The experimental validation of a transient power electronic building block (PEBB) mathematical model

Abstract

This work adjusts and validates experimentally a previously developed volume element model based thermal management tool (vemESRDC) through the comparison of temperature measurements of a power electronic building block (PEBB) to numerical simulation results, featuring relevant electronic components of an all-electric ship. Primary components of interest in this simulation are: inductors, capacitors, AC and DC fuses, and a tiristors/fins set. The vemESRDC is a thermal simulation tool developed as part of the Electric Ship Research and Development Consortium (ESRDC) funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) that is capable of providing quick responses during early stages of ship design. The model adjustment was conducted by solving the inverse problem of parameter estimation for appropriate equipment properties using a total power dissipation of 4.8 kW in the PEBB. Next, the adjusted model was experimentally validated using the same PEBB with a power dissipation of 11.12 kW. The transient and steady state numerical results are shown to be in good quantitative and qualitative agreement with the experimental measurements within the experimental error margin. Transient simulations demonstrate that the components temperature vary significantly from one heating mode to another, whereas internal air average temperature varies only slightly for all heating modes, therefore not only average internal air temperature should be monitored for preserving equipment functionality. As a result, it is expected that vemESRDC could be used as a reliable tool for transient and steady state thermal management of heat generating packages (e.g., PEBB, future all-electric ship).