Demonstration of a Helical Armature for a Superconducting Generator

This is a report on the design, construction and testing of an experimental helical armature for a superconducting generator. Rated at 60 kVA, this armature was built to be operated in conjunction with the rotor of the first experimental superconducting machine built at MIT. It incorporates, in addition to the helical winding form, a high density edge-brazed end turn geometry, molded bar groups, and silicone fluid coolant and insulation impregnant. Tests showed that the thermal performance of the armature was within reasonable limits, magnetic analyses leading to the computation of reactance and voltage generation were approximately correct. No abnormal core heating was observed.