A superconductive field winding subsystem for a 3000 hp homopolar motor

A superconductive field winding subsystem has been developed for a 3000 hp homopolar motor for a model ship propulsion system. This subsystem includes a large NbTi superconductive coil mounted in a cryostat designed to withstand relatively severe environmental conditions expected during the ship-board tests planned by the Navy. Other components are a 2.5 kVA exciter for energizing the windings, an instrumentation console for monitoring system operation and a transfer line to permit operation with batch quantities of liquid helium. An overall description of the design and construction of the individual components in the system is presented along with a summary of preliminary component test results.