On Power Quality of Variable-Speed Constant-Frequency Aircraft Electric Power Systems

In this paper, a comprehensive model of the variable-speed constant-frequency aircraft electric power system is developed to study the performance characteristics of the system and, in particular, the system power quality over a frequency range of operation of 400 Hz to 800 Hz. A fully controlled active power filter is designed to regulate the load terminal voltage, eliminate harmonics, correct supply power factor, and minimize the effect of unbalanced loads. The control algorithm for the active power filter (APF) is based on the perfect harmonic cancellation method which provides a three-phase reference supply current in phase with its positive-sequence fundamental voltage. The proposed APF is integrated into the model of a 90-kVA advanced aircraft electric power system under VSCF operation. The performance characteristics of the system are studied with the frequency of the generator's output voltage varied from 400 Hz to 800 Hz under different loading conditions. Several case studies are presented including dc loads as well as passive and dynamic ac loads. The power quality characteristics of the studied aircraft electric power system with the proposed active filter are shown to be in compliance with the most recent military aircraft electrical standards MIL-STD-704F as well as with the IEEE Std. 519.