Light Weight, High Power, High Voltage Dc/dc Converter Technologies

Power conditioning weight reductions by orders of magnitude will be required to enable megawatt power level space systems envisioned by the Strategic Defense Initiative, the Air Force, and NASA. An interagency program been initiated to develop an 0.1 kg/kW DC/DC converter technology base for these future space applications. Three contractors, Hughes, General Electric, and Maxwell Labs, are in the first phase of a competitive program to develop a megawatt DC/DC converter. Researchers at NASA Lewis Research Center are also investigating innovative converter topology control. A brief description of each of the concepts to meet the ambitious goals of this program will be presented.