The Development of the 100 kW Fully Superconducting Axial Flux Motor: HTS Armature Tests

Zero-emission aviation requires electrical motors with high power densities. Superconducting motors offer a promising way to increase the power density of aviation propulsion motors, owing to the large-current carrying capacity of superconductors. Previous research mainly focus on superconducting motors were on marine propulsion applications with superconducting rotors. Recent research driven by aviation needs are more towards superconducting armatures. This paper will demonstrate the first use of superconducting armature for an axial-flux superconducting motors. For the first tests of the Armature PM rotor was used in order to validate simulation data and check operation of armature in motor mode. The design and testing results for superconducting armature will be discussed. The study will pave the way for future research of superconducting propulsion motors with HTS armatures.