IEEE-PEAL Chapter Technical Talk: Arc Fault Technology

Who: Dennis Grosjean

Topic: Arc Fault Technology

Biography: Dennis Grosjean has been involved in the technology of gas-discharge systems since 1970. Early work
was on the development of high-rep-rate gas-discharge lasers including development of high-power electrical
switching systems as well as studies of seed compounds for gas-discharge enhancements. Later work involved health
monitoring of motor-driven systems. He has been active over the last eight years in technology related to arc and
partial-discharge phenomena with emphasis on aerospace environments. He holds AA, BS (physics), and MBA
degrees and was awarded a patent for arc fault detection in 2018

Abstract: Historically, electrical arcing has proved beneficial to society with such systems as high-intensity arc
lighting and even early radio-frequency generation. In many instances, however, arcing activity has been
detrimental, leading to errant power escape resulting in fires, loss of property, and loss of life. Unwanted arcing is
especially dangerous in aerospace environments where there are few avenues for escape after loss of control or
initiation of a fire. As the aerospace industry continues to advance, the number of electrically powered systems is
greatly increasing resulting in a large amount of electrical wiring and interconnects as well as available electrical
energy. Although the design process includes procedures intended to avoid electrical discharge, aging and
unanticipated failures can result in unwanted arcing.
The presentation discusses causes, effects, and remediation techniques of electrical arcing with emphasis from the
perspective of the aerospace and automotive industries. This includes electrical discharges in air at pressures and
temperatures corresponding to the range of altitude from sea level to 60,000 Ft. Arcing is demonstrated with high-
speed videos of realistic scenarios. Strengths and weaknesses of detection techniques are discussed

When: Thursday, Nov 3 5:30 pm Light Buffet and Refreshments (complimentary), 6:00 pm Presentation Begins


Where: University of Dayton Research Institute, Curran Place – Meyer room (DJC PLACE N1650 MEYER ROOM )
Meyer room is close to north side of the parking lot upon entering Curran Place. Please enter through the north
side of bldg and the Meyer room is on the left side of the hallway
1700 South Patterson Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409 (originally NCR-HQ building, River Campus)

Distinguished Lecture: SMART Power Flow Controllers – A Necessity for Future Power Grid

Who: Dr. Kalyan Sen , President & CTO of Sen Engineering Solutions, Inc.

Date:  Thursday, July 7 , 2022

When:  5:30 pm to 7:30 pm EDT  (UTC-05:00)

Place: University of Dayton Research Institute, Curran Place :  Room Number: Rm. S1050 (Auditorium)
1700 South Patterson Blvd
Dayton, Ohio
United States 45409

RSVP:  Please reply through the PEAL website (https://r2.ieee.org/dayton-peal/rsvp/) Questions should be directed to Kevin Yost (kevin.yost.1@us.af.mil) or Bang Tsao (bang.tsao@udri.udayton.edu).

Abstract: Power flow control techniques have been practiced, from using inductors, capacitors, transformers and load tap changers in the earlier days of electrical engineering to power electronics-based solutions in recent years. Even though the costs and complexities of the available solutions vary widely, the basic underlying theory of power flow control is still the same as it always has been. The question is which solution one should employ. The answer depends on knowing what the true need is. The power industry’s pressing need for the most economical ways to transfer bulk power along a desired path may be met by building new transmission lines, which is a long and costly process. Alternately, it may be quicker and cheaper to utilize the existing transmission lines more efficiently. The key is to identify the underutilized transmission lines and harness their dormant capacity to increase the power flows to the lines’ thermal limits.

The presentation is designed to provide the basic principles of power flow control theory, an overview of the most commonly used power flow controllers, and future trends. The audience will hear from an expert who actually designed and commissioned a number of power electronics-based FACTS controllers since their inceptions in the 1990s.

Speaker’s Biography: Kalyan Sen is the President & Chief Technology Officer of Sen Engineering Solutions, Inc. (www.sentransformer.com) that specializes in developing SMART power flow controllers—a functional requirements-based and cost-effective solution. Kalyan worked 33 years in academia and industry. He was a key member of the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) development team at the Westinghouse Science & Technology Center for which he became a Westinghouse Fellow Engineer. He contributed to concept development, simulation, design, and commissioning of FACTS projects at Westinghouse. He conceived some of the basic concepts in power flow control technology for which he was elevated to the IEEE Fellow grade with the citation: for the development and application of power flow control technology. He is the Co-inventor of the Sen Transformer.

