SBIR research will implement the designs from the Phase I SBIR research to build an ultra-low ripple, high efficiency battery charger with high-bandwidth and configure capability with the considerations of optimized Space, Weight, Power, Cooling (SWaP-C). The charger will be evaluated at full scale and meet all the operational requirements in the N181-048 SBIR program announcement. At the end of Phase II, the charger prototype will be tested in laboratory environment and ready for Navy evaluation.