FLUX TRAPPED SUPERCONDUCTOR MOTOR AND METHOD THEREFOR

摘要

A motor (10) comprises a stator (14) having an associated stator winding (24) formed of a conventional material such as copper, or of a superconductive material. A rotor (12) for the motor is also formed of a superconductive material. The rotor is placed in a cryostat (16) and cooled from a first temperature which is above a critical level to a second temperature which is below the level. The stator is placed in a second and separate cryostat (18) and the stator winding is energized while the the rotor temperature is being lowered to below the critical level. Once the superconductive material of the rotor has been cooled to a level below the critical level, the stator winding is de-energized. Currents are now induced in the superconductive material of the rotor to trap or maintain magnetic flux therein. Thereafter, the rotor acts as a permanent magnet so long as it is maintained below the critical temperature.