Design challenges and potentials of HTS synchronous motor for Superbus

Abstract This paper discusses the possibilities of applying high temperature superconducting (HTS) synchronous motor to Superbus, an alternative and sustainable type of public transportation developed at TU Delft. Two important factors within the Superbus drive that influence the operating range are weight and efficiency: increasing the weight results in larger roll resistance while the better the efficiency the larger the range. HTS rotating machines offer several advantages such as weight reduction and increased efficiency which can be exploited for special applications such as Superbus, where weight and volume reduction is important. In order to highlight the design challenges and potentials achievable by using HTS motor in Superbus an overview of the different approaches in the design of HTS machines is presented. Different rotor and stator topologies available in literature are discussed and comparison is made with conventional machines. The losses expected from the HTS motor are presented in comparison with conventional machines. It is concluded that it seems possible to achieve a reduction in losses and volume of about half compared with conventional machines.