Conceptual Design of Superconducting Induction Motors Using REBa2Cu3Oy Superconducting Tapes for Electric Aircraft

High power density motors are required for electric propulsion aircrafts. The highest power density of the conventional motor is reported as 5.2 kW/kg up to now. Superconducting rotating machines have a potential to realize higher power density due to its high current density and a large magnetic field property. In this study, the induction motor with air-cored superconducting armature windings was conceptually designed. The output power range was 3 to 6 MW and the output power density aimed to be over 20 kW/kg. The armature voltage should be below kV-class and joule loss below 122 kW. The target efficiency was over 95%. The electromagnetic design and analysis were carried out by JMAG Designer. The number of magnetic poles and operating temperatures were set as two poles and liquid hydrogen temperature of 20 K, respectively. The parameter was power frequency in the range of 100-250 Hz. As a result, all the requirements were satisfied when the power frequency was 130 Hz. The feasibility of the MW-class superconducting induction motor was investigated, and in conclusion, the superconducting induction motor can be applied to the aircraft propulsion system.