Permanent magnet rotor construction wherein relative movement between components is prevented

• US 20050099079A1
• Filed: 11/10/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Calnetix Technologies, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Calnetix Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: McMullen, Patrick, Huynh, Co
• Granted Patent: US 7,042,118 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/156.11
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 1/2733 Annular magnets

Abstract

Rotor construction that comprises rotor a centrally located permanent magnet section having aligned magnet segments having a central hole throughout its length. A thin rod of magnetic steel is located in this central hole to support the permanent magnets from within. At each end of the rod are located threaded sections for attachment to supporting end stubs. A high strength steel sleeve is interference fit over both the magnets and the end stubs to provide a mechanical link from stub to stub. The guide rod insures that the end stubs and central magnet are concentric during initial processing, prevents relative motion between the rotor components and provides support for the magnet once the sleeve is installed.

Claims

1. A permanent magnet rotor assembly having a longitudinal axis comprising:

a permanent magnet having a central aperture extending along said longitudinal axis;

a rod member having first and second ends positioned within said central aperture and extending along longitudinal axis;

a first shaft member secured to said first end of said rod member;

a second shaft member secured to said second end of said rod member; and

a sleeve member extending along said longitudinal axis and fitted about a portion of said permanent magnet.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second rod member ends are threaded.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said first and second threaded ends extend into mating threaded openings formed in said first and second shaft members, respectively.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said rod member is fabricated from ferrous material.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said magnet comprises multiple disk shaped members.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said material comprises steel.

6. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said disk shaped members are bonded together.