Optimized Fabrication Process and PD Characteristics of MVDC Multilayer Insulation Cable Systems for Next Generation Wide-Body All-Electric Aircraft

Abstract

For wide-body all-electric aircraft (AEA), a high-power-delivery, low-system-mass electric power system (EPS) necessitates advanced cable technologies. Increasing voltage levels enhances power density yet poses challenges in aircraft cable design, including managing arc-related risks, partial discharges (PDs), and thermal management. Developing multilayer multifunctional electrical insulation (MMEI) systems for aircraft applications is a feasible option to tackle these challenges and reduce the size and mass of cable systems. This approach involves selecting layers of different materials to address specific challenges. Our prior research concentrated on the modeling and simulation-based design of MMEI systems for MVDC power cables. Experimental tests are essential for determining the behavior of PDs under varying pressure conditions. Also, the dielectric strength and time to failure of the designs need to be assessed. In this work, the fabrication process of a down-selected MMEI flat configuration is discussed and analyzed. This paper analyzes the fabrication process of power cables employing MMEI configurations and evaluates the PD characteristics of down-selected ARC-SC-T-MMEI cable samples. This study presents a detailed analysis of the characteristics of PD under atmospheric and low-pressure conditions, which will provide essential insights into the design of MVDC cables for future AEA applications.

Keywords

• aircraft electrification
• all-electric aircraft (AEA)
• low pressure
• electric power system (EPS)
• MVDC power cable
• multilayer multifunctional electrical insulation (MMEI)