CLEAN: Cryogenic Link for Electric Aircraft Propulsion

Abstract

We propose a thermally efficient and power-dense high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cable (CLEAN Cable) as well as a thermally efficient, mechanically rugged, and easily attachable/detachable cryogenic-to-ambient power link (CLEAN Connector). The bundled design enables high gravimetric power density and node-less tapping of power. The CLEAN Connector minimizes ambient heat leaking into the cryogenic environment by magnetically coupling the cryogenic section to the ambient counterpart via a high-frequency isolated DC/DC converter. The proposed high-frequency operation reduces the core size of the cryogenic/ambient transformer that provides electrical and thermal isolation while enabling quick connection. The proposed CLEAN technologies provide the following advantages – (1) Reduced heat load; (2) High gravimetric power density; (3) <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">N</i> –1 system redundancy; (4) Minimum ambient heat leak into the cryogenic system; (5) High vibration/mechanical stress tolerance; (6) Partial discharge (PD) free at high-altitudes; (7) Easy cryogenic and ambient system connection; (8) Inherent fault detection and isolation.