Superconducting Generator Vacuum Vessel With Passive Magnetic Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting generators are costly due to the use of expensive, temperature-insensitive materials for the vacuum vessel, and they require magnetic shielding to reduce fringe magnetic fields, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting generator with a vacuum vessel constructed from a mild or low carbon steel, where the inner wall is made of a non-magnetic or paramagnetic material and the outer wall is made of a ferromagnetic material, providing enhanced magnetic flux and passive magnetic shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-magnetic stainless steel vacuum vessel is used, then the magnetic performance of the superconducting field windings is preserved, but the overall cost of the superconducting generator is high
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum vessel is segmented into two distinct walls: an inner wall made of non-magnetic or paramagnetic material (such as stainless steel or aluminum) that faces the armature and preserves magnetic performance, and an outer wall made of ferromagnetic material (such as mild or low carbon steel) that provides cost-effectiveness and passive magnetic shielding. This segmentation allows each wall to perform its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the vacuum vessel have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The inner wall uses non-magnetic or paramagnetic material where magnetic performance is critical, while the outer wall uses ferromagnetic material where cost-effectiveness and magnetic shielding are priorities. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes both performance and cost.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetic shielding is added to reduce fringe magnetic field, then the fringe magnetic field outside the vacuum vessel is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic shielding function is merged with the structural vacuum vessel wall itself. The outer wall of the vacuum vessel is constructed from ferromagnetic material that provides passive magnetic shielding, eliminating the need for separate magnetic shielding components. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining the shielding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum vessel structure serves dual purposes: it provides the vacuum enclosure for thermal isolation and simultaneously provides passive magnetic shielding through its ferromagnetic outer wall. The structure serves itself by performing both functions without requiring additional dedicated components for magnetic shielding.
3Ease of manufacture
If a ferromagnetic material is used for the outer wall, then passive magnetic shielding is provided and cost is reduced, but the magnetic flux distribution may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum vessel is segmented into an inner wall and outer wall with different material properties. The inner wall made of non-magnetic or paramagnetic material faces the armature and maintains proper magnetic flux distribution, while the outer wall made of ferromagnetic material provides cost-effectiveness and magnetic shielding. This segmentation prevents the ferromagnetic material from interfering with the critical magnetic flux distribution near the superconducting field windings.
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 use of cost-effective materials for the vacuum vessel reduces the overall cost of the superconducting generator, enhances magnetic flux near the superconducting field winding ends, and provides partial magnetic shielding, making the generator more economical and reliable.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum prevents heat from the warm rotor core from being transferred by convection to the superconducting field windings
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum vessel is commonly used to help create thermal isolation of the superconducting field windings
Implementation Method 3
The opposed outer wall is comprised of a ferromagnetic material
Implementation Method 4
provides partial magnetic shielding
Implementation Method 5
the superconducting wires generate very high magnetic field, for example, on the order of 7 Tesla or larger due to the high current densities in the superconducting field winding
Implementation Method 6
The armature winding is generally formed using conventional materials, for example, copper or aluminum. Whereas, the stationary field includes a superconducting field winding formed of superconducting wires that support very high current densities without incurring any dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting generator including an armature configured to be rotated via a shaft and a stationary field disposed concentric to and radially outward from the armature. The stationary field including a superconducting field winding and a vacuum vessel having an inner wall of one of a non-magnetic material or a paramagnetic material facing the armature, an opposed outer wall of a ferromagnetic material and a plurality of sidewalls coupling the inner wall and the opposed outer wall. The superconducting field winding is disposed in the vacuum vessel. A wind turbine and method are additionally disclosed. The wind turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of blades. The wind turbine further includes a shaft coupled to the rotor. Moreover, the wind turbine includes the superconducting generator coupled to the rotor via the shaft.