US 12,149,127 B2
Rotor for electric motor
Kang Li, Winchester, MA (US); Edward C. Lovelace, Arlington, MA (US); and Wen Ouyang, Cary, NC (US)
Assigned to Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Manassas, VA (US)
Filed by Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Manassas, VA (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/505,461.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/121,681, filed on Dec. 4, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0181931 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. H02K 1/27 (2022.01); B64C 11/02 (2006.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); H02K 1/2786 (2022.01); H02K 1/2793 (2022.01); H02K 9/06 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 1/2786 (2013.01) [B64C 11/02 (2013.01); B64U 30/20 (2023.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); H02K 1/2793 (2013.01); H02K 9/06 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotor for an electric motor, the rotor comprising:
an inner hub;
an outer rim positioned distally in a radial direction from the inner hub;
a plurality of slats, wherein each slat of the plurality of slats has a first end at the inner hub and a second end at the outer rim; and
a housing comprising:
a base formed of aluminum or carbon fiber composite; and
a ferromagnetic assembly comprising one or more ferromagnetic materials, wherein the ferromagnetic assembly is attached to the base and configured to hold one or more magnets such that the one or more magnets are longer in an axial direction than in the radial direction, wherein the ferromagnetic assembly comprises a plurality of slots that are longer in the axial direction than in the radial direction and configured to compensate for thermal expansion experienced during operation of the rotor,
wherein the rotor is configured to drive a plurality of propeller blades that provide force for an aerial vehicle.