Superconducting electrical motorsMoteurs électriques supraconducteurs

Superconductors have always been very promising materials because they offer the possibility of building lighter and more efficient electrical machines than by any other conventional solution. These characteristics make superconducting motors very attractive drives for embarked equipment with low weight requirements. The historical development of superconducting machines is quickly reviewed. The high critical temperature superconductors have renewed the works about superconducting machines. Different motor options are presented (fully superconducting machine and permanent magnet superconducting motor). For each, the choice of the superconductor (low or high critical temperature) is discussed, according to their performance and technological problems, especially about cryogenics. The different solutions are compared through a preliminary electromagnetic design for a 10 MW–100 rpm torque motor. We carry out a research and development program on the permanent magnet superconducting motors. After a first 15 kW–750 rpm successfully tested model a second 150 kW–400 rpm demonstrator is under development.