Design and Optimization of an HTS Claw-Pole Machine

Direct-drive wind generator is the best choice for the offshore wind energy application since it eliminates auxiliary components such as gearbox. To increase the system power density, superconducting machines are considered because the superconductors can carry larger current to produce larger magnetic loads. However, the superconductors must work at a very low temperature bringing us cooling problems. In this paper, a 10 MW HTS claw-pole machine is designed and optimized. The stationary seal can be realized in this topology and it will largely simplify the cryogenic system and the structure can also be more compact. Moreover, the toroidal HTS coils which are easier to manufacture are used in the claw-pole machine. Firstly, the operating principle are introduced in the paper. Then the design and optimization of the machine are conducted by combining both 2D-FEM and 3D-FEM. Finally, the performances of this topology are evaluated and the advantages are validated.