Patent ID: 7661185

Claim:
A method for assembling a permanent magnet rotor, the rotor being comprised of a non-magnetic cylindrical shaft having a larger diameter central axial section and two smaller diameter bearing sections, the central section having an even number of recesses defining an even number of ribs with overhung slots, said method comprising the steps of: a) placing a fixture over a smaller diameter bearing section of the rotor and abutting one end of the central section, the axial end of the fixture adjacent the central section having a configuration matching the central section, including ribs and overhung slots; b) sliding magnets in magnet carriers and C-shaped lamination stacks over the ribs of the fixture to assemble a row; c) placing a split compression ring over the outer diameter of the C-shaped lamination stacks assembled on the ribs and joining the split compression ring to compress the C-shaped lamination stacks sufficiently to provide a riding clearance between the C-shaped lamination stacks and the overhung slots; d) sliding the compression ring and the assembled row of magnets in magnet carriers and C-shaped lamination stacks onto the rotor; and e) removing the compression ring leaving the assembled row of magnets in magnet carriers and C-shaped lamination stacks in place on the rotor.