Fully Encapsulating Dielectrics for Gaseous Helium Cooled Superconducting Power Cables

The Navys Next Generation Integrated Power Systems (NGIPS) for on shore, surface ships, and underwater vehicles will require novel power distribution systems. State of the art prime mover power generation and high power directed weapons require power distribution cables that surpass conventional copper cable capabilities. As such, the Navy has determined that electrical power systems must increase by an order of magnitude to address these power needs. Maintaining system efficiency without increasing spatial requirements and weight has led the Navy to investigate the application of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) cables. Due to dielectric insulation issues with the Navy preferred cooling medium, e2P suggests creating a team with the Center for Advanced Power Systems located at Florida State University (CAPS) to conduct research on possible synergetic insulation solutions that integrate the advantages of various proven insulation methods which encompass all necessary components. Years of experience with various dielectric and hermetic insulations provides the e2P/CAPS team with the unique advantage of efficiently merging various insulation technologies into one comprehensive insulation process. During the Phase I and Phase I Option efforts, the e2P/CAPS team will be able to down select from a myriad of insulation integration methods to the optimal insulation procedure.