SPOKE PERMANENT MAGNET ROTORS FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME

摘要

A rotor assembly for an electric motor includes a spoke permanent magnet rot or and a shaft connected thereto. The spoke permanent magnet rotor has an axis of rotation, permanent magnet material, and ferro-magnetic material. The permanent magnet material extends outwardly relative to the axis of rotation to form a plurality of outwardly extending spoke portions of permanent magnet material. The ferro-magnetic material is positioned adjacent to the outwardly extending spoke portions of permanent magnet material. The shaft supports the spoke permanent magnet rotor for rotation about the axis of rotation. The permanent magnet material may circumferentially surround the axis of rotatio n to form a center portion of permanent magnet material. Further, the axis of rotation m ay pass through the permanent magnet material. The spoke permanent magnet rotor may be forme d using a compaction process and/or an injection molding process.