Superconducting machines — The enabling technology for future electric propulsion in aircraft

Successful electric propulsion for aircraft will depend on significantly higher power density, more compact and more efficient electrical machines. However, machine technologies based on conventional materials are reaching to a limit. Moreover, airframe design has been predominantly built around the podded configuration of the jet engine, which compromises aerodynamic efficiency and prevents radical new design. On the top of these, the rapidly growing aviation industry also faces stringent environmental standards and economic challenges. Thus, technological breakthroughs and paradigm shifts are urgently required. A novel low inductance flux-enhancing motor is proposed for a distributed electric propulsion system for a 200-ton hydrogen fueled aircraft. A multi-domain component oriented model of the aircraft is then built to provide system performance prediction of the proposed superconducting propulsion system. Extensive simulation results show the motor outputs and the power requirements over a one hour flight, and insights into this mode of future propulsion.