Numerical Analysis of Non-Uniformities and Anisotropy in High-Temperature Superconducting Coils

Abstract

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils play an important role in a number of large-scale engineering applications, such as electric machines employing HTS coated conductors. Non-uniformities and anisotropy in the properties of the coated conductor along its length and width can have a large impact on the performance of the tape, which directly influences the performance of an HTS electric machine. In this paper, the specific influences of non-uniformity and anisotropy on the dc properties of coils, such as the maximum allowable dc current, and the ac properties, such as ac loss, are analyzed using a numerical model based on the H formulation. It is found that non-uniformity along the conductor width has a large effect on the ac properties (i.e., ac loss)of a coil, but a relatively small effect on the dc properties (i.e., critical current). Conversely, non-uniformity along the length has a small effect on the ac coil properties, but has a large effect on the dc properties.