Assessment on PMSC Machines (Permanent Magnet Rotor and Superconducting Stator) to Ship Propulsion Application

Partially superconducting machines with superconducting field winding offer enhanced performance with higher current densities and airgap magnetic fields, though they introduce challenges in maintaining stable operation within rotating high-field cryogenic environments. PMSC machines, which use permanent magnets on the rotor and superconducting stator windings, provide an alternative design with benefits in thermal management and reduced mechanical complexity due to the absence of the rotary couplings. This paper reviews existing PMSC designs, summarizing demonstration cases and addressing challenges such as low power factor, permanent magnet protection, and AC losses. A comparative design study is also performed to compare both PMSC machines and partially superconducting machines for effective machine weight and efficiency, revealing that PMSC configurations may offer viable alternatives for ship propulsion.