# US 7,466,046 B2 · Methods and apparatus for operating an electric machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,466,046 B2 - Document ID: US7466046B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/428,633 - Filed: 2006-07-05 - Published: 2008-01-10 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-05 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Inventors: Konrad Roman Weeber; Kiruba Sivasubramaniam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466046B2 ## CPC - H02K 55/02: of the synchronous type - Y02E 40/60: Superconducting electric elements or equipment; Power systems integrating superconducting elements or equipment - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A method of operating a high speed machine, wherein the method includes providing at least one heteropolar generator that includes a stator, a rotor, and at least one stationary superconducting field coil therein. The method also includes coupling at least one cryogenic refrigeration system to the at least one stationary superconducting field coil, wherein the at least one cryogenic refrigeration system is coupled in flow communication with only the at least one stationary superconducting field coils to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the at least one stationary superconducting field coil. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a high speed machine, said method comprising: providing at least one heteropolar generator that includes a stator, a rotor, and at least one superconducting field coil therein, wherein each of the at least one superconducting field coils comprises a stationary superconducting field coil disposed on the stator; and coupling at least one cryogenic refrigeration system to the at least one stationary superconducting field coil, wherein the at least one cryogenic refrigeration system is coupled in flow communication with only the at least one stationary superconducting field coil to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of solely the at least one stationary superconducting field coil. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing at least one heteropolar generator further comprises providing at least one heteropolar generator that includes at least two stationary superconducting field coils therein. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: operating the heteropolar generator as a heteropolar alternator, wherein the alternator includes at least one stationary superconducting field coil therein; and coupling only the at least one stationary superconducting field coil in flow communication wit the at least one cryogenic refrigeration system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing at least one heteropolar generator further comprises providing at least one heteropolar generator that includes at least one stationary high temperature superconducting field coil fabricated from material selected from at least one of a Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10, YBa2Cu3O7, and a MgB2 material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling at least one cryogenic refrigeration system to the at least one stationary superconducting field coil further comprises channeling cryogenic cooling fluid to the at least one stationary superconducting field coil without the use of a cryogenic transfer coupling. ### Claim 6 A high speed machine comprising: at least one heteropolar generator including at least one of a stator, a rotor, and at least one superconducting field coil therein, wherein each of the at least one superconducting field coils comprises a stationary superconducting field coil disposed on the stator; and at least one cryogenic refrigeration system in flow communication solely with said at least one stationary superconducting field coil to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of only said at least one stationary superconducting field coil. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least one heteropolar generator includes at least two stationary superconducting field coils therein. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least one heteropolar generator is a heteropolar alternator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least one heteropolar generator further comprises at least one stationary high temperature superconducting field coil fabricated from at least one of a Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10, YBa2Cu3O7, and MgB2 material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) A machine in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least one cryogenic refrigeration system further comprises a cryogenic cooling fluid in flow communication with said at least one stationary superconducting field coil without the use of a cryogenic transfer coupling. ### Claim 11 A power generation system comprising: at least one prime mover; at least one heteropolar generator rotatably coupled to said at least one prime mover, said at least one generator including a stator, a rotor, and at least one superconducting field coil therein, wherein each of the at least one superconducting field coils comprises a stationary superconducting field coil disposed on the stator; and at least one cryogenic refrigeration system coupled in flow communication solely with said at least one stationary superconducting field coil to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of only said at least one stationary superconducting field coil. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said at least one heteropolar generator further comprises at least one cryogenic fluid supply line and at least one cryogenic fluid return line, each line coupled in flow communication with only said at least one stationary superconducting field coil. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said heteropolar generator is a heteropolar alternator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said at least one heteropolar generator further comprises at least one stationary high temperature superconducting field coil fabricated from material selected from at least one of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10, YBa2Cu3O7, and MgB2 material.