Tapered Superconductor Windings for Electric Machine Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical machines with superconducting windings face limitations in maximizing power density due to material constraints, leading to larger and heavier designs despite low energy losses.
Innovation Solution
The use of tapered superconductors in winding overhang areas with a smaller width than longitudinal regions allows for increased current density, reduced material usage, and enhanced bending capabilities, enabling a more compact and lightweight design by optimizing the winding head width and cross-sectional area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If superconducting windings are used in electrical machines, then energy losses are reduced, but the machine size and weight cannot be further reduced due to material constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the superconductor width along its length: the superconductor has a reduced width in winding head regions compared to longitudinal winding regions. This allows optimization of material usage where full current carrying capacity is not needed, reducing overall weight while maintaining energy efficiency in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the superconductor (width) along its length to optimize performance. By reducing the width in winding head regions where electromagnetic fields are weaker, the patent reduces material usage and weight while maintaining sufficient current carrying capacity for the application.
2Loss of energy
If superconducting windings are used in electrical machines, then energy losses are reduced, but the machine volume cannot be further reduced due to material constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces superconductor volume by implementing local quality variations: the superconductor width is reduced in winding head regions compared to longitudinal regions. This optimized geometry reduces the total volume of superconducting material required while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of superconducting windings.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform superconductor width is used throughout the winding, then manufacturing is simplified, but power density cannot be maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying superconductor width along its length, with narrower sections in winding head regions and wider sections in longitudinal regions. This allows maximization of power density in critical areas while using less material overall, achieving optimal power density without requiring completely complex manufacturing processes.
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 reduces the volume and weight of the electrical machine while maintaining superconductivity, thereby increasing power density and allowing for more efficient operation without compromising the superconducting properties under expected current loads.
Implementation Method 1
the windings of the coils of the stator and/or the rotor are made of a superconducting material and can be cooled by a corresponding cooling device down to a material-dependent transition temperature of the superconducting material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric machine with a stator and a rotor. The stator and/or the rotor has a coil arrangement (12). The coil arrangement (12) has several coils (2) arranged along a circumference of the coil arrangement (12). Each coil (2) has a winding (4) made of a ribbon-shaped superconductor (1). The winding head width (8) of the superconductor (1) is smaller in winding head regions (7) of the winding (4) than the winding longitudinal width (8) of the superconductor (1) in winding longitudinal regions (9) of the winding (4). The winding head width (8) in the winding head regions (7) is predetermined depending on a critical load current of the superconductor (1) expected during operation of the electric machine in the winding head region (9).