High Temperature Superconducting Rotor with Rotating Cryostat

The University plans to procure the equipment listed below. Ahead of issuing a formal tender, we are seeking contact from suppliers who believe they may be able to submit a bid, as we are currently assessing what is available in the market.

Please contact LH295@bath.ac.uk if you believe you would be able to submit a bid for this requirement:

High Temperature Superconducting Rotor with Rotating Cryostat Specification

The University of Bath requires the design, manufacture, delivery, installation, and commissioning of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) rotor with an integrated rotating cryostat system. The HTS rotor with rotating cryostat shall include, as a minimum:

•HTS rotor magnets;

•Cryogenic rotating seal;

•Vacuum pumping interface;

•Slip rings;

•Rotating signal acquisition system.

The supplied HTS rotor with cryostat shall be compatible with the University’s existing electric machine stator, motor drive platform, Stirling SPC-1T cryogenerator and associated helium interfaces.

Technical Requirements

The HTS rotor shall utilise REBCO coils and shall be conduction cooled through helium gas circulation cooling. The operating temperature of the REBCO coils shall achieve 25 K or below. The helium gas circulation cooling system shall operate at pressures of 10 bar or higher. The air-gap magnetic field should achieve 0.8 T or higher. A cryogenic rotating seal shall be provided to connect the helium gas pipeline between the HTS rotor and the Stirling SPC-1T cryogenerator. The HTS rotor shall include temperature sensors, magnetic field sensors and voltage taps on the HTS coils. Rotor excitation shall be achieved through the current leads connected to the slip rings. A dedicated vacuum pumping interface shall be provided to connect the rotating vacuum chamber to an external stationary vacuum pump station. The cryostat shall incorporate high-vacuum insulation and multi-layer thermal insulation (MLI).

Compliance and Usability

The complete HTS rotor and rotating cryostat system shall comply with all applicable UK standards and regulations. Ease of operation for non-expert users is essential. Suppliers shall demonstrate the reliability, robustness, and user-friendliness of the proposed system. We will also consider the environmental impact of the equipment, thus power saving functions, and mechanisms to reduce on-going consumable costs, will be favoured.

Installation and Training

Installation should include all required parts and labour. We are aiming for a delivery as early as possible, so we desire short lead times. Comprehensive training should be provided for at least two members of facility staff after commissioning.

Warranty and Support

Reliable, efficient and prompt post-installation customer support is essential. We require a minimum 12-month fully-comprehensive post-commissioning warranty and a strong post-warranty service contract. Efficient aftersales engineer support is desired for the lifetime of the cryostat, as is remote support for the hardware via the internet.