Kalyan received BEE (first class honors, 1982), MSEE (1983), and PhD (1987) degrees, all in Electrical Engineering, from Jadavpur University (India), Tuskegee University (USA), and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA), respectively. He also received an MBA (2012) from Robert Morris University (USA). He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania and New York.

Kalyan has authored or coauthored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, 8 issued patents, 2 books, and 3 book chapters in the areas of power flow control and power electronics. He is the Coauthor of the book titled, Introduction to FACTS Controllers: Theory, Modeling, and Applications, IEEE Press and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2009, which is also published in Chinese and Indian paperback editions. His second book is titled, Power Flow Control Solutions for a Modern Grid using SMART Power Flow Controllers (ISBN: 9781119824350), IEEE Press and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2021.

Kalyan has served many organizations. He has been serving as an IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Distinguished Lecturer since 2002. In that capacity, he has given presentations on power flow control technology more than 150 times in 16 countries. He is an AdCom Member of the Power Electronics Society (PELS) and serves as the PELS Regions 4-6 Chair. He is the IEEE Division II Representative to the Board of Governors of Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) and serves as the Students Activities Committee Mentor.

In 2003, he reestablished the Pittsburgh Chapters of the PES and the Industry Applications Society (IAS). Both Chapters received the “Outstanding Large Chapter” awards for their activities in 2004. He served as the Founding Chair of IEEE Pittsburgh PELS Chapter that received the Best Chapter Award in 2015. Under his Chairmanship, the IEEE Pittsburgh Section received the “Outstanding Large Section” award for its activities in 2005. He has been serving as the Special Events Chair of the IEEE Pittsburgh Section for a decade. He received the IEEE Pittsburgh Section Outstanding Volunteer Service Award and PES Outstanding Engineer Award (2004). His other past positions included Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (2002 – 2007), Technical Program Chair of the 2008 PES General Meeting in Pittsburgh, Chapters, and Sections Activities Track Chair of the 2008 IEEE Sections Congress in Quebec City, Canada, PES R2 Representative (2010 and 2011) and Member of the IEEE Center for Leadership Excellence (CLE) Committee (2013, 2014). He is an inaugural class (2013) graduate of the IEEE CLE Volunteer Leadership Training (VOLT) program. He is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) who led District 13 of Toastmasters International (TI) as its Governor to be the 10th-ranking District in the world in 2007-8. He has been serving as a Boy Scouts of America Leader for almost a decade. For more details, click on http://ieee-pes.org/images/files/pdf/chapters/archive/April2009_Chapters_Sen_PES_Volunteer.pdf.

Email: sentransformer@yahoo.com

Distinguished Lecturer: Wide Bandgap (WBG) Power Electronics Systems for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Who: Dr. Brij N. Singh, John Deere Inc., USA

Date:  Friday, August 13 , 2021

When:  2:00 pm EDT  (GMT-4)

Place:  (Virtual Meeting) Zoom — meeting info far below

RSVP:  Please reply through the PEAL website ( https://r2.ieee.org/dayton-peal/rsvp/ ) Questions should be directed to Dong Cao (dcao02@udayton.edu) or Kevin.J.Yost@ieee.org

Abstract: This presentation will cover publicly known information on the 200 kW 1050 VDC silicon carbide (SiC) inverter technology development project in John Deere. The SiC inverter converts vehicle engine power into electrical power needed for the permanent-magnet-motor based electric powertrain used in heavy-duty construction and mining vehicles. The presentation will cover design, development, and test verification of WBG technology deployed in the successful realization of a power-dense (43 kW/Liter) high-temperature (suitable for 115°C coolant) high-efficiency (> 98% over entre range of coolant) SiC dual-inverter.

Keywords: SiC, Motor Drive, Inverter, high temperature

Speaker’s Bio:  Dr. Brij N. Singh is a Technical Fellow – Power Electronics Engineering in John Deere Inc., USA. He has earned BE degree in Electrical Engineering from Madan Mohan Malviya Technical University, Gorakhpur, ME degree from   Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, and Ph.D. degree from Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.

