Superconductor Armature Winding for High Performance Electrical Machines

Abstract : The impact of the use of high/medium temperature superconductors for applications to generators was investigated in an all-superconducting machine. Superconductor armature windings in electrical machines bring many design challenges that need to be addressed en route to becoming a potentially viable solution for a modern rotating equipment. Foremost amongst the challenges are the cryogenic environment and the need to address the excessive ac losses. We used an integrated design to investigate the major technological issues that must be simultaneously satisfied for successful implementation of a robust, high power density, high efficiency superconducting generator. Thus, for example, the interaction between the superconducting cable design, ac losses in the SC, cable current/voltage/insulation, and cooling will be integrated in models were used to evaluate the sweet spots with regard to overall system configuration.