System and method for smoothing a salient rotor in electrical machines

摘要

An electrical machine exhibiting reduced friction and windage losses is disclosed. The electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor assembly configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor assembly comprises a rotor core including a plurality of salient rotor poles that are spaced apart from one another around an inner hub such that an interpolar gap is formed between each adjacent pair of salient rotor poles, with an opening being defined by the rotor core in each interpolar gap. Electrically non-conductive and non-magnetic inserts are positioned in the gaps formed between the salient rotor poles, with each of the inserts including a mating feature formed an axially inner edge thereof that is configured to mate with a respective opening being defined by the rotor core, so as to secure the insert to the rotor core against centrifugal force experienced during rotation of the rotor assembly.

主权项

1. An electrical machine comprising:
a stator; a rotor assembly disposed within the stator and configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor assembly comprises:
a rotor core comprising a plurality of salient rotor poles that are spaced apart from one another around an inner hub such that an interpolar gap is formed between each adjacent pair of salient rotor poles, with an opening being defined by the rotor core in each interpolar gap; anda plurality of inserts positioned in the gaps formed between the plurality of salient rotor poles, wherein each of the plurality of inserts comprises:
an outer shell formed of a first electrically nonconductive and non-magnetic material, the outer shell defining a hollow area there within; andan inner filler material positioned in the hollow area defined by the outer shell, the inner filler material being formed of a second nonconductive and non-magnetic material having a lower density than the first electrically nonconductive and non-magnetic material.