High temperature superconducting generator for a mobile radar system
A cryogenically cooled power system for mobile radars (MR) offers advantages in power density and performance over conventional technology. A conventional power system for a MR system consists of a diesel engine coupled to a conventional generator producing electrical power which is converted into radar power by power conditioning electronics, transmit/receive (T/R) modules, and an antenna. Cooling subsystems, including the generator, power conditioning, and possibly T/R modules, will improve the system performance through increased efficiencies and device capabilities. The improved MR performance due to cryogenic cooling results in increased radar output for the same amount of fuel consumption and reduced overall mass and volume of a MR system. This study evaluates the use of a high temperature superconducting generator in a cryogenically cooled power system for mobile radars. The baseline high temperature superconducting generator design consists of a high temperature superconducting rotating field winding and an ambient temperature stator winding. The generator is rated at 1 MW and driven by a 1800 rpm diesel engine. The generator consists of two windings producing 850 kW at 50 V, 12 phase, 60 Hertz and 150 kW at 120 V, 3 phase, 60 Hertz. The radar power is 850 kW, while the auxiliaries consisting of coolers, electrical equipment, and air conditioners consume 150 kW. Cooling of the generator is provided by a heat exchange with helium gas cooled by a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. An iterative computer model is developed to evaluate the HTS generator and MR system performance. Cooling subsystems will not only improve the efficiency of the subsystem being cooled, but at the same time the power required to cool the subsystem will also increase. This computer model includes cryocooler performance models in evaluating the impact of cooling the subsystem. Cryocooler characteristics including coefficient of performance (COP), mass, and volume are used as inputs to the computer model for system performance simulations. A brief survey of available commercial cryocoolers is made to confirm values used in the system analyses. The cooling architecture with preliminary cooling loop characteristics is also provided. Calculations involving single components and simple systems are used to confirm more complex calculations of the computer model. Interface issues including current leads or bus heat load, conduction and radiation heat loads, including convective heat loads are addressed in the study.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Science and Technology Center, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20000363
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 33rd Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, Colorado Springs, CO (US), 08/02/1998--08/06/1998; Other Information: 1 CD-ROM. Operating system required: Windows 3.x; Windows95/NT; Macintosh; UNIX. All systems need 2X CD-ROM drive., PBD: 1998; Related Information: In: Proceedings of the 33. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, by Anghaie, S. [ed.], [2800] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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