A rotor structure for a rotary electric machine in which an inner surface of a hollow rotor core and an outer surface of a shaft inserted into a hole of the rotor core are fitted together by mutual engagement between a projection and a recess to compose a rotor, the rotor structure including: a first retainer brought into contact with one end of the rotor core; and a second retainer brought into contact with a surface of the first retainer opposite to a surface in contact with the rotor core so as to fix the first retainer and the rotor core to the shaft, wherein a coefficient of static friction of a first sliding surface between the first retainer and the second retainer is smaller than any other sliding surface provided in the rotor.

An improved hybrid magnetic engine/generator apparatus and method includes a shaft. A pair of oppositely positioned ferrous metal arms is connected to the shaft where the ferrous metal arms include a first end and a second end. Wire is wrapped in non-overlapping fashion around the ferrous metal arms and the wire includes a positive power connection and a negative power connection. A power source is connected with positive power connection and the negative power connection. A stacking magnet is located at the second end of the ferrous metal arms and an opposing magnet is located opposite from and in proximity to the first end of both of the oppositely positioned ferrous metal arms. A device for selectively connecting with the power source is provided such that the wire is intermittently charged such that polarity at the first end of the ferrous metal arms is intermittently changed.

The laminated core (12) comprises laminations (10), which are arranged one over the other and which are each connected to each other by means of a first connection (9, 15). In addition, at least some of the laminations (10) are connected to each other by means of a second connection (11). By using two connections, the advantages thereof can be bundled, whereby the number and/or size of the connection points can be reduced while the requirement for the laminated core (12) remains the same or very high requirements for the laminated core (12) can be met or even increased. Advantageously, an adhesive is used as one of the connections (11), while the other connection (9, 15) can be a form-fitting connection. The adhesive (11) is applied to the lower side (13) and/or upper side (14) of the laminations (10) before or after the punching of the laminations (10). However, the two connections can also be formed by two adhesive systems. Finally, the connections (9, 10; 11) can also be formed by at least one weld seam and additionally by an adhesive.

A void group made up of plural voids is formed on an outer circumferential side of a longitudinal end portion of a permanent magnet provided in a rotating electric machine rotor. The void group includes a first void and a second void row where plural second voids are formed at predetermined intervals at a position further radially outwards than the first void. A rib is formed between a pair of adjacent second voids of the second void row. End portions of the first void respectively overlap the pair of adjacent second voids. An imaginary line that extends along the center of the rib passes through at least part of the first void. A magnetic pole center-side end portion of the void group extends from the outer circumferential surface of the permanent magnet towards an outer circumferential surface of a rotor core.

A rotating electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. An imaging device images a test target portion which is a part of the rotor, to generate image data of the test target portion, and transmits the generated image data to an image processing device. The image processing device generates strain change information representing change in the strain distribution in the test target portion by digital image correlation on the basis of the test image data generated by the imaging device. The state of the rotor is tested using the generated strain change information.

A rotating electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. An imaging device images a test target portion which is a part of the rotor, to generate image data of the test target portion, and transmits the generated image data to an image processing device. The image processing device generates strain change information representing change in the strain distribution in the test target portion by digital image correlation on the basis of the test image data generated by the imaging device. The state of the rotor is tested using the generated strain change information.

An object of the present invention is to reduce stress caused by press-fitting of a shaft on an outer edge portion side of a rotor. A rotor for a rotating electric machine includes a shaft and a rotor iron core, the shaft coupled to the rotor iron core. The rotor iron core includes: an outer edge portion housing a magnet; an inner edge portion coupled to the shaft; and a rib portion having a lightening portion that is formed inside between the outer edge portion and the inner edge portion. The rib portion includes: a through-hole forming portion connected to the outer edge portion and having a through-hole inside; and a bridge portion connecting the through-hole forming portion and the inner edge portion. The bridge portion includes: a second bridge portion connected to the through-hole forming portion and protruding outward; and a first bridge portion having one end connected to the inner edge portion and another end connected to the second bridge portion. A bent portion is provided at a position connecting the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion.

An object of the present invention is to reduce stress caused by press-fitting of a shaft on an outer edge portion side of a rotor. A rotor for a rotating electric machine includes a shaft and a rotor iron core, the shaft coupled to the rotor iron core. The rotor iron core includes: an outer edge portion housing a magnet; an inner edge portion coupled to the shaft; and a rib portion having a lightening portion that is formed inside between the outer edge portion and the inner edge portion. The rib portion includes: a through-hole forming portion connected to the outer edge portion and having a through-hole inside; and a bridge portion connecting the through-hole forming portion and the inner edge portion. The bridge portion includes: a second bridge portion connected to the through-hole forming portion and protruding outward; and a first bridge portion having one end connected to the inner edge portion and another end connected to the second bridge portion. A bent portion is provided at a position connecting the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion.

A system to reduce eddy currents and the resulting losses in a synchronous motor includes at least one pick-up coil mounted to the rotor. Each pick-up coil may be located proximate a pole on the rotor. A voltage applied to the stator to control the synchronous motor includes both a fundamental component and harmonic components. The fundamental component interacts with a magnetically salient structure in each pole on the rotor to cause rotation of the rotor. The harmonic components induce a voltage in the pick-up coil. The portion of the harmonic components that induce a voltage in the pick-up coil no longer generate eddy currents within the motor. The energy harvested by the pick-up coil may also be utilized in a function other than driving the motor, such as powering a sensor mounted on the rotor.

A rotor fabrication method is provided, along with the resultant rotor assembly. The rotor uses pre-fabricated conductive rotor bars in which the ends have been shaped and sized to fit within corresponding end cap receptacles. After assembly, the structure is compressed, thereby achieving mechanical and electrical coupling between the conductive rotor bars and the end caps. Locking members disposed at either end of the assembly maintain the desired level of axial compressive force on the structure.