Method for making a rotor for an electric motor

A method for making a rotor for an electric motor comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a motor shaft having a generally longitudinally-extending axis;
• b) obtaining a flux ring with a longitudinal end, a first annular disk disposed longitudinally inward of said longitudinal end and having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said motor shaft, and a second annular disk disposed at said longitudinal end and having an inside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said first annular disk;
• c) obtaining an elastomeric ring having a relaxed longitudinal length greater than the longitudinal distance between said first annular disk and the longitudinal end of said flux ring, having a relaxed inside diameter which is greater than the outside diameter of said motor shaft, and having a relaxed outside diameter which is greater than the inside diameter of said first annular disk and which is smaller than the inside diameter of said second annular disk;
• d) disposing said elastomeric ring and said flux ring with respect to said motor shaft such that said elastomeric ring circumferentially surrounds, and is generally coaxially aligned with, said motor shaft and such that said flux ring circumferentially surrounds, and is generally coaxially aligned with, said elastomeric ring;
• e) obtaining an annular end plate having an inside diameter which is greater than the outside diameter of said motor shaft and which is smaller than the outside diameter of said elastomeric ring and having an outside diameter which is greater than the inside diameter of said second annular disk;
• and
• f) attaching said annular end plate to the longitudinal end of said flux ring so as to longitudinally compress said elastomeric ring against said first annular disk and so as to radially inwardly and outwardly expand said elastomeric ring.