Synchronous AC Homopolar Machines

This chapter discusses on the simplest configuration of a homopolar synchronous machine. A homopolar machine consists of a superconducting field excitation coil and a conventional poly - phase armature winding. A synchronous homopolar machine offers high power density for operation at speeds of 3600 RPM and higher. The penalty for homopolar flux utilization is compensated by higher air - gap flux densities achieved with superconducting field winding and higher rotor speed. A conventional synchronous machine employs individual superconducting coils for each pole, but a homopolar machine uses only a single field coil with much simpler cryogenic requirements. This enhances reliability of superconducting homopolar machines. Controlled Vocabulary Terms coils; cryogenic electronics; homopolar machines; superconducting materials; synchronous machines