Reflections on the Preliminary Electrical Power System Design for a Large Transportation Airship

This paper examines the preliminary design of the Electrical Power System of the CargoLifter CL -160 airship . It includes a review of key decisions made relative to the electrical system and refle cts upon the design path taken. A brief review of the unique political and financial environment , which enabled a newly formed CargoLifter to attempt such an ambitious development project , is also provided. Design trade studies are discussed , such as the use of integrated -drive generators relative to constant -speed -drive unsynchronized generators, use of a 230 VAC 400 Hz system, and the replacement of the ai rship’s hydraulic system with an expanded 1. 4 MVA electrical system. Considerations such as power quality, direct effects of lightning, and efforts to minimize variations in airship buoyancy are also discussed.

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