Development and fundamental characteristics of a YBCO superconducting induction/synchronous motor operated in liquid nitrogen

A high Tc superconducting induction/synchronous motor (HTS-ISM) is designed, fabricated and tested with the use of YBCO coated conductors for rotor bars. The structure of this motor is the same with that of the squirrel-cage induction motor. The YBCO coated conductor, 10 mm in width, is produced by means of the MOCVD process, and then such tape is divided into four pieces by using a laser cutting machine. Four cut tapes are bundled for one rotor bar, and commercialized Bi-2223/Ag tapes are utilized for end rings. The fabricated HTS rotor is installed in a conventional stator, and then various tests are carried out in liquid nitrogen. It is successfully observed that the fabricated YBCO HTS-ISM has a synchronous torque. The motor also has an almost constant torque curve because of the steep take-off of the electric field versus current density property. Detailed test results are reported and discussed.