Engineers at General Atomics in San Diego needed a power converter for a new ship engine they were building under contract to the Office of Naval Research. They found a solution in a modular 40-megawatt power converter from SatCon Technology Corp. in Boston.
General Atomics’ technicians will use it to control a full-scale, superconducting DC Homopolar Motor (HPM). The Homopolar Motor propulsion system will provide benefits of higher efficiencies, smaller size, and weight savings. This technology has direct applicability to both military and civilian propulsion systems and represents a major step forward in technology for “all electric” ship applications.
SatCon Technology Corp. is a developer and manufacturer of electronics and motors for the alternative energy, hybrid-electric vehicle, grid support, high reliability electronics, and advanced power technology markets.
“SatCon is pleased to be participating in the Navy’s advanced propulsion and power distribution programs. The HPM program enables SatCon to develop propulsion power technology for the military that we believe could represent the future of propulsion and power distribution technology for ships and other commercial platforms,” said Millard Firebaugh, SatCon’s president and COO.
For more information, see www.satcon.com.
