Lightweight superconducting generators for mobile military platforms

Abstract

Mobile military platforms impose severe restrictions on size, weight and efficiency of megawatt class power components. Severe shock, vibration and tilt requirements are additional limitations not required by commercial utility power systems. Many military power system restrictions and requirements can be met by application of superconductor technology only if the cryogenic containment and cooling are relatively transparent to the system. Advantages and limitations for military systems of various superconducting generator architectures are discussed. Current and future technology directions for high temperature superconducting generators are assessed