Abstract: A rotor shaft for an electric motor includes an axially extending tubular body having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow interior thereof with at least a portion of the hollow interior configured to receive a coolant therein. A plurality of circumferentially spaced splines extends radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface into the portion of the hollow interior configured to receive the coolant therein. Each of the splines is configured to provide a heat exchanging structure for transferring heat from the rotor shaft to the coolant. The splines are one of integrally formed with the tubular body or provided as inserts captured by the tubular body during a flow forming process.

Abstract: A rotor shaft for an electric motor includes an axially extending tubular body having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow interior thereof with at least a portion of the hollow interior configured to receive a coolant therein. A plurality of circumferentially spaced splines extends radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface into the portion of the hollow interior configured to receive the coolant therein. Each of the splines is configured to provide a heat exchanging structure for transferring heat from the rotor shaft to the coolant. The splines are one of integrally formed with the tubular body or provided as inserts captured by the tubular body during a flow forming process.

Abstract: A method of operating a swaging station includes removably coupling an insert to a distal end of a mandrel and advancing the insert and the distal end of the mandrel into a hollow interior of a tubular body defined by an inner circumferential surface thereof. A die of the swaging station is utilized to deform the tubular body radially inwardly to cause the inner circumferential surface of the tubular body to contact the insert to capture the insert within the tubular body at a desired axial position. The mandrel and die are retracted to result in a tubular component having an integrated insert disposed therein.

Abstract: A shaft assembly comprises a hollow shaft and at least one working component disposed therein. A method of forming the shaft assembly includes a step of providing at least one generally planar preform. The preform is then formed into a “U”-shaped partial cylinder. One or more working components may then be assembled and connected to an interior of the partial cylinder. The partial cylinder is then further formed into a hollow cylinder having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, thus surrounding the one or more working components to secure a position thereof in an interior of the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder may then be held stationary and a welding operation performed thereon to form the hollow shaft. Once the hollow shaft is welded, post process machining may then be performed thereon as desired to further finish the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A rotor shaft for an electric motor includes an axially extending tubular body having an inner circumferential surface defining a hollow interior thereof with at least a portion of the hollow interior configured to receive a coolant therein. A plurality of circumferentially spaced splines extends radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface into the portion of the hollow interior configured to receive the coolant therein. Each of the splines is configured to provide a heat exchanging structure for transferring heat from the rotor shaft to the coolant. The splines are one of integrally formed with the tubular body or provided as inserts captured by the tubular body during a flow forming process.