Synchronous Superconductive Rotary Machine with Segmented Pole Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superconductive rotary machines have complex and costly designs due to the need for cryostats and high cooling capacities, which increase manufacturing costs and downtime, especially in direct drive wind turbines with many pole units.
Innovation Solution
A synchronous superconductive rotary machine design where the first pole units are operated at ambient temperature and the second pole units at cryogenic temperature, with thermally insulating support elements to reduce cooling requirements and allow for a compact, lightweight structure, and separate manufacturing of superconductive pole modules for easier assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If all pole units are operated at cryogenic temperature to use superconductive coils, then high current density and efficiency are achieved, but the mass to be cooled increases significantly and cooling capacity needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is segmented into first pole units with conventional coils and second pole units with superconductive coils. This segmentation allows only specific regions to be cooled cryogenically, reducing the total mass requiring cooling while maintaining high current density in the superconductive regions where it provides maximum benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rotor are assigned different operational temperatures and coil types based on local requirements. The second pole units use superconductive coils at cryogenic temperature where high current density is critical, while first pole units use conventional coils at ambient temperature, optimizing the overall system without requiring complete cryogenic cooling.
2Temperature
If a complete cryostat system is used to cool all rotor components, then superconductive coils can be operated at required temperature, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented to cool only the second pole units containing superconductive coils, rather than cooling the entire rotor. This reduces the complexity of the cryostat system and associated infrastructure while maintaining the required operating temperature for the superconductive components.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermally insulating support elements are introduced as intermediaries between the cryogenically cooled second pole units and the ambient temperature rotor structure. These elements minimize heat transfer while allowing mechanical support, reducing the cooling load and simplifying the overall thermal management system.
3Temperature
If the entire rotor structure is cooled to cryogenic temperature, then uniform cooling is achieved, but the cooling time and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cooling the entire rotor structure uniformly, only the specific second pole units containing superconductive coils are cooled to cryogenic temperature. This segmented approach dramatically reduces the thermal mass that must be cooled, decreasing cooling time and downtime while maintaining temperature uniformity in the cooled regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The second pole units with superconductive coils are pre-cooled to operating temperature before being installed in the rotor assembly. This preliminary cooling action reduces the overall cooling time required for the complete system, as the cryogenic components are already at operating temperature when assembled.
4Strength
If thermally conductive support elements are used to attach pole units to the rotor, then mechanical strength is sufficient, but heat transfer to the ambient temperature rotor increases cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Hybrid support structures combining thermally conductive and thermally insulating materials are used to attach the second pole units to the rotor. The thermally conductive portion provides mechanical strength and support, while the thermally insulating portion minimizes heat transfer from the ambient temperature rotor to the cryogenic pole units, reducing cooling capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements have localized thermal properties: thermally conductive where mechanical strength is needed for structural integrity, and thermally insulating where heat transfer would increase cooling loads. This local differentiation of thermal properties optimizes both mechanical support and thermal management.
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 reduces the mass to be cooled, decreases cooling capacity needs, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining high current density and efficiency, allowing for faster assembly and reduced downtime.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one rotor coil is configured to interact with at least one stator coil arranged in the stator via an electromagnetic field when the rotor is rotated relative to the stator
Implementation Method 2
the at least one second pole unit is spaced apart from the back iron by means of at least one thermally insulating support element
Implementation Method 3
Superconducting rotary machines can be made significantly more compact and in a manner that requires less resources. However, such superconductive coils must be operated at an operating temperature below their critical temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a synchronously excited rotary machine with a superconductive rotor comprising a plurality of projecting first pole units of a magnetic material and a plurality of second pole units having superconductive coils wrapped around a core element of a magnetic material. Each second pole unit is positioned between two adjacent first pole units. The second pole units are spaced apart from aback iron and the first pole units via a plurality of thermally insulating support elements, wherein this spacing is evacuated so that it acts as magnetic air gap. An enclosed housing is provided on the back iron in which the first and second pole units are arranged, where- in the superconductive coils of the second pole units are in fluid communication with a cooling system. The first pole units and back iron are operated at an ambient temperature while the second pole units are operated at a cryogenic operating temperature.