The Future of Navy Motors - high temperature superconductor

[kach22i]

HTS - The Future of Navy Motors - high temperature superconductor
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/cat_ships_and_subs.html

American Superconductor Corporation recently announced the successful completion of factory acceptance testing for the world's first 36.5 megawatt (49,000 horsepower) high temperature superconductor (HTS) ship propulsion motor at Northrop Grumman's facility at the Philadelphia Naval Business Center. This is the final milestone before the Navy takes possession of the motor.

The motor was designed, developed and manufactured under a contract from the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) to demonstrate the efficacy of HTS primary- propulsion-motor technology for future Navy all-electric ships and submarines. The power and torque of this HTS motor is comparable to the requirements for the Navy's new Zumwalt class of destroyers, known as DDG 1000. In comparison with the conventional copper motors being used on the first two DDG 1000 hulls,the HTS motor is less than one-half the size and weight, and is more efficient over a much wider range of ship speeds. This results in weight and space advantages, enabling an increase in payload capacity for both naval and commercial vessels.

Why HTS?

High Power Density: The HTS field winding produces magnetic fields higher than those of conventional machines resulting in smaller size and weight.

High Partial Load Efficiency: HTS motors have higher efficiency at part load (down to 5% of full speed), that results in savings in fuel use and operating cost. The advantage in efficiency can be over 10% at low speed.

Low Noise: HTS motors have lower sound emissions than conventional machines.

Low Synchronous Reactance: HTS air-core motors are characterized by a low synchronous reactance which results in operation at very small load angles. Operating at a small load angle provides greater stiffness during the transient and hunting oscillations.

Harmonics: HTS motors generate voltages free of harmonics.

Cyclic load insensitivity: HTS motor field windings operate at nearly constant temperature unlike conventional motors and, therefore, are not subject to thermal fatigue.

Maintenance: HTS motors compared to conventional motors will not require the common rotor overhaul, rewinding or re-insulation.

(Source: American Superconductor)

How long before we see some trickle down tech into the automobile industry?

EDIT:
This illustration is something.

Benefits of HTS over alternative ship propulsion motors
http://www.amsuper.com/products/motorsGenerators/shipPropulsion.cfm

Left is an illustration of a conventional copper 36.5 MW ship propulsion motor and on the right is the HTS 36.5 MW ship propulsion motor

[Don Plumley]

Full Disclosure: I worked for the parent of AMSC's chief Competitor, SuperPower.

It's interesting stuff. I worry about AMSC hype, but there is some really interesting science going on...

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Full Disclosure: I worked for the parent of AMSC's chief Competitor, SuperPower.

It's interesting stuff. I worry about AMSC hype, but there is some really interesting science going on...

Maybe you guys can save us the trouble of building nuclear power plants.

http://www.amsuper.com/products/motorsGenerators/faq.cfm

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, motors account for 70% of all energy consumed by the domestic manufacturing sector and use over 55% of the total electric energy generated in this country. Large electric motors, those greater than 1000 horsepower, consume over 25% of the total generated electric energy. With some minor exceptions, nearly all cruise ships today are being built with electrical propulsion, and many other types of commercial vessels and warships are now also adopting marine motors as their primary source of motive power.

.................................................. ..................................
Fair time for the other guys Superpower/Intermagnetics.

EDIT:
http://www.intermagnetics.com/News%20_%20Events.aspx

Jun 15, 2006
Philips to Acquire Intermagnetics, the World’s Leading MRI Components and Accessories Manufacturer

Intermagnetics:
http://www.intermagnetics.com/About%20Us.aspx
Intermagnetics, originally a spin-off from General Electric in 1971, has grown into a leading designer and manufacturer of medical devices designed primarily for magnetic resonance imaging applications (MRI). Our company has earned an industry wide reputation for technological innovation and exceptional customer service......................Intermagnetics’ subsidiary SuperPower, Inc. is continuing to develop second-generation high-temperature superconducting material and devices that are designed to improve the capacity, reliability and efficiency of electric power transmission and distribution.

[red-beard]

What is the coolant temperature?

[kach22i]

Originally posted by red-beard
What is the coolant temperature?

I have no clue, should be somewhere on the site though.

[red-beard]

Still need to Hit 77 Kelvin. It works best at 20 Kelvin.

77 K = -196 C = -321 F (liquid nitrogen)

20 K = -253 C = -423 F

These ain't room temperature