In 1996, Dr. Singh joined the École de Technology Supérieure, Université du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada, as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. In 1999, he joined Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada as a Research Fellow. In 2000, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, as an Assistant Professor.

In 2007, Dr. Singh has joined John Deere Inc., USA as a power electronics staff engineer, where he has led and supported power electronics technology development projects for 644 and 944 hybrid loaders’ electrification. In 2011, he joined John Deere Advanced Technology Department and has executed R&D projects related to high-temperature power-dense high-efficiency power electronics systems including wide bandgap (WBG) power conversion technologies.

In September 2020, Dr. Singh was named as the John Deere Region 4 Public Funding Manager with job title as R4 Manager External Relationships. As the R4 Manager External Relationships, Dr. Singh is tasked to lead John Deere Emerging Technology projects including successful execution of government and non-government funded projects in collaboration with universities, government labs, non-Deere industries. Emerging Technology projects led by Dr. Singh are likely to be applicable to John Deere Tech Stack, Production Systems, Product Lifecycle Systems, Construction and Road Building. Various projects led by Dr. Singh are destined to reduce greenhouse gas emission and carbon footprint reduction, resulting in a sustainable environment for the society.

Dr. Singh has published over 90 research papers in various Journals including IEEE Transactions and IET Journals. He has 28 approved US patents, one trade secret, and over a dozen pending patents.

In Tulane, Dr. Singh received four IEEE/Eta Kapa Nu teaching awards for outstanding instructions in electrical engineering. In John Deere, he has received three innovation and one collaboration awards for product and technology development works. Dr. Singh is the winner of the 2020 IEEE Power Electronics Emerging Technology Award. In Feb 2020, Dr. Singh was awarded the “Title of John Deere Fellow” for exemplary contributions to the power electronics engineering. He is a senior member of the IEEE and lives with his family in West Fargo, North Dakota, USA.

IEEE PEAL Talk 13 Aug 2021_Brij_Singh_John_Deere

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://udayton.zoom.us/j/82015650371?pwd=OE1XZUNPR0hwVFFvRE1JL2xwVjRlUT09

 

Virtual Presentation: Exploring the Physical Limitations of Electric Machines

Who: Dr. David Torrey, General Electric – Global Research Center

Date: Monday, August 2, 2021

When:  5:00 pm EDT (GMT-4)

Place:  (Virtual Meeting) Zoom — https://udayton.zoom.us/j/85699356162?pwd=MnYrbGdBNDBsaUNzMDg4eDNNWEl2dz09

When:  5:00 pm EDT  (GMT-4)

RSVP:  Please reply through the PEAL website (https://r2.ieee.org/dayton-peal/rsvp/) Questions should be directed to Kevin.J.Yost@ieee.org

Abstract: Motivated by a deceptively simple expression for the power conversion by an electric machine, we will develop from first principles a deeper understanding of what ultimately limits electric machine performance and where targeted research can diminish these limitations.  Using motivating examples from aviation and renewable energy, we will examine the issues of how to balance the competing structural, thermal, and field constraints on an electric machine while driving toward increased torque and power densities.  Choices to be discussed include whether it is better to separate constraints or to simultaneously address constraints through co-design.

Keywords: Permanent magnet machines, superconducting generators, hybrid electric flight, boundary layer ingestion, insulation systems, thermal management systems, direct liquid cooling

Speaker’s Bio: David Torrey is a Senior Principal Engineer in the Electrical Systems organization at GE Research.  His research interests are in the design and control of electric machines, particularly within the context of integrated energy conversion systems.  His application experience ranges from machine design for subsea hydrocarbon pumping, electric submersible pumps, to design of next-generation generators for offshore wind turbines, to design of engine-embedded generators to support hybrid electric aircraft.  He holds several awarded and pending patents in the fields of electric machines, power electronics, and control related to applications in transportation, renewable energy, oil and gas, and micro-grids.  He has authored over 40 journal papers, over 70 conference papers, 3 book chapters, and one textbook in these areas.  He supervised 13 doctoral theses while on the faculty at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  He is a fellow of IEEE and IET.

