Novel model of rotor design to increase the air gap flux of superconducting generator

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate a novel rotor design model to improve the technical performance of a superconducting synchronous generator. Design/methodology/approach Superconducting synchronous generators with a modular rotating cryostat for a single coil of the superconducting winding instead of an old-style single cryostat in which all rotor components are cold are briefly discussed. Subsequently, a new method of cryostat arrangement in the magnetic system of a rotor is considered. Different options were compared for the cryostat placement. The advantages of the novel rotor design model are noted. Findings In the novel rotor design model, the leakage coefficient of the excitation winding decreases, and the air gap magnetic flux increases, which will save on a superconductor material. Research limitations/implications For the purposes of this investigation, a finite element study of flux distribution in the cross section of a superconducting synchronous generator with a 10 MW rating at 10 rpm was conducted, and the magnetic fluxes and air gap flux densities were obtained for different modes. For direct-drive superconducting synchronous generators with distributed winding and different pole numbers, the calculations of magnetic fluxes were carried out by calculating the magnetic conductivities. Originality/value A new method of the cryostat arrangement in the magnetic system of a rotor has been classified as an invention and was protected by a patent. This paper is directly applicable to the field of superconducting synchronous generators.