DC Current Redistributor for Compensating Unbalanced Loads and Interfacing Energy Storage Systems in More Electrical Aircraft

Bipolar dc grid in More Electric Aircraft (MEA) is expecting to face an increase of loading, which may lead to load unbalancing due to the load characteristics. Nonetheless, the bipolar dc grid has to comply with the present standards regarding the current unbalance between its positive and negative poles. In this context, a dc current redistributor is proposed, which is to be applied in embedded dc grids which integrate dc loads to the MEA environment. The dc current redistributor has the capability to balance the positive and negative poles currents on the bipolar dc grid of MEA. Moreover, due to its circuit topology, the dc current redistributor can also perform the interface to an emergency dc energy storage systems when loss of the line in the dc grid occurs. Mathematical models, analysis, and simulations are carried out to confirm the dynamics of the dc current redistributor when compensating unbalanced currents and supplying energy in loss of lines in dc grids.