SupraMotor

Superconducting compact claw pole motor with electrical solid-state cooling

Besides automation concepts using superconductor technology for industrial applications, we are also researching superconducting drives. We will be presenting the SupraMotor technology platform, a superconducting claw pole motor with solid-state cooling, for the first time in 2018. It is characterised by a very compact design, a high holding torque and a long-life electrical direct cooling system.

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Loss-free electricity transmission

The drive makes use of the effect that electricity within an appropriately cooled superconductor is transmitted without loss. This allows a strong magnetic field to be generated with very high currents. The SupraMotor has a high overload capacity and is suitable for applications in continuous operation. Thanks to the resistant, superconducting coils, it is also almost impossible for it to overheat.

Low energy demand

The motor works particularly efficiently at low speeds with very high torques. If a load has to be held, the drive uses no energy even at maximum holding torque.In general too, the energy demand is low: whilst the motor’s output power is in the double-digit kilowatt range, it only needs energy for cooling in the low three-digit watt range.

The motor can currently only be operated with low phase currents, as the ferromagnetic materials available until now are unable to take larger magnetic flux densities. Through further research, however, new concepts and materials could be investigated, which could full exploit the superconductor’s current carrying capacity of well over 100 amperes.