High-Power Dense Electric Propulsion Motor

This paper describes the results of design and analysis studies performed by the authors for the comparison of predicted performance of an electric propulsion motor using conventional and emerging technologies. Specifically, a modern squirrel-cage-induction-motor design is compared to both a permanent-magnet motor with high energy magnets and a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) motor using a second generation (2G) superconductor. The selected baseline design is a ship propulsion motor in operation rated at 5000 hp and 1800 r/min. The results of the calculated performance and comparative studies among the various technologies show great potential for increasing the power density using the 2G HTS technology. Using the currently available 2G superconductor current capabilities, the achieved power density of the propulsion motor is twice that of the induction motor. Further investigations are being carried out to improve the superconductor performance for future designs for an ongoing project sponsored by the United States Department of Energy to reduce the cost of the superconductor for future commercial applications of the HTS technology.