Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker for Electric Aircraft

Enquiries should be addressed to Dr Xiaoze Pei ([Email Address Removed])

Project:
Electric and hybrid aircraft is a transformative technology to meet ambitious environmental emission and noise reduction targets. DC distribution network is attractive due to smaller footprint, improved distribution efficiency and it also eliminate the requirement of synchronous power sources. However, the fault current in dc network is difficult to clear because there is no natural zero-crossing of current. Therefore, a fast operation and lightweight dc circuit breaker is a key technology to directly manage dc faults in electric and hybrid aircraft.

This project aims to develop a fast operation dc circuit breaker with high operating efficiency. The project involves design, modelling and testing of a hybrid dc circuit breaker consisting of mechanical switch and solid-state switch. The student will design the key components and investigate the coordination between them to achieve optimised operation. The testing will be carried out at Bath’s Applied Superconductivity Laboratory.

Applicant:
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, an undergraduate first class degree or MSc distinction (or non-UK equivalent). English language entry requirements must be met at the time of application to be considered for funding, see https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/postgraduate-english-language-requirements/

Application:
Applications should be submitted marking clearly both the title of the project and the name of the project supervisor.

https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUEE-FP01&code2=0015

Anticipated start date: TBC