US Navy Electrical Leap Forward...A Vision for the Future ONR Technology Development [video]

Abstract

Lynn Petersen, CAPT, USN (Ret), Abstract: The Naval Research and Development (R&D) Framework provides the structure and guidance through which Navy R&D can be aligned, allocated and accelerated to our Navy and Marine Corps Warfighters. A balance of basic science to advanced research spanning academia, industry and government is needed to implement the Navy R&D Framework vision. ONR technology development is needed to meet the future Power and Energy demand of the Navy and Marine Corps. Navy S&T through large scale demonstration is necessary to de-risk technology through its maturation process. Technology development in power electronic devices, electromagnetism, education, adaptive controls, machinery controls, medium voltage direct current risk identification/mitigation, and silicon carbide (SiC), are just a few of the many power and energy research areas, but are all necessary and essential, and working in conjunction with other Navy agencies and other services to mature the technology, in meeting the Navy's power and energy requirements of the future.

Stephen P. Markle, CDR, USN (Ret) Abstract Today the US Navy is on the cusp of revolutionary changes in how warfare at sea is conducted. This revolution is akin to the shift from wind to steam propulsion, taking the form of high-power pulsed mission systems. These include directed energy weapons like lasers and stochastic electronic warfare systems, radiated energy systems such as the Air and Missile Defense Radar, and advances in kinetic energy weapons including electro-magnetic railguns. Legacy power systems found on all existing ships do not possess the inherent electrical "inertia" to withstand the ramp-up/down (on/off), or ripple (pulsation) effects of complex power profiles of these advanced mission systems. These effects include excessive generator heating (thermal stress) and negative torque's (mechanical stress) applied to prime movers like diesel and gas turbine engines. If left unchecked, these impacts will lead to premature failure of power generating equipment. The engineering principles of stress and strain teach us that excessive stress leads to strain; strain in this case is breakdown of insulation and failure of mechanical components. To counter these harmful effects, power system buffering is required employing advanced controls techniques and energy storage; USN Program of Record termed Energy Magazine. For the future, the evolutionary Integrated Power and Energy System (IPES) offers the potential to provide revolutionary warfighting capability at an affordable cost. IPES as currently envisioned is a medium voltage direct current (MVDC) system derived from the DDG1000 1kVDC Integrated-Fight-Through-Power system combined with shared and distributed energy storage, and advanced controls with active state anticipation data linkage between machinery and combat systems. Near term R&D is centered on 12 kVDC distribution and control system architecture with advanced power generation to produce DC at the source via variable speed dual wound/dual output generators. The key is a stable bus of high power quality servicing highly dynamic mission loads and punishing propulsion demands while keeping the lights on.

John D. Stevens, CDR, USN Abstract: Abstract not available.