Superconducting Motor Current Waveform Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting motor windings experience disproportionate power losses and self-heating due to superconductivity effects, leading to increased cooling demands that negatively impact the power balance and efficiency, especially when operating at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a current control curve that deviates from sinusoidal patterns to optimized rectangular or trapezoidal waveforms, adapted to the geometry and properties of the superconductor, with reduced peak currents during maximum inductance periods and shifted load distribution, and using converter technologies for variable speed and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If sinusoidal current curves are used to operate the motor, then homogeneous rotary behavior is achieved, but power losses and self-heating of the superconducting winding increase disproportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the current waveform parameter from sinusoidal to rectangular or trapezoidal shapes, and adjusts the timing parameter by reducing peak current specifically during maximum inductance periods. This parameter modification reduces power losses in the superconducting winding while maintaining acceptable rotary behavior through compensatory control strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic current control that adapts the current waveform in real-time based on the motor's operational state. The controller dynamically adjusts the current profile, reducing peak currents during high inductance periods and shifting load distribution, thereby optimizing the balance between rotary behavior stability and power loss minimization.
2Ease of operation
If sinusoidal current curves are used, then conventional control operation is maintained, but cooling capacity requirements increase disproportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the current waveform parameter from sinusoidal to rectangular or trapezoidal shapes with reduced peak values during maximum inductance. This change reduces power losses in the superconducting winding, which directly decreases the heat generation and thus the cooling capacity requirements, while the control system maintains ease of operation through adaptive control strategies.
3Loss of energy
If peak current is reduced during maximum inductance periods, then losses in superconducting material are minimized, but current distribution along the current curve must be shifted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current control that adapts the current waveform in real-time based on the motor's operational state. The controller dynamically adjusts the current profile, reducing peak currents during high inductance periods and shifting load distribution to other phases, thereby optimizing the balance between loss minimization and control complexity through adaptive algorithms.
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 approach minimizes losses in superconducting materials, reducing the need for excessive cooling capacity and enhancing motor performance while maintaining or increasing output power with reduced cooling supply power.
Implementation Method 1
windings made of superconducting material which, for the operation of the motor, are cooled below a critical temperature where the resistance of the winding decreases abruptly
Implementation Method 2
such heating in these areas leads to a disproportionately high cooling capacity that must be provided on the motor
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor which is provided with windings of a superconducting material which, for the operation of the motor, are cooled down below a transition temperature, the motor and especially the windings being actuated following an optimized substantially rectangular or trapezoid current curve in order to optimize operation.