PESC '99 Rap Sessions

Tuesday, June 29

Power Electronics in Automobiles - The Next and Biggest Market for Consumer Power Electronics.

Moderator: John M. Miller, Ford Scientific Research Laboratory

During the past two decades the electronics content in automobiles has increased by 21%/yr, but it is primarily applied to information processing, rather than power management. Power electronics in computers and telecommunications costs between $0.10 and $0.15/Watt. This is too high for automotive functions by a factor of five. Can we really envision an electrified car in which steering, braking, climate control and engine fluid pumping are electric driven? Is the automobile ready for power electronics?

Technology & Applications of Switched Reluctance Motor Drives: Facts & Fiction

Moderator: Mehrdad Ehsani, Texas A&M University

The Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) drive is being built or considered for consumer products, manufacturing, computing, aerospace and land vehicles, from a few Watts to over 1MW! Early fears about noise, torque pulsation, efficiency, geometry etc have proven to be fictional. Today, the SRM drive is mature, applicable technology. This RAP session will address both real and fictional issues for the SRM. Questions will be answered directly if possible, or skillfully evaded if not!

The PEBB Program - Setting Future Directions for Power Electronics

Moderator: Narain G. Hingorani, NGH Power Electronics

The Power Electronics Building Block (PEBB) concept increases modularity and multi-functionality while reducing cost, losses, size, weight, and device stresses. It does this by integrating gate drives, bus work and passive components using advanced packaging, and standardized interfaces. The US Office of Naval Research has driven the PEBB Program, with the support and involvement of many others. Such integration has begun in commercial products. The concept has taken root and there is no turning back.