XML 77 R58.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended						3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended										12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Nov. 19, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 05, 2011 Claim	May 12, 2011 Employee Claim	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 11, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 17, 2011 Bonds USD ($) Claim	Aug. 29, 2014 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd USD ($)	Aug. 29, 2014 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd EUR (€)	Jan. 14, 2014 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd USD ($)	May 12, 2011 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd USD ($)	May 12, 2011 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2014 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd Scenario, Previously Reported USD ($)	Feb. 27, 2012 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Feb. 27, 2012 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. CNY	Dec. 22, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Dec. 22, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. CNY	Oct. 17, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Oct. 17, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. CNY	Oct. 08, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Oct. 08, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. CNY	Sep. 13, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Sep. 13, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. CNY	Mar. 31, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. CNY	Sep. 16, 2011 Dalian Guotong Electric Co. Ltd. USD ($)	Sep. 16, 2011 Dalian Guotong Electric Co. Ltd. CNY	Feb. 04, 2015 Subsequent Event Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd USD ($)	Feb. 04, 2015 Subsequent Event Ghodawat Energy Pvt Ltd EUR (€)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Adverse purchase commitments				$ 0us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted		$ 402,000us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
Sought compensation amount	10,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue										24,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember	18,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember				17,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	105,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	190,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	1,200,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	157,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	1,000,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	58,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	370,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember			76,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	485,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember
Counterclaims under License Agreement											8,000,000amsc_CounterclaimForDamagesSought / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember	6,000,000amsc_CounterclaimForDamagesSought / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember
Liability for damages							475,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue / us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesByTypeAxis = us-gaap_BondsMember	10,100,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember	8,300,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember
Interest rate accrued on liability for damage								5.33%amsc_LossContingencyInterestRate / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember	5.33%amsc_LossContingencyInterestRate / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember
Loss contingency recorded														10,200,000us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember	500,000us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Reimbursement of arbitration expenses										2,300,000amsc_ReimbursementOfArbitrationExpenses / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember
Expected reversal of previously reimbursed expense													2,000,000amsc_AccruedExpenseReversal / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember
Settlement amount																														8,500,000us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember	7,450,000us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_GhodawatEnergyPvtLtdMember / us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis = us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Expected gain on reversal accrued arbitration liability				1,300,000us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement
Number of putative securities complaints			7us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber				4us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber / us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesByTypeAxis = us-gaap_BondsMember
Number of officers putative securities filed against			2amsc_NumberOfOfficersPutativeSecuritiesFiledAgainst
Number of complaints additionally asserted claims against the underwriters			1amsc_NumberOfComplaintAdditionallyAssertedClaimsAgainstUnderwriters
Settlement amount expected to be funded by insurers				8,200,000us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable
Settlement amount expected to be paid by issuance of common stock				1,800,000amsc_SettlementAmountExpectedToBePaidByIssuanceOfCommonStock
Common stock, capital shares reserved for future issuance				944,882us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Shortfall payment					500,000amsc_ShortfallPayment
Number of claims consolidated		3amsc_LossContingencyNumberOfClaimsConsolidated
Value of the undelivered components																										720,000,000amsc_SupplyCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	4,600,000,000amsc_SupplyCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember
Damages claimed for unauthorized use of software																								6,000,000amsc_DamagesClaimedForUnauthorizedUseOfSoftware / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	38,000,000amsc_DamagesClaimedForUnauthorizedUseOfSoftware / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember
Monetary damages for trade secret infringement																								453,000,000amsc_MonetaryDamagesForTradeSecretInfringement / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember	2,900,000,000amsc_MonetaryDamagesForTradeSecretInfringement / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_SinovelWindGroupCoLtdMember
Monetary losses from copyright infringement																												200,000amsc_MonetaryLossesFromCopyrightInfringement / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_DalianGuotongElectricCoLtdMember	1,200,000amsc_MonetaryLossesFromCopyrightInfringement / dei_LegalEntityAxis = amsc_DalianGuotongElectricCoLtdMember
Restricted cash included in current assets				1,508,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue		2,913,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Restricted cash				$ 100,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent		$ 3,394,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent

X

- Definition

Accrued expense reversal.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_AccruedExpenseReversal
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	amsc_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Counterclaim for damages sought.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_CounterclaimForDamagesSought
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Damages claimed for unauthorized use of software.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_DamagesClaimedForUnauthorizedUseOfSoftware
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Loss contingency interest rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_LossContingencyInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Loss contingency number of claims consolidated.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_LossContingencyNumberOfClaimsConsolidated
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Monetary damages for trade secret infringement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_MonetaryDamagesForTradeSecretInfringement
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Monetary losses from copyright infringement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_MonetaryLossesFromCopyrightInfringement
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of complaints additionally asserted claims against the underwriters.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_NumberOfComplaintAdditionallyAssertedClaimsAgainstUnderwriters
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of officers putative securities filed against.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_NumberOfOfficersPutativeSecuritiesFiledAgainst
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Reimbursement of arbitration expenses.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_ReimbursementOfArbitrationExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Settlement amount expected to be paid by issuance of common stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_SettlementAmountExpectedToBePaidByIssuanceOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Shortfall payment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_ShortfallPayment
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The floor amount as of the balance sheet date that the entity must expend to satisfy the terms of disclosed arrangements (excluding long-term commitments) in which the entity must commit resources to supply goods or services to one or more customers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_SupplyCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
Namespace Prefix:	amsc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in settlement of litigation and insurance claims. Excludes claims within an insurance entity's normal claims settlement process.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Minimum amount to be expended to satisfy the terms of arrangements in which the entity has agreed to expend funds to procure goods or services, excluding long-term purchase commitments or unconditional purchase obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 25

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 7



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 17

-Article 9



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a)(19))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Cash and equivalents whose use in whole or in part is restricted for the long-term, generally by contractual agreements or regulatory requirements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant