# US 2014/0152136 A1 · Devices and methods for magnetic pole retention in electromagnetic machines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152136 A1 - Document ID: US20140152136A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,083 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Boulder Wind Power, Inc. - Applicants: Boulder Wind Power, Inc. - Inventors: James David Duford; Marc Eichinger; Stephane Eisen; Michael A. Kvam; Derek Petch; David Samsel; James S. Smith; Brian J. Sullivan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152136A1 ## CPC - H02K 1/278: Surface mounted magnets; Inset magnets - H02K 7/116: with gears - H02K 7/1838: {Generators mounted in a nacelle or similar structure of a horizontal axis wind turbine} - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract In some embodiments, an electromagnetic machine includes a rotor element configured for movement relative to a stator. The rotor element includes a magnetic support, a magnetic pole assembly, and a retainer. The magnetic support is formed, at least in part, from a ferromagnetic material and is configured to be coupled to the magnetic support. The retainer is coupled to both the magnetic support and the magnetic pole assembly. The retainer is further configured to be in a first state during a first time period and a second state during a second time period, after the first time period, such that during the second time period, the coupling of the magnetic pole assembly to the magnetic support is maintained. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-8. (canceled) ### Claim 9 (depends on 34) The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: the retainer member is deformable by the coupler such that the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly are maintained coupled to the magnetic support. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retainer member is plastically deformable by the coupler. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retainer member is elastically deformable by the coupler. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retainer member is formed with a strain hardening material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retainer member is disposed between the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the angled edge portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and the angled edge portion of the second magnetic pole assembly collectively define a channel, the retainer member disposed within the channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retainer member is disposed between the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly, the coupler being received within an opening defined in the magnetic support. ### Claim at position 9 16-22. (canceled) ### Claim 23 An apparatus, comprising: a rotor element configured to be disposed for rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to a stator, the rotor element being spaced from the stator in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, the rotor element including: a magnetic support formed at least in part of a ferromagnetic material, a first magnetic pole assembly coupled to the magnetic support, a second magnetic pole assembly coupled to the magnetic support, a retainer member having a first coupling portion matingly coupled to a coupling portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and to a coupling portion of the second magnetic pole assembly, and a coupler configured to maintain the retainer member coupled to the first magnetic pole assembly, the second magnetic pole assembly and to the magnetic support, the coupler being elongate and extending in the axial direction. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second coupling portion of the retainer member includes a wedged portion slidably coupled to a ramped portion on the magnetic support. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and the coupling portion of the second magnetic pole assembly collectively define an opening, the first coupling portion of the retainer member is received within the opening. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling portion of the first magnetic pole assembly includes a first stepped shoulder, the coupling portion of the second magnetic pole assembly includes a second stepped shoulder, the first coupling portion of the retainer member includes a T-shaped portion matingly received within the first stepped shoulder and the second stepped shoulder. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupler is threadably coupled to a threaded opening defined by the magnetic support. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and the coupling portion of the second magnetic pole assembly collectively define a first opening, the magnetic support defines a second opening, the retainer member being disposed at least partially within the first opening and within the second opening. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second coupling portion of the retainer includes a pin element, the coupler is a wedge element defining a keyway, the pin being slidably received within the keyway. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second coupling portion of the retainer includes a cut-out defined by the retainer, the coupler is a wedge slidably disposed within the cut-out of the retainer. ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the retainer member includes a second coupling portion configured to receive a portion of the coupler. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the retainer member has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and the coupling portion of the second magnetic pole assembly each include an angled surface configured to matingly couple to a corresponding surface of the retainer member. ### Claim 34 An apparatus, comprising: a rotor element configured to be disposed for rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to a stator, the rotor element being spaced from the stator in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation, the rotor element including: a magnetic support; a first magnetic pole assembly coupled to the magnetic support, a second magnetic pole assembly coupled to the magnetic support, the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly each having an angled edge portion; a retainer member having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width and extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the retainer member having a first angled edge portion and a second angled edge portion configured to matingly engage the angled edge portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and angled edge portion of the second magnetic pole assembly, respectively; and a coupler configured to maintain the retainer member coupled to the first magnetic pole assembly, the second magnetic pole assembly and to the magnetic support. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first angled edge portion of the first magnetic pole assembly and the second angled edge portion of the second magnetic pole assembly collectively define an opening, the first retainer member being disposed within the opening. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first coupler is threadably coupled to a threaded opening defined by the magnetic support. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising: a fastener configured to be disposed about a threaded portion of the first coupler and engage a surface of the magnetic support such that a compression force is exerted on the first retainer member. ### Claim 38 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly are each coupled to the magnetic support such that the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly are each facing the stator in the axial direction. ### Claim 39 (depends on 34) The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly are each coupled to the magnetic support such that the first magnetic pole assembly and the second magnetic pole assembly are each facing the stator in the axial direction.