Abstract: A method includes heating a housing of an electric machine to thermally expand the housing, positioning a mount having power and control electronics assembled thereon and in contact therewith in the housing and against an internal stop defined within the housing, and allowing the housing to cool and thermally contract against the mount thereby forming an interference fit between the housing and the mount. The interference fit secures the mount within the housing. The mount and the housing have coefficients of thermal expansion such that the interference fit is maintained across an operating temperature range of the machine. The electric machine may also include a segmented or non-segmented stator within the housing.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an electric machine includes a rotatable shaft, a rotor core coupled to the shaft for common rotation, and an impeller coupled to the shaft for common rotation. A bearing is coupled to the shaft generally between the rotor core and the impeller. The bearing can include an outer race sized smaller than an opening defined by the machine housing. The bearing can include steel rolling elements such as steel balls or generally cylindrical steel rollers. An adaptor sleeve can be disposed generally around the outer race. The adaptor sleeve can be disposed within the opening defined by the housing for securing the adaptor sleeve and the bearing within the opening defined by the housing.

Abstract: A resilient isolation member is configured for use with an electric machine having a housing, a stator within the housing, and an end shield. The resilient isolation member includes first and second end portions, a sidewall extending between the first and second end portions, and a lip is disposed along an outer surface of the sidewall. The resilient isolation member is sized for mounting between the end shield and the stator, with the first and second end portions respectively abutting against a first inner portion of the end shield and a portion of the stator and with the lip abutting against a second inner portion of the end shield and a portion of the housing.

Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing, an end shield, a stator, and a rotor assembly. The end shield can define at least one pin, and the stator can define at least one track. The stator can be positioned on the end shield such that the pin is received within the track. The stator can be captured between the end shield and a stop within the housing. The rotor assembly can include an adaptor sleeve and/or a bearing with a plurality of steel rolling elements. End caps can be coupled to the stator, and power and control electronics can be integrated within the housing.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to maximize the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A sensorless switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A sensorless drive circuit derives rotor position and energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the derived rotor position. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A winding end cap assembly for an electric machine with a stator and stator poles includes first and second end caps that are connected to opposite axial end surfaces of one of the stator poles. First and second inner winding retainer sections extend axially to connect an inner end of the first end cap to an inner end of the second end cap. The first and second end caps include an outer section, an inner section and a hub section that connects the outer section to the inner section. The first and second end caps and the first and second inner winding retainer sections define a continuous annular channel that receives and retains winding wire. First and second outer retainer sections connect the first and second end caps adjacent to the outer sections or the hub sections of the first and second end caps.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan housing and a fan. A switched reluctance fan motor is mounted in an inlet of the fan housing and includes a shaft that is connected to the fan. The switched reluctance fan motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include a stator segment core. Winding wire is wound around the stator segment core. A rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub that is rotated by a switched reluctance motor. The tub includes an outer tub and an inner tub. The drive is a direct drive or a drive assembly that includes a shaft, a belt and a spinner pulley connected to the tub. The switched reluctance motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies. Winding wire is wound around a stator segment core of the stator segment assemblies. A rotor is connected to the shaft that drives the belt and rotates the spinner pulley. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for assembling an electric machine. The electric machine includes a plurality of stator segment assemblies that are mounted inside of a housing of an electric machine. The stator segment assemblies are positioned around an outer surface of an assembly fixture. The stator segment assemblies are held to the assembly fixture using a magnetic field that is generated by the assembly fixture. The housing is press fit or hot dropped over the stator segment assemblies. If the housing is hot dropped, the housing is heated to cause the housing to expand. The housing is positioned over the stator segment assemblies while the housing is hot. The housing cools and contracts around the stator segment assemblies to form an interference fit with the stator segment assemblies and then the stator and the housing are removed from the assembly fixture.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle includes a steering wheel, a steering shaft connected to said steering wheel, and a switched reluctance motor coupled to said steering shaft. The switched reluctance motor includes a segmented stator having a plurality of stator segment assemblies that define salient stator poles and inter-pole stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates defining a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire that is wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the rotational position of the rotor.

Abstract: A sensorless switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to a rotational position that maximizes the inductance of an energized winding. A sensorless drive circuit derives rotor position and energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on the derived rotor position. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub that is rotated by a switched reluctance motor. The tub includes an outer tub and an inner tub. The drive is a direct drive or a drive assembly that includes a shaft, a belt and a spinner pulley connected to the tub. The switched reluctance motor includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies. Winding wire is wound around a stator segment core of the stator segment assemblies. A rotor is connected to the shaft that drives the belt and rotates the spinner pulley. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. End cap assemblies are connected to opposite axial ends of the stator segment core. The end cap assemblies define an annular channel for receiving the winding wire and for preventing winding creep.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a stator with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced stator segment assemblies that include salient stator poles and inter-polar stator slots. Each of the stator segment assemblies includes a stack of stator plates forming a stator segment core, an end cap assembly, and winding wire wound around the stator segment core and the end cap assembly. The rotor defines a plurality of rotor poles. The rotor tends to rotate relative to the stator to maximize the inductance of an energized winding. A drive circuit energizes the winding wire around the stator segment assemblies based on a rotational position of the rotor. Each stator plate includes a first radially outer rim section and a tooth section that extends radially inwardly from a first center portion of the first radially outer rim section.

Abstract: A winding end cap assembly for an electric machine with a stator and stator poles includes first and second end caps that are connected to opposite axial end surfaces of one of the stator poles. First and second inner winding retainer sections extend axially to connect an inner end of the first end cap to an inner end of the second end cap. The first and second end caps include an outer section, an inner section and a hub section that connects the outer section to the inner section. The first and second end caps and the first and second inner winding retainer sections define a continuous annular channel that receives and retains winding wire. First and second outer retainer sections connect the first and second end caps adjacent to the outer sections or the hub sections of the first and second end caps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for assembling an electric machine. The electric machine includes a plurality of stator segment assemblies that are mounted inside of a housing of an electric machine. The stator segment assemblies are positioned around an outer surface of an assembly fixture. The stator segment assemblies are held to the assembly fixture using a magnetic field that is generated by the assembly fixture. The housing is press fit or hot dropped over the stator segment assemblies. If the housing is hot dropped, the housing is heated to cause the housing to expand. The housing is positioned over the stator segment assemblies while the housing is hot. The housing cools and contracts around the stator segment assemblies to form an interference fit with the stator segment assemblies and then the stator and the housing are removed from the assembly fixture.

Abstract: A fast-drying ink-receptive sheet having a coating comprising a blend of from about 35% to about 85% of at least one hydrophilic liquid absorbent polymer and from about 15% to about 65% of a polyethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, having a preferred acrylic acid level of at least about 10%; such coating can be used alone, or preferably such coating is part of a coating system also including an ink-transmissive upper layer which provides improved mud-cracking properties.

Abstract: Ink-receptive compositions of the invention containa) at least one nonionic silicone surfactant having the formulas: ##STR1## or the formula(CH.sub.3 Si).sub.y-2 ?(OSi(CH.sub.3).sub.2).sub.x/y O-PEwherein x is an integer from about 40 to about 200, and y is an integer from about 3 to about 15, and PE represents the formula--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n Zm being an integer of from 1 to about 40, n having a value of from 0 to about 40 minus m, and Z is hydrogen or an alkyl radical having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, andb) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxycellulose and substituted hydroxycellulose polymers,such composition being crosslinkable when coated onto a substrate and subjected to temperatures of at least about 90.degree. C.