High-Power-Density Superconducting Generator

The application of superconductors to the field windings of synchronous ac generators has been the subject of considerable development effort over the past decade. Machines and/or components have been built and tested in more than half a dozen countries. This paper considers an airborne high-power-density superconducting generator under construction at the authors' company. The unique requirements of this application include high power density, fast startup capability, and high terminal voltage. As a consequence, the design approach is quite different from that of any other generator. The significant design constraints and the configuration of the generator under construction are reviewed.