ANALYSIS OF A HIGH-POWER WATER-COOLED ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM

The incentives motivating advanced electric propulsion systems are fuel conservation, ease of reversibility, and freedom of arrangement. The current status of several approaches is reviewed to establish the reasons for the choice of water-cooled dc machines as the favored path for development. Progress in water-cooled generators and motors is described along with the research, development, and design directed toward construction of 2250-kW (3000 hp) demonstration generators and motors now building. Application to a twin-shaft 60-MW (80,000 shp) destroyer is analyzed, and a twin-shaft demonstration plant now being planned is described.