Optimization of a Cryogen-Free Superconducting Prototype Generator With YBCO Field Windings

This is a follow-up study of the cryogen-free superconducting prototype generator with YBCO field windings. The previous paper had introduced the design of the structure, cryogenic system and electromagnetic characteristics of the prototype machine, whose operating temperature was 30 K, maximum field current was 100 A and rotating speed was from 10 to 30 rpm. In this paper, the optimization of the airgap magnetic field and the stability of superconducting magnet have been carried out. For the purpose of increasing utilization of the magnetic field of superconducting windings, its support structure and vacuum chamber of the cryostat had been upgraded in order to reduce the physical airgap between the armature teeth and the vacuum chamber room temperature wall from 10 mm to 2 mm. In addition, a new coil curing method, vacuum impregnation process with paraffin, had been applied while the YBCO coil fabrication, to improve its stability. The performance properties of the optimized system as well as the comparison between FEM simulation and experimental results are finally presented.