Development status of superconducting motors

The article gives a brief history of the development of superconducting motors with emphasis on the use of high temperature superconductors. At present, effort is directed toward the demonstration of a 1000 hp HTS motor, the test of which will mark another significant milestone in HTS motor development. For the first time, a closed-loop refrigeration system will be used to maintain an operating temperature near 30 K for the HTS field winding. Following the conclusion of the 1000 hp HTS motor project, a 5000 hp HTS motor will be constructed and tested to demonstrate its economical viability. The progress in developing HTS motors to date is shown. The rotor for the 1000 hp motor was designed to accommodate other coils and can provide a test bed for wire developed in the future