https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01999-w
Regular Article
Mechanical analysis of high-temperature superconducting motor rotor based on multiphysics coupling
1
School of Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, 210096, Nanjing, China
2
School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
3
National Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Energy, Naval University of Engineering, 430033, Wuhan, China
4
East Lake Laboratory, 430202, Wuhan, China
a
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Received:
30
June
2025
Accepted:
29
September
2025
Published online:
20
October
2025
High-temperature superconducting (HTS) rotors are affected, such as rotation, high torque, and thermal stress during operation. Safety mechanical checks for all HTS motor rotor components are necessary. This is especially important for HTS magnets, which can experience quench damage. This paper proposes a multi-field coupling method integrating electromagnetic, structural, and thermal analyses. The impact of superconducting coil current density distribution assumptions on mechanical calculations in rotor HTS motors is addressed. This paper systematically compares the uniform current density model (A-formulation) and the model considering superconducting properties (T-A formulation). Using a racetrack-type YBCO HTS magnet, the 3D model is segmented and converted into 2D models. The computational efficiency, electromagnetic field distribution characteristics, and electromagnetic force differences between the two methods are quantitatively analyzed. Results show that the A-formulation offers high computational efficiency and accurately captures macroscopic electromagnetic forces. The T-A formulation precisely reveals the current edge accumulation effect and local electromagnetic force concentration within the HTS magnet. Based on this, a global–local joint simulation framework is proposed. It uses the efficient A-formulation for global rotor multiphysics coupling analysis. It combines the high-precision T-A formulation for local detailed calculation of the HTS magnet. The representative volume element (RVE) method was applied to build the coupled rotor model. The mechanical safety margins of the composite torque tube and HTS magnet support bracket under rated conditions were checked. The HTS magnet coil former structure was optimized, reducing the peak stress by 78.8%. Magnet stability was verified through critical current analysis. This study provides theoretical tools and an optimization path for the mechanical design of HTS motors.
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Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
