Ford Motor Company Limited

Duane Rasmussen

Michael Timothy York

Richard Kenneth Harris

Michael John Hatsios

In one embodiment of the present invention a rotor for an electrical machine comprises a shaft having a radially-reduced portion, the shaft defining an axis of rotation of the rotor. The rotor additionally includes a pole piece having a bore, the pole piece mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith about the axis. Further, the rotor comprises a member located about the shaft in the radially reduced portion and interference fit within the bore of the pole piece. In a second embodiment of the present invention, an electrical machine comprises a rotor which further comprises a shaft defining an axis of rotation of the rotor, a pole piece affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith and a rotor stop slip fit onto the shaft and bearing against the pole piece. The rotor stop also bears against another component of the electrical machine to define an axial position of the rotor within the electrical machine. In another embodiment of the present invention an electrical machine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation and having a radially-reduced portion. The electrical machine also includes a pole piece affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith about the axis of rotation, the pole piece defining an axial bore therethrough. Further, the electrical machine comprises a member located about the shaft in the radially-reduced portion of the shaft and material from the axial bore displaced into the radially-reduced portion.

Rotor shaft retention for an electrical machine

A slip ring assembly (36) adapted to mount on a rotor shaft (38) and to sealingly mount between respective seal surfaces (136,70) on a mold (134) and on a pole piece (24) during molding of a molded rotor assembly (20) is disclosed. The slip ring assembly (36) has a hub (94) supporting a pair of slip rings (102,104), a pair of terminals (96,98) and a mold shutoff ring (100) connected to the terminals (96,98). Seal surfaces (118,120) on the mold shutoff ring are adapted to sealingly mate with the respective seal surfaces on the pole piece (24) and on the mold (134) and to withstand large compressive loads being applied across the mold shutoff ring (100). The mold shutoff ring (100) prevents molten mold material from passing from the mold (134) to the slip rings (102,104) during molding of the molded rotor assembly (20).

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Dexter, MI, United States of America

Duane Rasmussen