Overview

Customer Specifications

The U.S. Army Ground Vehicles Systems Center (GVSC) is taking an iterative approach on electrification of the army fleet, including mild hybrids, series hybrid architectures and working toward full electrification in a future state. They are developing, integrating and testing essential electrification and hybrid electrification technologies in support of Next Generation Combat Vehicle platforms.  High efficiency, modularity, and flexibility are key drivers for these systems.

Solution

Calnetix Technologies’ Defense and Aerospace Division proposed to design and develop a 500 kW bi-directional Enercycle™ inverter for the RCV-M and OMFV Tracked Vehicle Variants as part of the Powertrain Electrification and Mobility (PEM) effort led by the GVSC. Calnetix will be utilizing SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technology, leveraging existing architectures and control schemes to meet the requirements specified by the U.S. Army.

Calnetix’s Enercycle™ inverters will drive traction motors and pair with hybrid electric generators to provide mobility and on-board electrical power to ground combat vehicles, enabling a step change in performance and operability. 

Challenges

The PEM inverter design must operate in extreme temperatures while using readily available components. Driven by the modular approach at the platform level, the inverter must also be capable of interfacing efficiently and effectively with a variety of electric motor and generator types, which requires unique sensing and controls development. The high voltage power distribution system requires safety interlocks to ensure safe operation, rapid fault mitigation and personnel safety.

Expected Results

The unique PEM inverter design will provide the following advantages:

• High-temperature operation
• Industry leading power density
• Power conversion efficiency of up to 98.5 percent
• Unmatched power levels and durability for the harsh environments of the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems.

Click here to learn more about our power conversion and motor control solutions.