Patent ID: 6703741
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
A rotor configured for use with a vehicle alternator wherein the rotor rotates within and respect to a stator of the vehicle alternator, the rotor comprising a plurality of independent poles and permanent magnets circumferentially arranged in an alternating configuration such that each permanent magnet is positioned intermediate a pair of consecutive independent poles, the arrangement of the permanent magnets and independent poles defining an outer rotor perimeter and a central opening for receiving a shaft upon which the rotor rotates, each independent pole having a generally triangular cross-section that defines an apex portion that confronts the central opening and an end portion that forms a portion of the outer rotor perimeter, each permanent magnet having a reverse trapezoidal cross-section, a first end for confronting the central opening, and a second end that forms a portion of the outer rotor perimeter, each permanent magnet tapering from the first end to the second end, the rotor further comprising a pair of hubs, the permanent magnets and independent poles being positioned between the hubs, the independent poles being attached to the hubs in such a manner that there is no interconnection between the apex portions of the independent poles so as to induce magnetization having a direction that in substantially orthogonal to the radius of the rotor.