Numerical analysis of 40 MW HTS motor electromagnetic characteristics for ship electric propulsion

Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 20;13(1):20261. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-45770-4.

Abstract

In recent years, with the development of ship electric propulsion system, High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) motors have gained attention as a promising potential resolution due to their high-power density and the progression of cryogenic refrigeration technology. We present an electromagnetic characteristics numerical analysis of 40 MW, 120 rpm, HTS synchronous motor which is a semi-superconducting motor: in fact, it has a superconducting rotor composed of YBCO material and a conventional stator. Combining electric resistivity variation of rotor copper shielding sleeve in low temperature environment and YBCO coil critical current, the electromagnetic behavior of the 40 MW HTS synchronous motor is analyzed with non-ferromagnetic stator support structure. To assess the effects of varying stator winding currents and thickness on eddy current losses of the copper shielding sleeve, calculations were done, and a preliminary discussion was initiated. This study has certain reference significance for electromagnetic design and optimization of multi-ten MW HTS motors, especially used in ship electric propulsion system.