Multilayer radiation shield

A power generation system, comprising:

• (a) a generator comprising a rotor including a superconductive rotor coil coupled to a rotatable shaft;
• (b) a first prime mover drivingly coupled to the rotatable shaft;
• and
• (c) a thermal radiation shield, partially surrounding the superconductive rotor coil, comprising:
• (i) a first sheet having at least one surface formed from a low emissivity material;
• (ii) at least one additional sheet having at least one surface formed from a low emissivity material spaced apart from the first sheet by centripetal force produced by the rotatable shaft, wherein each successive sheet is an incrementally greater circumferential arc length, and wherein the centripetal force shapes the sheets into a substantially catenary shape
• (d) a second prime mover drivingly coupled to the rotatable shaft;
• and a cryogenic transfer coupling disposed intermediate the first prime mover and the second prime mover to enable cryogenic fluid to be transferred to the superconductive rotor coil via the rotatable shaft.