Characterization and Testing of a Multiphase Superconducting Axial Machine for Electric Aircraft

Growing environmental concerns and increasingly stringent emission regulations are driving the energy transition toward electrification. The aviation sector, facing rising air traffic and the urgent need for decarbonization, is a strong candidate for this transition. Significant efforts are being made to develop propulsion technologies that minimize emissions while maintaining high performance. Cryo-electrification, which integrates high-temperature superconducting (HTS) machines with cryogenic cooling, is a promising solution for this transition. The exceptional current density of HTS materials enables electric machines with high specific power density (SPD), a key requirement for aircraft applications. This work focuses on the development of a variable-pole multiphase axial flux machine designed for integration into a highly flexible, fault-tolerant electromechanical drive. The machine consists of two semi-stators and a rotor constructed from slices of HTS REBCO (rare-earth bismuth copper oxide) tapes. The variable-pole configuration allows the machine to function as an electronic gearbox, providing operational flexibility. The magnetic flux generated by the stator is trapped in the HTS rotor, forming the basis of its superconducting operation. To validate the concept, flux measurements will be performed using pick-up coils. Additionally, preliminary finite element method (FEM) simulations were performed. Experimental results will be presented to demonstrate the feasibility of this design. This study serves as a proof of concept, but further optimization is required to achieve the high SPD necessary for aviation applications.