Innovations

Compact High-Power / High-Voltage Converters

Traditional high-power converters used on the power grid are large and heavy; in order to bring the advantages of sophisticated power conversion to electric vehicles, ships, and distributed applications, Princeton Power Systems is making advances in developing components and prototypes of highly power-dense converters, using advanced materials such as nanocrystalline ferrite core transformers, high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) switches and triggering mechanisms, power topologies, and cooling methods. Our engineers have designed MW-scale systems with power densities of 3.0 MW per m^3 - equivalent to a 1,000 kilowatt electronic transformer in the volume of an office desk.

Princeton Power Systems is developing MW scale High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems for remote areas using the same technology components. HVDC yields higher transmission efficiencies and easier and less expensive cabling, but available products are too expensive and large to be cost effective for small communities. PPS is developing scalable bidirectional converters, a true "DC Transformer", that will enable electrification of remote communities or islanded areas thereby reducing the dependence on costly transportation, storage, and consumption of fossil fuel.

AC-link™ Technology

AC-link is a unique semi-resonant circuit topology, exclusive to Princeton Power, with distinct advantages in certain applications requiring high-efficiency and premium power quality. The softswitching AC-link circuit is also uniquely able to work with silicon carbide devices in high-voltage applications, where a single SiC switch can replace a stack of ten or more silicon switches, leading to significantly better reliability and performance.

Silicon Carbide (SiC) Devices

As a wide bandgap material, SiC has the potential to yield switching devices that are significantly higher in efficiency, voltage capability, and temperature range, than today's state-of-the-art silicon devices. In partnership with the leading universities and companies in SiC device fabrication, Princeton Power has developed test beds, testing programs, and prototype converters based on advanced and proprietary SiC designs, for applications including high-efficiency motor controllers, high-voltage DC transmission, and shipboard electric distribution.