Patent ID: 6426581
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
A magnet retainer ring for use in a vehicle alternator having a rotatable shaft supporting an electric coil wound coaxially about said shaft, said coil being encased in opposed claw pole pieces having radially extending magnetically permeable faces adjacent to axially opposed faces of said coil and having interdigitating fingers enclosing the outer circumference of said coil, said magnet retainer ring comprising:a substantially annular body for fitting coaxially about said shaft and around said coil; and a plurality of pockets extending axially on either side of said annular body so as to be positioned beneath said interdigitating fingers, the pockets having walls defining a corresponding plurality of cavities opening radially therethrough and sized to receive a corresponding plurality of permanent magnets therein such that at least a portion of each of the magnets are at least partially disposed in the corresponding opening.