Design of a 120 kW Homopolar Alternator with HTS Excitation

Abstract:
For the transition to electric flight in the future, high-power-density superconducting machines could be a key enabling technology. A homopolar inductor alternator could operate as a generator within a turboelectric propulsion system to power electric propulsion drives. This paper presents design considerations for a 120 kW demonstrator of a homopolar inductor alternator with high-temperature superconducting (HTS) field coil. Electromagnetic, thermal and structural design aspects are considered.