Permanent-Magnet (PM) Rotors and Systems

Abstract

Permanent-magnet (PM) rotors, rotor components, and machines using PM rotors.

1 . A permanent-magnet (PM) rotor comprising:
 a rotor core having an axis of rotation; and   a plurality of PM bulks coupled to the rotor core;   where the rotor is configured such that the wave-induced voltage curve of the rotor is substantially sinusoidal.   
     
     
         2 . The rotor of  claim 1 , where the rotor is configured such that the wave-induced voltage curve is substantially sinusoidal under load. 
     
     
         3 . The rotor of  claim 1 , where the substantially sinusoidal wave-induced voltage curve has periodic maxima and periodic minima, each having a peak absolute deviation from a median, where each periodic maximum does not have a local minimum that deviates from the periodic maximum by more than ten percent of the peak absolute deviation of the periodic maximum, and where each periodic minimum does not have a local maximum that deviates from the periodic minimum by more than ten percent of the peak absolute deviation of the periodic minimum. 
     
     
         4 . The rotor of  claim 1 , where the PM bulks each have a first end and a second end, the outer surface extends between the first end and the second end, and the inner surface extends between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The rotor of  claim 1 , where the plurality of PM bulks are coupled around the axis of rotation of the rotor core at equiangular intervals. 
     
     
         6 . The rotor of  claim 5 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core without fasteners extending into or through the PM bulk. 
     
     
         7 . The rotor of  claim 5 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core independently of any adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The rotor of  claim 5 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core independently of any grooves in the outer surface of the rotor core. 
     
     
         9 . The rotor of  claim 5 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core independently of any radially oriented fasteners extending into the rotor core. 
     
     
         10 . The rotor of  claim 5 , where the PM bulks each have an outer surface with an outer radius of curvature, the rotor further comprising:
 a plurality of clamps each having a clamping portion with an outer surface and two inner clamping surfaces, the inner clamping surfaces each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the outer radius of curvature of the PM bulks, and the outer surface having an outer radius of curvature;   where the plurality of clamps are coupled to the rotor core such that each clamp is disposed between two adjacent PM bulks and such that the outer surface of each of the plurality of clamps is concentrically disposed about the axis of rotation of the rotor core.   
     
     
         11 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A permanent-magnet (PM) rotor comprising:
 a rotor core having an axis of rotation and an outer surface, the outer surface having a first radius of curvature extending between the axis of rotation and the outer surface; and   a plurality of PM bulks each having an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface having an inner radius of curvature substantially equal to the first radius of curvature of the rotor core, and the outer surface having an outer radius of curvature that is smaller than the first radius of curvature;   where the plurality of PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core such that the inner surface of each PM bulk is adjacent to the outer surface of the rotor core.   
     
     
         20 . The rotor of  claim 19 , where the PM bulks each have a first end and a second end, the outer surface extends between the first end and the second end, and the inner surface extends between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         21 . The rotor of  claim 19 , where the plurality of PM bulks are coupled around the axis of rotation of the rotor core at equiangular intervals. 
     
     
         22 . The rotor of  claim 21 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core without fasteners extending into or through the PM bulk. 
     
     
         23 . The rotor of  claim 21 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core independently of any adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The rotor of  claim 21 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core independently of any grooves in the outer surface of the rotor core. 
     
     
         25 . The rotor of  claim 21 , where the PM bulks are coupled to the rotor core independently of any radially oriented fasteners extending into the rotor core. 
     
     
         26 . The rotor of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a plurality of clamps each having a clamping portion with an outer surface and two inner clamping surfaces, the inner clamping surfaces each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the outer radius of curvature of the PM bulks, and the outer surface having an outer radius of curvature;   where the plurality of clamps are coupled to the rotor core such that each clamp is disposed between two adjacent PM bulks and such that the outer surface of each of the plurality of clamps is concentrically disposed about the axis of rotation of the rotor core.   
     
     
         27 . The rotor of  claim 26 , where the outer radius of curvature of the clamps is greater than the first radius of curvature of the rotor core. 
     
     
         28 . The rotor of  claim 26 , where the clamps and PM bulks each magnetically insulate the N pole of one of one of the two adjacent PM bulks from the S pole of the other of the two PM bulks. 
     
     
         29 .- 35 . (canceled)