Patent ID: 6657333
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
A rotor for use with a superconducting electric motor comprising:a rotor support shaft having an outer surface having a first diameter for receiving a support bearing and having an inner axial bore; a vacuum seal having an interface dividing stationary and rotating portion of the vacuum seal, the interface having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a superconducting rotor winding communicating with the rotor support shaft to rotate therewith a vacuum jacket attached to the rotor support shaft to surround the superconducting rotor winding thereby providing thermal insulation, wherein the inner bore of the rotor support shaft communicates with an interior of the vacuum jacket; and a non-rotating vacuum line communicating with the inner bore so as to provide a path of evacuation of the interior of the vacuum jacket through the inner bore into the vacuum line wherein the vacuum seal fits between the vacuum line and the inner bore with one of the stationary and rotating portions of the vacuum seal fitting against the vacuum line and one of the stationary and rotating portions of the vacuum seal fitting against the inner bore.