Review and Analysis of Potential Safety Challenges Associated with Electromagnetic Interference for Future Electrified Aero Engines

With the introduction of all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems into the aviation sector, to meet the Flightpath 2050 goals, a number of challenges arise. The immediate topic becomes the development of enabling technologies and the modification of existing technologies to the stringent requirements of aviation. It is necessary to maximise power density, to increase reliability and to tailor technologies towards the environmental conditions associated with the cruise altitude as well as hottest day and coldest day requirements. However, the introduction of electrification to aviation the design space for aircraft is being opened up giving way to novel aircraft and propulsion system integration concepts. An iterative design process will allow for a holistic approach to the development of aircraft, their electrified propulsion architectures as well as the components therein. Safety and reliability are key design and decision-making metrics, alongside high efficiency and power density. One aspect of ever-rising importance is the safeguard of electromagnetic compatibility given the high level of bus voltage being considered and the amount of electric current necessary. In addition, the number of electrical components on board increase and thereby the number of potential sources and sinks of interference. This work gives an overview of the various challenges associated with high-voltage and electrification in terms of electromagnetic interference in an aircraft. These potentials for interference were first reviewed and analysed in terms of their potential coupling paths: capacitive, inductive, conductive and radiated coupling. Furthermore, a diagram is presented to map the interactions of various emissions and the potential sinks to show their relevance for the overall system design. To identify the design level and design stage at which the interference potentials and their coupling pathways need to be considered, they were categorised by the system level at which their influence is most prominent. Means of mitigation and prevention of electromagnetic interference as well as suggestions regarding design considerations to be applied in an early system design stage are being presented in this paper. In the case of many power electronics components a trade-off will be the reliability and electromagnetic compatibility versus achieving high power density. Enabling zero-emission aviation will require finding the optimal overall system design