General Electric Company
Rotor for a reluctance machine

Abstract:

A rotor for a reluctance machine includes a central rotor support rigidly connected to a machine shaft extending laterally along a central axis of the machine. The rotor support has an outer rotor support surface. A non-ferromagnetic channel support is rigidly affixed to the rotor support surface and projects radially relative to the central axis from the rotor support surface to define an outer rotor diameter of the rotor. The rotor also includes an array of arcuate ferromagnetic flux guide channels. The flux guide channels are embedded in the non-ferromagnetic channel support, wherein portions of the channel support abutting the flux guide channels function as non-ferromagnetic flux barriers. The flux barriers provide structural support for the flux guide channels.