Lightweight, High-power Density, Self-protecting Superconducting Power Cables and Connectors for Electric Aircraft Applications

The proposed program would develop 2-pole high-temperature superconducting dc power cables and connectors with a power rating of up to 50 MW that would enable twin-aisle aircraft with distributed electric propulsion in an effort to reduce carbon emissions of large passenger aircraft. The cables and connectors will contain dielectrics that are independent of the cryogenic medium used as coolant and would allow an operating voltage of 10 kV. The cables will have the ability to protect the power distribution network from overcurrents, in which the cables have intrinsic fault current limiting capabilities, reducing the complexity of the power distribution network, while improving its reliability.
Advanced Conductor Technologies will develop coaxial 2-pole Conductor on Round Core (CORC®) dc cables and low-resistance connectors specifically for aircraft applications where size, weight and power density are key performance metrics. Dielectrics that allow the CORC® cables and connectors to operate at 10 kV will be developed by ACT in collaboration with the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The superconducting cables and connectors will be incorporated in a sub-scale power distribution network that includes the cryogenic cooling infrastructure. The performance of the power cables, connectors and the sub-scale power distribution network will be tested using pressurized cryogenic helium gas at 40 – 60 K and in flowing liquid hydrogen at 20 K at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. A successful performance demonstration would be a game changer for the development of twin-aisle electric aircraft.