Multi-Pulse Rectifier Performance Improvement Using a High Efficiency Parallel Combined Harmonic Suppression Circuit for More Electric Aircraft Power Systems

In recent years, multi-pulse rectifiers (MPRs), which use passive harmonic suppression circuits (PHSCs), have been the focus of many researchers. They are considered an effective method to improve the performance of rectifiers in more electric aircraft power systems. In this paper, a high efficiency parallel combined harmonic suppression circuit (PCHSC) is suggested to enhance the performance of a 12-pulse power system rectifier (12-PPSR) and upgrade it to a 48-PPSR. The proposed solution is based on the combination of two single passive harmonic suppression circuits (SPHSCs) via an interphase reactor (IR). The first SPHSC includes a two-tapped IR (TTIR) with two additional diodes, and the second one consists of a four-tapped IR (FTIR) with two auxiliary diodes. Simulation results show that the THD of the proposed 48-PPSR input current under different loading conditions, under general application frequency (50 Hz), is always less than 3%, and complies with the IEEE-519 standard. Also, the proposed 48- PPSR input current THD and its harmonic spectrum under aerospace user frequencies (360Hz-800Hz) are also in accordance with the DO-160G standard. It should be noted that the validity of the simulation results is experimentally confirmed. A 10kW prototype of the proposed PCHSC-based 48-PPSR has been fabricated and tested under 400V 50Hz. Laboratory test results show that the THD of the input current at full load and light load (20% of the full load) is 1.85% and 2.57%, respectively. The results confirm the good performance of the suggested PCHSC to decrease the input current THD, as well as its low rating.