Tuned Windings: the window of opportunity for the implementation of solid conductors in high frequency cryogenic electric machines

Abstract

Optimization techniques can significantly improve the performance of electrical machines. The analysis and the optimization algorithms focus on computational efficiency. In this paper, the optimization of a high frequency electrical machine in cryogenic conditions is proposed. The losses introduced by AC current in a conductor are directly proportional with the applied frequency in terms of skin effect and proximity effect. The stator coil, made from two aluminium (Al) turns, in the presence of cryogenic coolants has been analysed at frequencies up to 1000 Hz. In order to reduce the AC losses introduced by the magnetic fields, Nonlinear Conjugate Gradient (NCG) method has been applied for the stator coil thickness optimization. Frequency dependence is observed in most simulations. In the presence of Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) coolant, Al 1100 conductor presents the minimum power loss.