Project of a HTS Synchronous Machine Emulated by a Linear Motor

The substitution of conventional copper windings for coated conductor ones in high power electric machines allow smaller, lighter and more efficient motors and generators in comparison to those of same power class, among several other electrical advantages as higher stability. This work shows the development and tests of a linear HTS motor as the starting point to the design and construction of a high power HTS synchronous machine. Previous study of a linear motor is justified by its operational advantages and reliability, especially of the cryogenic systems. It also can emulate a small section of a larger machine, given sufficiently long diameter and number of pairs of poles. Single pancake racetrack coils made of SuperPower's HTS SCS4050i-ap in liquid nitrogen at 77 K compose the linear motor air core field windings. Their design, V-I self-field characterization and magnetic field mapping are displayed as well. Static Force-Position measures validate the simulated results. In this first approach, the armature is a typical iron-tooth core. Since the magnetic fields are bellow saturation point, an ironless armature is not yet justifiable. Future designs will include multi-layered racetrack coils field windings with higher magnetic flux density and a coreless armature.