Patent ID: 7012350

Claim:
A switched reluctance machine comprising: a stator including a plurality of circumferentlally-spaced stator segment assemblies with a stator segment core and winding wire wound around said stator segment core that has slot fill that is greater than 65%; a rotor defining a plurality of rotor poles, wherein said rotor tends to rotate relative to said stator to maximize the inductance of an energized winding; and a drive circuit that energizes said winding wire around said stator segment assemblies to control operation of said switched reluctance machine based on a rotational position of said rotor; the stator segment core including a stack of stator plates; and the stator plates including a radially outer rim section; and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a center portion of said radially outer rim section; and projection extending from opposite sides of a radially inner end of said tooth section; and a first and second end caps connected to opposite face surfaces of said stator segment core; and first and second end cap retainer sections that extend along said projections and that connect said first and second end caps, wherein said first and second end caps and said first and second end cap retainer sections reduce movement of said winding wire during use.