4 ms·
I think OP meant that electric motor losing superconductivity in-flight will cause irreversible run-away heating of the motor. Which must be mitigated by having
by coolspot 6y ago
I think OP meant that electric motor losing superconductivity in-flight will cause irreversible run-away heating of the motor. Which must be mitigated by having more motors than nominally needed, all with independent power supply and cryogenic contours.
- Valgrim 6y agoThe way I see it, losing superconductivity instantly shuts down the motor by tripping the circuit breaker, and causes it to transfer it's momentum energy into the surrounding liquid hydrogen. Some hydrogen might boil off, but it's nothing a safety valve can't handle. The plane can then glide to the closest airport or switch to a non-superconducting mode.
- userbinator 6y agoIf anything, losing superconductivity will cause less current to flow, since the resistance will increase greatly, and a massive amount of heat will be created.