A new voltage regulation unit for aircraft has been designed at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTI). The device, developed within the framework of the Priority 2030 program, is ahead of its domestic counterparts in many respects.
For the first time in domestic practice, NSTU-NETI scientists have developed a new universal voltage regulation unit for aircraft using the technology of manufacturing power hybrid modules using domestic SiC transistor crystals and digital control. The device is a regulator that allows, when the load changes, to normalize the voltage of the on-board network generated by an aviation generator in accordance with State standard specifications.
Electric generators powered by gas turbine engines generate a network that is most often unstable. To bring it back to normal, a regulator is required — an intelligent semiconductor device. This device is a unit developed at the University's Institute of Power Electronics that registers, regulates and prevents voltage surges. In addition, the device monitors emergency situations, such as a short circuit, phase interruption or overheating, and either cuts off the network from consumer devices, or prevents abnormal situations by available means.
According to Maxim Zharkov, deputy director of the Institute of Power Electronics at NSTU-NETI, in addition to the protective function, the voltage regulation unit is designed to store data and transfer it to the on—board information system, including the so-called "black box" - the flight recorder.
The development of NSTU-NETI is a modernization of domestic voltage regulation units, made according to the technical requirements of the chief designer of JSC "SEGZ" Alexey Vladimirovich Pozdeyeva. University scientists have improved a number of indicators. "Our block is smaller and faster. The weight and dimensions of the unit have been reduced by 2.5 times, and the assembly time has been reduced by 1.5 times. In addition, we have provided a digital interface part and improved the regulation indicators. Another advantage of the unit is that one device is able to cover a large class of power supply systems in terms of capacity. It is possible to work with serial aviation generators from 16 to 120 kW and even with promising 200-250 kW generators: the device has a large reserve and a range of regulation," Maxim Zharkov said.
The voltage regulation unit at NSTU-NETI was developed within the framework of the strategic project "Power Electronics and Intelligent Energy" of the Priority 2030 program. The device is suitable for all domestic aircraft that run on three—stage generators, such as civil and military equipment, as well as helicopters. It is possible to install the Novosibirsk development on Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
A threefold agreement has been reached on the joint refinement of the sample to aviation standards and on the industrial production of components of the voltage control unit for aircraft at the Plant of Microelectronic Technologies LLC in Izhevsk (Izhevsk Motor Plant Aksion-Holding JSC) with subsequent delivery to the enterprise of SAGZ JSC ( Sarapul) and other consumers. It is planned that a pilot batch of products will be released in 2025.