Robust Optimization of Multilayer Conductors of HTS AC Cable Using PSO and Perturbation Analysis

For a high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable, a non-uniform AC current distribution among the multilayer conductors gives rise to increased AC losses. To get a uniform current distribution among the multilayer conductors, a constrained optimization model is constructed with continuous and discrete variables, such as the winding angle, radius and the winding direction of each layer. Under the constraints of the mechanical properties and critical current of the tape, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed for structural parameter optimization in both warm and cold dielectric type HTS cables. A uniform current distribution among layers is realized by optimizing the structural parameters. The perturbation analysis is employed to evaluate the parameters after optimization. It is found that the robust stabilizations are different among the various optimal results. The PSO is proved to be a more powerful tool than the genetic algorithm (GA) for structural parameter optimization