Coaxial Insulated Bus Pipe, a Low Magnetic Signature Solution for Medium Voltage Direct Current Shipboard Power Distribution

Coaxial insulated bus pipe (CIBP) technology offers a low magnetic signature solution for high power medium voltage direct current (MVDC) power distribution as desired by the U.S. Navy. Management and mitigation of shipboard magnetic signature is combat critical. Maintaining comparable space and weight savings provided by the standard insulated bus pipe (IBP) design, CIBP can act as an enabler for high energy applications including propulsion distribution, directed energy, advanced radar, and other new advanced weapon systems. Hepburn and Sons LLC, in collaboration with TEFELEN LLC and Stäubli Electrical Connectors, is leading an effort to design and develop CIBP distribution technology. This paper provides design concepts, manufacturing assessment including a proof-of-concept prototype production, preliminary design data, and plans moving forward.