Patent ID: 6974522

Claim:
A method for assembling a plurality of magnet segments on an interior surface of a cylindrical back ring for incorporation in a permanent magnet electric motor, the magnet segments each having an arcuate outer surface substantially conforming to the curve of the interior ring surface and being arranged in circumaxially spaced relationship on the interior surface of the ring when assembly is complete; the method comprising the steps of releasably securing the magnet segments on the exterior surface of an expandable and contractible fixture in the desired circumaxially spaced arrangement, providing an adhesive tape and an application means and applying the adhesive from the tape sequentially to the magnet segments by rotating the fixture relative to the adhesive applying means effecting relative axial movement between the fixture and the segments thereon and an axially aligned back ring to enter the former to a desired position within the ring, expanding the fixture to press the magnet segments firmly into engagement with the interior ring surface and thereby bonding the magnets to the surface, and contracting the fixture and again effecting relative axial movement between the ring and the fixture and magnet segments to remove the latter from the interior of the ring.