Design and development of a Low Profile, Highly Efficient Emergency LED Driver.
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
Aim:
To develop a compact and highly efficient Emergency LED driver.
Objectives:
1. Learn of and experiment with the existing technology utilized in Tridonic Emergency LED Drivers to improve understanding of the device.
2. Identify a more efficient type of DC-DC converter which can be implemented and investigate the feasibility of implementing said DC-DC Converter while considering cost.
3. Identify methods to reduce the size of the driver while considering cost.
Potential future objective depending on progress of project:
4. Investigate the optimal use of conventional and future energy storage options -
Key Milestone:
By the end of the first year, become accustomed with Tridonic Emergency LED drivers and learn more of Advanced Power Electronics through studying MSc/PhD level University modules. Research existing driver technology, including that of competitors. Begin to identify and experiment with potential methods to improve the efficiency of the driver to up to 90%, while considering the cost.
A number of areas have been identified by Tridonic as being of interest for improving their emergency lighting drivers. Firstly, the efficiency of the driver will be investigated, with the potential use of different types of DC-DC Converters to reduces losses and improving the accuracy of current sensors. Following from this, an investigation into improving the form factor of the driver, with the use of smaller relays to reduce the height of the driver, allowing a smaller form and other more compact components. Improving the efficiency in the previous step may also reduce the required battery cell count while maintaining the same run time for a full charge. Finally, if the first two areas have yielded sufficient results, an investigation into the energy storage will be conducted. This includes the method of charging, the use of existing batteries with higher energy densities such as LFP and LTO and future/developing energy storage options such as Supercapacitors.
To develop a compact and highly efficient Emergency LED driver.
Objectives:
1. Learn of and experiment with the existing technology utilized in Tridonic Emergency LED Drivers to improve understanding of the device.
2. Identify a more efficient type of DC-DC converter which can be implemented and investigate the feasibility of implementing said DC-DC Converter while considering cost.
3. Identify methods to reduce the size of the driver while considering cost.
Potential future objective depending on progress of project:
4. Investigate the optimal use of conventional and future energy storage options -
Key Milestone:
By the end of the first year, become accustomed with Tridonic Emergency LED drivers and learn more of Advanced Power Electronics through studying MSc/PhD level University modules. Research existing driver technology, including that of competitors. Begin to identify and experiment with potential methods to improve the efficiency of the driver to up to 90%, while considering the cost.
A number of areas have been identified by Tridonic as being of interest for improving their emergency lighting drivers. Firstly, the efficiency of the driver will be investigated, with the potential use of different types of DC-DC Converters to reduces losses and improving the accuracy of current sensors. Following from this, an investigation into improving the form factor of the driver, with the use of smaller relays to reduce the height of the driver, allowing a smaller form and other more compact components. Improving the efficiency in the previous step may also reduce the required battery cell count while maintaining the same run time for a full charge. Finally, if the first two areas have yielded sufficient results, an investigation into the energy storage will be conducted. This includes the method of charging, the use of existing batteries with higher energy densities such as LFP and LTO and future/developing energy storage options such as Supercapacitors.
Planned Impact
This CDT will produce power electronics specialists with industrial experience, and will equip them with key skills that are essential to meet the future power electronics challenges. They will be highly employable due to their training being embedded in industrial challenges with the potential to become future leaders through parallel entrepreneurial and business acumen training. As such, they will drive the UK forward in electric propulsion development and manufacturing. They will become ambassadors for cross-disciplinary thinking in electric propulsion and mentors to their colleagues. With its strong industrial partnership, this CDT is ideally placed to produce high impact research papers, patents and spin-outs, with support from the University's dedicated business development teams. All of this will contribute to the 10% year upon year growth of the power electronics sector in the UK, creating more jobs and added value to the UK economy.
Alongside the clear benefits to the economy this CDT will sustain and enhance the UK as a hub of expertise in this rapidly increasing area. UK R&D is set to shift dramatically to electrical technologies due to, amongst other reasons, the target to ban petrol/ diesel propulsion by 2040. Whilst the increase in R&D is welcome this target will be unsustainable without the right people to support the development of alternative technologies. This CDT will directly answer this skills shortage enabling the UK to not only meet these targets but lead the way internationally in the propulsion revolution.
