System and method for smoothing a salient rotor in electrical machines

摘要

An electrical machine 1 exhibiting reduced friction and windage losses is disclosed. The electrical machine 1 includes a stator 2 and a rotor assembly 32 configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor assembly comprises a rotor core including a plurality of salient rotor poles 12 that are spaced apart from one another around an inner hub such that an interpolar gap 3 is formed between each adjacent pair of salient rotor poles 12, with an opening being defined by the rotor core in each interpolar gap 90. Electrically non-conductive and non-magnetic inserts 88 are positioned in the gaps 90 formed between the salient rotor poles, with each of the inserts 88 having a shape that is configured to mate with a respective opening 86 being defined by the rotor core, so as to secure the insert 88 to the rotor core against centrifugal force experienced during rotation of the rotor assembly 32.