Trends in naval ship propulsion drive motor technology

Electric drive propulsion system for naval ships is a very active and fast-growing research area driven by the rapid growth in power electronics and advancement in machine design. Propulsion motors and associated drive control systems form the heart of modern all-electric ships (AES). This paper presents the technology trends in propulsion drive motors for AES propulsion systems. The induction motor (IM), permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), the high temperature superconducting synchronous motor (HTSSM) and the superconducting homopolar DC motor (SHDCM) are examined. These machines are preferred over others mainly because of their higher power densities and efficiencies, allowing a more compact and efficient propulsion system design.