Remotely driven cryocooler for a superconducting generator

A superconducting generator comprising:

• a housing extending a first length and defining an insulating vacuum enclosure therein;
• at least one superconducting field winding disposed within the insulating vacuum enclosure and spaced apart from the housing;
• a thermal shield disposed within the insulating vacuum enclosure and surrounding and spaced apart from the at least one superconducting field winding;
• and
• a cooling assembly in fluid communication with the at least one superconducting field winding, the cooling assembly comprising:
• at least one cryocooler assembly operable between an ON-state of operation and an OFF-state of operation;
• and
• at least one additional cryocooler assembly operable between an ON-state of operation and an OFF-state of operation, wherein the at least one additional cryocooler comprises:
• a remotely driven cryocooler operable between an ON-state of operation and an OFF-state of operation and defining a first stage of the at least one additional cryocooler assembly;
• a liquefaction cup in fluidic communication with a cryogenic fluid reservoir, wherein a plurality of conduits thermally couple the liquefaction cup to the fluid reservoir and define a second stage of the at least one additional cryocooler assembly;
• and
• one or more of a valve, a gas/liquid switch, a support arm and a heat pipe coupled to the second stage of the at least one additional cryocooler assembly to remotely disconnect a heat path generated by the at least one additional cryocooler assembly between the first stage and the second stage during the OFF-state of operation.

A method of operating a cooling assembly for a superconducting generator, the cooling assembly comprising a first cryocooler assembly and at least one remotely driven cryocooler assembly, the method comprising:

• operating the first cryocooler assembly in an ON-state of operation and the at least one remotely driven cryocooler assembly in an OFF-state of operation, wherein a heat path is generated between a first stage and a second stage of the at least one remotely driven cryocooler assembly during the OFF-state of operation;
• remotely actuating one or more of a valve, a gas/liquid switch, a support arm and a heat pipe coupled to the second stage of the at least one remotely driven cryocooler assembly to remotely disconnect the heat path from the first stage of the at least one remotely driven cryocooler;
• continuing operation of the first cryocooler until one of failure of the first cryocooler or additional cooling power is required;
• and
• remotely actuating the one or more of a valve, the gas/liquid switch, the support arm and the heat pipe, coupled to the second stage of the at least one remotely driven cryocooler assembly, to remotely connect the heat path from the first stage of the at least one remotely driven cryocooler to the second stage of the at least one remotely driven cryocooler.