Advanced applications of superconductors

This chapter attempts to determine how far the ac losses in the superconductors must be reduced to make practical the use of these materials in advanced large-scale electrical devices. Advanced superconductor applications in ac generators and transformers are examined. The discussed generator principally consists of a rotating superconducting field winding, a static three-phase superconducting armature winding and a static iron flux shield. The possibility of using ultrafine filamentary superconductors in a step-up transformer is evaluated. The transformer consists of a primary or low-voltage winding, a secondary or high-voltage winding and an iron core for carrying the flux. It is concluded that the use of superconductors in the armature windings of a superconducting generator and in the windings of a power station step-up transformer has been shown to be theoretically possible. The need for a continued thrust towards the development of ultrafine filamentary superconductors with low ac loss characteristics is suggested