Modular Superconducting Generator Design for Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional superconducting wind generators are unreliable, prone to single point failures, and difficult to transport, install, and repair due to their large and fragile cryostats, torque tubes, and high cost, making them unsuitable for high-power wind energy applications beyond 5-20 MW.
Innovation Solution
A modular superconducting generator design with multiple small cryostats and a warm rotor structure, where only the coils are cryogenically cooled, allowing for redundancy and easy on-site repair, and using MgB2 superconductors to reduce costs and weight, eliminating the need for large cryostats and torque tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional superconducting designs with large single cryostats are used, then superconducting efficiency is achieved, but the system becomes unreliable and prone to single point failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large cryostat into multiple smaller independent cryostats, each housing separate superconducting coils. This segmentation eliminates single point failures because a failure in one cryostat does not affect the others, thereby improving system reliability while reducing structural complexity of each individual cryostat unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational temperature parameter by introducing a warm rotor structure where only the coils are cryogenically cooled rather than the entire rotor assembly. This parameter change reduces the size and complexity of the cryostat structure while maintaining superconducting efficiency in the coils, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and structural complexity.
2Power
If large direct drive superconducting generators are designed, then generator power output increases, but weight and transportation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal state parameter of the rotor structure from fully cryogenic to warm (ambient temperature), cooling only the superconducting coils themselves. This parameter change dramatically reduces the weight of the rotating assembly while maintaining high power output capability, as the majority of the rotor structure no longer requires cryogenic cooling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cryogenic cooling requirement to apply only to the essential superconducting coils rather than the entire rotor assembly. This selective cooling approach reduces overall system weight while maintaining the high power density needed for large-scale wind energy applications.
3Reliability
If traditional superconducting materials such as YBCO and BSCCO are used, then superconducting performance is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter to higher values that enable the use of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductors instead of expensive low-temperature materials like YBCO and BSCCO. This parameter change from cryogenic to higher temperature operation dramatically reduces material costs while maintaining adequate superconducting performance for wind generator applications.
4Ease of repair
If modular design with multiple cryostats is implemented, then ease of repair and redundancy improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the generator into modular units with independent cryostats that can be individually replaced or repaired on-site. While this creates multiple components, each module is designed to be self-contained and interchangeable, simplifying the repair process despite the increased number of parts. The modular architecture enables hot-swapping of failed components without shutting down the entire system.
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
The design enhances reliability, reduces maintenance costs, and facilitates easier transportation and installation of high-power wind generators, enabling the economic viability of wind energy systems by minimizing weight and logistical challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a first coil enclosed in the first cryostat is in superconducting electrical communication with a second coil contained in the second cryostat
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of cryostats comprising at least a first cryostat and a second cryostat, containing coolant wherein the first cryostat encloses at least one of a plurality of superconducting coils
Data Source
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AI summary
A superconducting electrical generator or motor having a plurality of cryostats is described. The cryostats contain coolant and a first cryostat encloses at least one of a plurality of superconducting coils. A first coil is in superconducting electrical communication with a second coil contained in a second cryostat through a superconducting conduction cooling cable enclosing a conductor. The first cryostat and the second cryostat may be in fluid communication through at least one cryogen channel within the at least one superconducting conduction cooling cable. In other embodiments, none of the plurality of cryostats may be in fluid communication and the cable may be cooled by conduction along the conductor from the first or second cryostat, or from both. The conductor may have different segments at temperatures equal to or above the temperature of the coolant and the superconducting conduction cooling cables may be connected through quick connect fittings.