Pittsburgh Section

High-fidelity Power Injection from a Fuel Cell onto a Variable-Frequency AC Power Bus

Speaker: Kathleen Lentijo, Ph.D

Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Time: Social 6:30 PM, Program 7:00 PM

Place: Westinghouse Energy Center

RSVP: Mey Sen, senml@ieee.org.com by September 1, 2009

Organizers: Power & Energy Society/Industrial Applications Society.

Abstract:

Tighter aircraft emissions standards and the trend toward a more electric aircraft are forcing aircraft manufacturers towards alternative technologies to provide in flight power. Fuel cells are under consideration as a future source of electrical power; however, their integration onto aircraft presents many technical challenges. One electrical challenge is injecting the DC power from the fuel cell onto the existing variable-frequency distribution bus on aircraft through a DC to AC inverter. Such highly variable-frequency (360-800 Hz at +/-250Hz/s) presents interesting issues in phase detection and control for the DC to AC inverter.

The talk will have two parts: a discussion of the potential use of fuel cells in aircrafts, and the control and phase detection issues related to a DC source fed inverter supplying a variable-frequency AC power system.

Biography:

Kathleen Lentijo recently finished her PhD at the University of South Carolina with a focus on power electronics and control. Her dissertation was on the high fidelity injection of fuel cell power onto a variable-frequency AC bus. The work was part of a NSF U/ICRC with Boeing Co.

DIRECTIONS TO WESTINGHOUSE ENERGY CENTER

From Pittsburgh take Interstate 376 East (Parkway East). Take Exit 14A to Monroeville. Cross Business Rt 22 at the traffic light and proceed on Rt 48 South (Moss Side Blvd) approx ½ mile (two traffic lights). The 2nd traffic light is at a 4-way intersection with an Exxon station on the right. Turn left onto Northern Pike. Proceed approx 0.2 miles and turn right at the 1st traffic light onto Westinghouse Dr. Travel 0.7 miles (past the guard stand) to the 3 flags where the building’s main entrance is located. Parking in the evening will be plentiful. Use the main entrance and check with the security guards inside. You will be directed to the proper room for your meeting.

From the PA Turnpike, take Exit 57 (Monroeville). After the toll plaza, get in the left lane to get on Business Rt 22 West. At the first light, turn left onto Rt 48 South (Moss Side Blvd) and follow the above directions.