Current-source 1-Ph inverter design for aircraft applications

Purpose This paper aims to present an inverter with a current-source input for 400 Hz avionic systems to have a system which removes DC-link capacitors and presents a high efficiency. Design/methodology/approach A battery-powered DC link inductor generates a constant-current source. A single high-frequency switch is used to provide a sinusoidally modulated current before the inverter. The output of the switch is "unfolded" by a thyristor-based H-bridge inverter to generate an AC output current. The system uses a CL low-pass filter to obtain a 400 Hz pure sine wave by removing pulse width modulation components. Findings Simulations and Typhoon HIL real-time experiments were performed with closed-loop control to validate the proposed inverter concept while meeting the critical standards of MIL-STD-704F. Originality/value This current source inverter topology is suitable for avionic systems that require 400 Hz output frequency. The topology uses small DC-link inductor and eliminates bulky capacitor which determines the inverter lifetime.