Development and assessment of simplified analytical method for current distribution among REBa2Cu3O y parallel conductors in armature windings for fully superconducting rotating machines

Abstract

Fully superconducting rotating machines employing REBa2Cu3O y (REBCO, RE = rare earth elements or Y) superconducting armature and field coils, are particularly interesting for aircraft applications, owing to their high output power density (kW kg−1). To achieve high current capability in superconducting coils, we have proposed a cabling design for transposed multi-strand parallel conductors. In the parallel conductor design, the REBCO strands are insulated from each other, except for both terminal ends, and transposed during the winding process to achieve uniform current distribution by cancellation of interlinkage magnetic flux between the strands. In this study, a simplified analytical method considering inductances was developed based on Laplace’s equation in cylindrical coordinates to roughly calculate the current distributions of multi-strands under armature coil conditions. The validity of the analytical method was investigated through current distribution measurements of the sample coils wound with two-strand parallel conductors. Consequently, the analytical method was validated with approximately 10% deviation under the experimental coil conditions. To establish a more accurate analysis method, certain improvements are needed.