Patent ID: 8901795

Claim:
A method for securing a plurality of permanent magnets within a rotor core that includes a first end, a second end, and a plurality of permanent magnet openings, each permanent magnet opening configured to receive a permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets, the plurality of permanent magnets extending between the first end and the second end, said method comprising: coupling a first rotor end lamination to the first end of the rotor core, the first rotor end lamination including a plurality of inner lamination walls that define a first lamination opening and a second lamination opening circumferentially adjacent the first lamination opening, the first and second lamination openings being similarly configured, wherein at least one inner lamination wall includes at least one permanent magnet retention feature configured to secure the permanent magnet within the rotor core, and wherein the at least one permanent magnet retention feature includes at least one pre-formed tab extending radially from at least one of the plurality of inner lamination walls within the first rotor end lamination; positioning the permanent magnet at least partially within the at least one permanent magnet opening such that the permanent magnet is secured within the at least one permanent magnet opening by the at least one tab; coupling a second rotor end lamination to the second end of the rotor core . . . a radially outermost edge of the second rotor end lamination, wherein an entire length of said radially outer wall of the plurality of inner lamination walls is curved; and mechanically deforming the bridge to secure the permanent magnet within the at least one permanent magnet opening.