Ten MVA superconducting generator development; Status at the end of 1989

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/60.79633· OSTI ID:5546427

Kirtley, Jr, J L; Smith, Jr, J L; Umans, S D ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US)

The purpose of this paper is to provide a progress report and some initial results from the experimental program in superconducting generators at MIT. The 10 MVA generator developed at MIT was to demonstrate a number of what were termed advanced concepts. These included a fully cold rotor, a cryogenic system with built-in reserves for rapid re-cooling following serious electrical transients, a two-stage damping and shielding system with a damping resistor tailored to good dynamic performance, a field winding structure which allows for full fault torque without straining the field winding conductors, a limited voltage gradient armature winding, and a monolithic armature structural system that provides both rigid support and good electrical isolation. The generator has had a number of significant problems, some of which teach valuable lessons, some of which took time to resolve and some of which remain to be resolved. These include oil leaks in the high-speed vacuum seals caused by gas in the oil, balancing difficulties caused by temperature dependent camping in the seals, a coldleak in the rotating helium transfer system and a kind of vapor lock in the main helium handling system of the rotor. This paper discusses the major experimental results, including the successful measurements, the difficulties encountered and their resolution.

• OSTI ID: 5546427
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States) Vol. 6:2; ISSN 0885-8969; ISSN ITCNE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

665412* -- Superconducting Devices-- (1992-)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CRYOGENICS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
PERFORMANCE
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPECIFICATIONS
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
SUPERCONDUCTING GENERATORS
TESTING