Superconducting Segmented Turbo-Electric Rotormachine FASSTER
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines face limitations in achieving high thrust-to-weight ratios, efficient aerodynamic performance across a wide flight envelope, and generating sufficient electrical power for advanced aircraft systems, particularly due to the constraints of traditional drive shafts and gearboxes, which restrict power output and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of a Fully Advanced Superconducting Segmented Turbo Electric Rotormachine (FASSTER) that employs dual counter-rotating superconducting rim driven electric machines, a segmented 13-stage electric compressor, and a 5-stage variable speed power generation turbine using embedded superconductors, eliminating the need for drive shafts and optimizing aerodynamic efficiency with counter-rotating bypass fans and an ion-plasma combustor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional drive shafts and gear boxes are used in gas turbine engines, then mechanical power transmission is achieved, but the thrust to weight ratio is limited to not more than 7 to 1 and power output is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive shafts and gear boxes with electromagnetic coupling systems. The generator and motor assemblies use magnetic fields to transmit power between rotating components, eliminating the need for physical mechanical connections. This substitution removes the weight and power restrictions imposed by mechanical transmission systems while enabling higher power outputs and improved thrust-to-weight ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the drive shaft and gearbox components from the engine architecture. By taking out these heavy mechanical transmission elements, the system achieves significant weight reduction and eliminates the power transmission bottlenecks that limited conventional engines to 7:1 thrust-to-weight ratios, allowing for much higher power density.
2Temperature
If ceramic components are used in the hot section to allow higher turbine inlet temperatures, then thermal efficiency increases, but the engine design remains constrained by 70 year old gas turbine technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes fundamental design parameters by transitioning from mechanical to electromagnetic power transmission. This parameter change enables the engine to operate at higher temperatures with ceramic components while achieving completely different performance characteristics and design flexibility, moving beyond the constraints of traditional gas turbine architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control capabilities through electromagnetic coupling, allowing independent rotation speeds of the generator and motor assemblies. This dynamic flexibility enables optimized operation across varying flight conditions and temperatures, unlike the rigid mechanical connections of traditional designs.
3Power
If electric current is used in superconducting coils to induce electric current in a magnetically levitated rotor, then electric power generation increases up to 4-5 times conventional architectures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of materials into superconducting states at low temperatures. By cooling superconducting coils below their critical temperature, the system achieves zero electrical resistance, enabling extremely high current densities and magnetic field strengths. This phase transition enables 4-5 times the electric power generation capability of conventional motors while the cryogenic infrastructure integrates into the engine design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite structures combining superconducting materials with cryogenic cooling systems and magnetic levitation components. These composite assemblies integrate multiple functions (power generation, levitation, cooling) into unified systems, managing the complexity through material and system integration rather than separate discrete components.
4Loss of energy
If a shaft-less design is implemented to remove drive shaft constraints, then aerodynamic efficiency is optimized and weight is reduced, but new engine turbomachinary utilizing high power electromagnetics is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drive shafts with electromagnetic coupling systems that allow independent rotation of compressor, combustor, and turbine sections. This substitution eliminates mechanical constraints on aerodynamic design, enabling optimized airflow paths and blade configurations without drive shaft interference, while the electromagnetic systems manage the increased operational complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves significantly higher thrust-to-weight ratios, improved aerodynamic efficiency, and the ability to generate multiple megawatts of electrical power, exceeding the capabilities of conventional engines by utilizing superconducting technology to enhance power density and reduce weight, leading to increased thermal efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus uses electric current in superconducting coils in the rotor and stator to induce electric current in a magnetically levitated rotor
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus uses electric current in superconducting coils in the rotor and stator
Implementation Method 3
dual, counter-rotating superconducting rim driven electric machine and bypass fan(s), a fully segmented 13 stage electric compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a high-power, fully-superconducting electric machine and major subcomponents including a dual (twin) superconducting, counter rotating, sub-scale bypass fan machine, 13-stage switched reluctance turbo-motor, electric compressor, annular ion-plasma combustor with electromagnetic electrodes, and a five stage superconducting counter-rotating turbine power generation machine which is capable of developing 2.5 MW per stage.