GE Aviation Receives U.S. Army Contract for Silicon Carbide Power Electronics Research & Development

December 14, 2015 | By Business Wire News

DAYTON, Ohio

GE Aviation received a contract for the research and development of silicon carbide-based power electronics supporting the high-voltage next generation ground vehicle electrical power architecture for the U.S. Army.

“GE continues to invest in electric power technologies and specifically in Silicon Carbide which enables significant improvements in size, weight and power,” said Vic Bonneau, president of Electrical Power Systems for GE Aviation. “Our electric power team has successfully demonstrated various types of power conversion products that have led to high temperature applications of silicon carbide technology. We’re taking this to the next level to deliver prototypes that demonstrate these improved capabilities in the field.”

The $3.4 million contract consists of an 18-month development program that will demonstrate the benefits of GE’s Silicon Carbide MOSFET technology in two critical systems: a 35 kW main engine cooling fan controller and a 3kW coolant pump controller. The hardware will be more efficient than present day silicon based systems and will allow better management of the vehicle’s available on-board power, increasing mission capability.

The silicon carbide technology enables integration of the SiC Controller electronics onto the engine cooling fan. This integration eliminates what is typically a separate liquid-cooled, Motor Drive line replaceable unit (LRU) and related cooling hoses and interconnecting cables, thereby simplifying vehicle installation.

Global Embedded Technologies, Inc. in Farmington Hills, Michigan has been selected to configure, integrate, and supply the controllers for these applications. Marvin Land Systems in Inglewood, California has been selected to provide the main engine cooling fan and coolant pump.

The contract is in support of the U.S. ARMY’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) next generation vehicle electrical power architecture leap ahead technology development.

DCS Corporation is the contracting agent for US Army TARDEC. DCS develops advanced technology solutions and provides acquisition management expertise for US Army aviation, ground vehicle, soldier systems, and missile systems.

DCS provides management solutions to Government agencies in the national security sector to ensure the success of each client’s mission and to actively contribute to the well-being of the Nation. http://www.dcscorp.com/Our-Customers/US-Army.aspx

GE’s Global Research Center is leading the development of silicon carbide MOSFET technology across multiple industries including Aviation, Healthcare and Energy in particular. GE Aviation is an operating unit of GE and a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, avionics, digital and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.geaviation.com