[AP4] Rotating machines 1

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM JST(1:15 AM - 1:45 AM UTC)

[AP4-02-INV] Superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft

*Rémi Dorget¹, Alexandre Colle¹, Emelie Nilsson¹, Ludovic Ybanez¹ (1. Airbus UpNext (France))

Keywords:

Superconducting Machine,Superconducting Cables,Cryogenic Power Electronics,Hydrogen Aircraft

Within the frame of air travel decarbonation, Airbus is developing liquid hydrogen aircraft technologies powered by fuel cell systems. In such aircraft, the availability of a cryogenic source and the need for electric propulsion, using superconducting and cryogenic technologies appears to be an ideal choice. Indeed, a cryogenic powertrain can be much lighter and more efficient than a conventional one bringing significant fuel burn reduction for the aircraft. Thus Airbus is developing components for this cryogenic powertrain including:A superconducting DC Link, bringing the electric power from the fuel cells to the rest of the powertrain. This cable has a very high efficiency and power to weight thanks to High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) tapes.A cryogenic Motor Control Unit (MCU) which drives the electric motor. This inverter is made of GaN semiconductors operated at cryogenic temperature to benefit from the improved performances of the GaN at cryogenic temperatures.A superconducting motor which is capable of bringing the mechanical power to the propeller in direct drive. Thanks to its superconducting stator, its efficiency is much higher than conventional motors. This motor can use a conventional permanent magnet rotor or a superconducting rotor to bring further mass reduction.
In order to demonstrate the maturity of these technologies, Airbus is developing a 1 MW cryogenic and superconducting propulsion demonstrator comprising superconducting cables, cryogenic power electronics and superconducting motor within the frame of project CRYOPROP to be tested in 2026.