Nano-crystalline coating for magnet retention in a rotor assembly
AssigneeRolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
InventorsDavid Loder, Ellis Fui Hen Chong, Edward Claude Rice
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotor assembly with a rotor hub, a plurality of permanent magnets positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the rotor hub, and a coating on at least a portion of the plurality of permanent magnets. The coating forming a retaining band that circumferentially extends around the rotor hub and the plurality of permanent magnets. The coating includes a nano-crystalline layer including a metal or metal alloy and defines an average grain size of less than about 50 nanometers (nm).
Claims19
A rotor assembly comprising:
- a rotor hub;
- a plurality of permanent magnets positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the rotor hub;
- and
- a coating on at least a portion of the plurality of permanent magnets, wherein the coating forms a retaining band that circumferentially extends around the rotor hub and the plurality of permanent magnets, wherein the coating comprises a nano-crystalline layer comprising a metal or metal alloy, and wherein the nano-crystalline layer defines an average grain size of less than about 50 nanometers (nm).
A method of forming a rotor assembly comprising:
- coupling a plurality of permanent magnets circumferentially around at least a portion of a rotor hub;
- and
- depositing a coating on at least a portion of the plurality of permanent magnets, wherein the coating forms a retaining band that circumferentially extends around the rotor hub and the plurality of permanent magnets, wherein the coating comprises a nano-crystalline layer comprising a metal or metal alloy, and wherein the nano-crystalline layer defines an average grain size of less than about 50 nanometers (nm).
A rotor assembly comprising:
- a rotor hub;
- a plurality of permanent magnets positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the rotor hub;
- wherein at least one permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets defines a mechanical interlock, the rotor hub defining a recess along the circumference of the rotor hub configured to receive the mechanical interlock of the at least one permanent magnet to retain the at least one permanent magnet against the rotor hub and substantially prevent radial movement of the at least one permanent magnet;
- and
- a coating comprising a first nano-crystalline layer that substantially encapsulates the at least one permanent magnet, the first nano-crystalline layer comprising a metal or metal alloy, and wherein the first nano-crystalline layer defines an average grain size of less than about 50 nanometers (nm).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.