IEEE PEAL Talk 02 Aug 2021_David_Torrey_GE-GRC

Social Event: Christmas Dinner Social

WHEN:
Monday, December 16, 2019
5:00 – 9:00 PM

WHERE:
Carillon Brewing Company 1000 Carillon Blvd
Dayton, OH 45409
(Please park in front of the Main Building)

DETAILS:
Appetizers and one free beverage of your choice will be served starting at 5:00 pm followed by a Dinner Buffet. Afterward there will be complimentary admission for you and your guest to a Carillon Christmas at Carillon Park.


Please RSVP at the IEEE PEAL Website: http://r2.ieee.org/dayton-peal/rsvp/
If you have any questions please contact Bang Tsao at bang.tsao@udri.udayton.edu

(Click the download link below for the official event flier)

IEEE PEAL 16 Dec 2019_Social (002)Download

Event Announcement: Sixty Tips in Sixty Minutes: A Walk Through of Circuit Design Pitfalls and Remedies

Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Place: University of Dayton Research Institute, Curran Place – Rm. S1050 (Auditorium)
1700 South Patterson Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409 (originally NCR-HQ building, River Campus)

When: 5:45 pm Light Buffet and Refreshments (complimentary), 6:15 pm Presentation Begins RSVP: IEEE members may bring one non-IEEE member as a guest. Please reply through the PEAL website (https://r2.ieee.org/dayton-peal/rsvp/) ASAP, whether attending as self or self plus guest. Questions should be directed to Bang Tsao (bang.tsao@udri.udayton.edu).

Abstract: Designing and working with electronic systems is rarely so strait forward as implementing, in the real world, what exists on a paper schematic. The devil is often in the details that reside beyond design assumptions and known quantities. Be it due to ground loops, transient voltages, leakage currents, stray capacitance, or series inductance, circuits that should “just work” often do not or must be modified to achieve operational objectives.
Join us as we discuss tips, tricks, and wisdom surrounding a selection of pitfalls and remedies useful for anyone working with electric or electronic circuits.

IEEE-PEAL-11-Dec-2019_Walter-1Download

Click the download link above for further information.

GaN and SiC Switched Tank Converter for Data Center and Electric Vehicle

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Speaker: Professor Dong Cao, University of Dayton

Abstract: The modernization of the current power grid faces several challenges including optimally integrating multiple energy sources amid more difficult demand/source variability and cybersecurity concerns. In this talk, I will present an overview of the current energy source power management techniques which includes multiple layers; from local power electronics/field control to optimization approaches such as economic dispatch, optimal power flow, and unit commitment. In addition, I will discuss a few of the current challenges and research directions with regards to the latter, such as the dealing with nonconvex problems (e.g. optimal power flow) and optimization in very large power networks. Lastly, the applications of these methods to shipboard and aircraft microgrids will also be discussed.

IEEE-PEAL-13-Nov-2019_Cao-1Download

For further event details click the download link above.

Event Announcement: Superconductivity Technology for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft – July 9th, 2018

PDF Details – PEAL Technical Speaker-9July2018

Subject Superconducting/cryogenic technologies for hybrid-electric aerospace propulsion

Who Prof. Alexander C. “Sandy” Smith; School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Abstract There is significantly growing interest in hybrid-electric technologies for aerospace application. This can extend from low-level ‘more-electrification’ to improve efficiency, flexibility, and controllability to high-level ‘hybrid-electric’ concepts that use electrical machine propulsion (multiple-fan concepts) with gas turbines now driving the generators that provide the propulsion power. Several recent studies of hybrid-electric aerospace concepts have shown that these could be feasible using today’s technologies for small aircraft. The key performance targets for electrical machine propulsion in aerospace are efficiency and high power densities. For scale-up to larger platforms, there needs to be a significant step-change in the electrical machine power densities as well as improving efficiencies. One of the key technologies that could potentially create a step change is superconductivity. Superconductivity is still an immature technology for aerospace application, but it is developing. There are certainly challenges but it has the potential to build superconducting machines with power densities significantly higher than the latest machine technologies – from existing technologies at 20kW/kg to the aerospace targets of 50+ kW/kg.