Design of 1 kW Simplified Stirling Controller Using Capacitor-Based Power Factor Correction

Christopher B Barth; Donguk Max Yang; Max F Chaiken

NASA NTRS · 20210010322

Design of 1 kW Simplified Stirling Controller Using Capacitor-Based Power Factor Correction

Christopher B Barth·Donguk Max Yang·Max F Chaiken

Abstract

Free-piston Stirling convertors hold potential for efficient, reliable thermal to electric power conversion, provided they are paired with a robust controller. This paper outlines work underway on a system-level optimization of a kW controller. Using simplified control and passive power factor correction (PFC) this design explores the possibility of reducing programmatic risk through system simplification. Efficiency is improved through incorporating wide-bandgap gallium nitride (GaN) switches, and PFC volume is minimized through the use of polymer multi-layer capacitors. This work is aimed at exploring new approaches for future Stirling space power concepts.

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Christopher B Barth, Donguk Max Yang, Max F Chaiken. Design of 1 kW Simplified Stirling Controller Using Capacitor-Based Power Factor Correction. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20210010322

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