A Transverse Flux High-Temperature Superconducting Generator Topology for Large Direct Drive Wind Turbines

The cost and mass of an offshore wind turbine power-train can be reduced by using high-temperature superconducting generators, but for a successful commercial design the superconducting generator should be as reliable as its alternatives. In this paper, we present a novel transverse flux superconducting generator topology which is suitable for low-speed, high-torque applications. The generator is designed with a stationary superconducting field winding and a variable reluctance claw pole motor for simplified mechanical structure and maximum reliability. 3D FEA simulation results of a 70 kW prototype is presented. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B. V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Guest Editors.