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Technical Dialogue

Power Electronics for Aerospace

D23.9 - A Hybrid Three-Level Buck Converter with Flying Supercapacitor for High Load Current Surge Capability using Peak Current Mode Control

Thursday, March 20, 2025
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET
Location: Level One, Hall A3
In aircraft power systems, many non-propulsive loads require large bursts of current, such as electrohydrostatic actuators for positioning control surfaces. Hybridised energy storage systems utilising batteries and supercapacitors prove an attractive option for supplying power systems with highly variable loads; however, such systems require many more components, increasing mass and volume. In this digest the use of a hybrid three-level buck converter is proposed featuring an integrated flying supercapacitor for combined energy storage and multilevel operation, capable of providing large pulses of power. A new algorithm is implemented to manage current-limiting and level selection, along with Peak Current Mode (PCM) control, to facilitate high load current surge capability. Advantages include lower component count, short-circuit protection, and reduced filter size. This paper explains the operation and functionality of the proposed topology. Simulation results obtained through MATLAB/Simulink modeling validate the proposed topology and control strategy, demonstrating stable operation during load surges and current- limiting behavior.