Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Rotary
Reexamination Certificate
1996-04-15
2001-07-24
Tamai, Karl (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Rotary
C310S216006, C310S156030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06265802
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to dynamoelectric machines, and more particularly to a laminated rotor assembly and method for a dynamoelectric machine.
A dynamoelectric machine is a rotating electric machine capable of converting electric energy into mechanical energy (a motor) or converting mechanical energy into electric energy (a generator). A dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor housed within a stator. It is well known to form a rotor assembly by stacking many thin laminations of magnetic steel on a central shaft, axially compressing the stack and fixing the stack on the shaft. The laminations can be held together by bonding, welding, cleating or the like. Adhesives including an epoxy resin are commonly used to bond the laminations.
A specified orientation of each lamination is required to properly define the rotor poles and winding slots. Such orientation is commonly achieved by forming a key on the outer circumference of the shaft. A complementary keyway is formed on each lamination so that the laminations are properly aligned. In other prior art machines, splines are formed on the shaft and the laminations to align the stack on the shaft. Failure to properly align the laminations may cause rotor imbalance and difficulties in winding insertion. While laminations have been aligned in prior art devices, forming keys or splines in the outer circumference of the shaft is costly and is known to cause distortion in the shaft.
The art continues to seek improvements. It is desirable to economically secure rotor laminations to a shaft without causing distortion of the shaft. Furthermore, it is desirable to efficiently mount and align rotor laminations on a rotor shaft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a laminated rotor assembly for a dynamoelectric machine such as an electric motor. Rotor laminations are secured to the rotor shaft as radially inwardly extending protrusions are compressed. The rotor laminations are secured without use of costly keys and keyways or splines. Since a rotor shaft is not keyed or splined, rotor shaft distortion is eliminated.
In a preferred embodiment, a rotor assembly and method for a dynamoelectric machine includes a shaft having an outer circumferential surface defining a shaft diameter. The rotor assembly also includes a plurality of laminations, wherein each lamination has a central opening defining an inner periphery. The inner periphery includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending compressible protrusions defining an inner diameter slightly smaller than the shaft diameter. The protrusions are compressed as a lamination is mounted onto the shaft to form a press fit between the lamination and the shaft.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 5170086 (1992-12-01), Wrobel et al.
patent: 5218252 (1993-06-01), Iseman et al.
patent: 5349741 (1994-09-01), Neuenschwander
patent: 535706 (1993-07-01), None
patent: 2247004 (1975-06-01), None
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Tamai Karl
Warner Electric Technology, Inc.
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