For the first time in India, a 200 KVA superconducting generator has been designed, developed and successfully tested recently. This is the forerunner of a 5 MVA superconducting generator which is currently under development. The paper discussed the design, development and operational experience of a rotating helium transrfer coupling (HTC). This component enables the transfer of liquid helium from a storage dewar (stationary frame) into the rotor (rotating frame at 3000 rpm) and collection of evaporated helium gas from the driven and non-driven ends of the torque tubes of the rotor and the current leads back to the helium liquefier. The major challenges in the design of the HTC involve ensuring adequate quantity of liquid helium with minimal heat flux from the storage vessel to the rotor by the thermosiphon effect and prevention of contamination of the recovered helium. Also necessary control of the flow through the different passages is achieved using special clearance seal designs.
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