Industry and policy stakeholders will benefit through-
a) Providing challenges for the students to work through
b) Knowledge exchange with the students and the academics
c) New lines of investigation/ revenue/ process improvement
d) Two way access to skills/ equipment and training
e) A skilled, challenge focused workforce
Society will benefit through-
a) Propulsion systems that are more efficient and require therefore less energy reducing cost of travel
b) Engineers with new skillsets working more cost-effective and more productive
c) Skilled workforce who are mindful considering the environmental and ethical impact
d) Graduates that understand equality, diversity and inclusion
Environment will benefit through-
a) Emission free cars powered by clean renewable energy increasing air quality and reducing global warming
b) Highly efficient planes reducing the amount of oil and therefore oil explorations in ecological sensitive areas such as the arctic can be slowed down, allowing sufficient time for the development of new alternative environmental friendly fuels.
c) Significant noise reduction leading to quiet cities and airports
Alongside the clear benefits to the economy this CDT will sustain and enhance the UK as a hub of expertise in this rapidly increasing area. UK R&D is set to shift dramatically to electrical technologies due to, amongst other reasons, the target to ban petrol/ diesel propulsion by 2040. Whilst the increase in R&D is welcome this target will be unsustainable without the right people to support the development of alternative technologies. This CDT will directly answer this skills shortage enabling the UK to not only meet these targets but lead the way internationally in the propulsion revolution.
Industry and policy stakeholders will benefit through-
a) Providing challenges for the students to work through
b) Knowledge exchange with the students and the academics
c) New lines of investigation/ revenue/ process improvement
d) Two way access to skills/ equipment and training
e) A skilled, challenge focused workforce
Society will benefit through-
a) Propulsion systems that are more efficient and require therefore less energy reducing cost of travel
b) Engineers with new skillsets working more cost-effective and more productive
c) Skilled workforce who are mindful considering the environmental and ethical impact
d) Graduates that understand equality, diversity and inclusion
Environment will benefit through-
a) Emission free cars powered by clean renewable energy increasing air quality and reducing global warming
b) Highly efficient planes reducing the amount of oil and therefore oil explorations in ecological sensitive areas such as the arctic can be slowed down, allowing sufficient time for the development of new alternative environmental friendly fuels.
c) Significant noise reduction leading to quiet cities and airports
People |
ORCID iD |
| Volker Pickert (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Ben Stainthorpe (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/S024069/1 | 31/03/2019 | 29/09/2027 | |||
| 2446512 | Studentship | EP/S024069/1 | 30/09/2020 | 29/09/2024 | Ben Stainthorpe |
| Description | This award has investigated the efficiency profile of an industry prominent Emergency LED driver (which supplies power to LED lighting units upon failure of the mains power to allow a safe exit from the building) A loss breakdown was produced which highlights the key energy losses of the device. This began a series of developments which enabled efficiency improvements in the device. A final prototype driver is in development for the industrial sponsor containing several ideas produced over the course of the award which will result in a highly efficiency driver. In some cases (1.5W, 54V operating conditions), this driver should increase efficiency from 75% to around 88%, using the learnings and developments from this award. The key developments are: -A novel 'Quasi Resonant Tapped Inductor Boost Converter' topology which reduces switching losses, allowing a more power dense product. This is not included in the prototype. A patent is in the process of being filed for this. -A novel 'integrated boost SEPIC LVPS' topology which reduces losses in the low voltage circuit of the driver. This is included in the prototype. A patent is in the process of being filed for this. A conference paper was published (see IEEE link below). A Journal paper is in development related to this, with the hope for later submission. -A novel 'control method for a BCM, Valley Switching, Synchronous Tapped Inductor Boost Converter topology' which reduces losses in the output diode of the converter. This is included in the prototype. A patent is in the process of being filed for this. A conference paper is in development related to this, with the hope for later submission. -Some efficiency results for the use of GaN devices in the application were obtained. A conference paper is in development related to this, with the hope of later submission. |
| Exploitation Route | The main outcomes will be used in a prototype for the industrial sponsor. If found effective, they may be used to develop a new product. In addition, 1 conference paper has been published and further patents and publications are intended from the work, which will enable Engineers to learn from the findings and develop them further. |
| Sectors | Electronics Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10173259 |
| Description | See key findings section (industrial sponsor impact) |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |