U.S. patent application number 09/969087 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-24 for motor cover retention.
Invention is credited to Shafer, Ronny A..
Application Number | 20020009377 09/969087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24366579 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020009377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shafer, Ronny A. |
January 24, 2002 |
Motor cover retention
Abstract
A hermetic compressor including a housing, a compression
mechanism disposed in the housing, a motor disposed in the housing
and operatively coupled to the compression mechanism, the motor
including a stator, the stator having, relative to the compression
mechanism, a proximal end and a distal end, at least one fastener
extending through the stator, the stator being fixed, relative to
the compression mechanism, by the fastener, a motor cover disposed
over the distal end of the fixed stator, a portion of the fastener
extending through the cover, and a clip engaging the portion of
each the fastener, the cover being retained to the fixed stator by
the clip. Also methods for assembling such compressors, one of
which includes the steps of providing surrounding a rotor with a
stator; placing fasteners longitudinally through the stator;
loosely attaching the stator and a compression mechanism with the
fasteners; aligning the stator relative to the rotor, whereby an
air gap therebetween is set; tightening the fasteners and fixing
the stator relative to the compression mechanism after the air gap
is set; aligning apertures provided in a cover with the fasteners
and fitting the cover over the stator and rotor such that portions
of the fasteners extend through the cover apertures, whereby the
fastener portions protrude through the cover; and engaging clips
onto the protruding fastener portions, whereby the cover is
retained in a position between the stator and the clips.
Inventors: |
Shafer, Ronny A.; (Adrian,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & DANIELS
111 E. WAYNE STREET
SUITE 800
FORT WAYNE
IN
46802
|
Family ID: |
24366579 |
Appl. No.: |
09/969087 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09969087 |
Oct 2, 2001 |
|
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|
09591461 |
Jun 9, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/423.1 ;
417/423.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/121 20130101;
Y10S 417/902 20130101; F04B 39/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/423.1 ;
417/423.14 |
International
Class: |
F04B 035/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hermetic compressor comprising: a housing; a compression
mechanism disposed in said housing; a motor disposed in said
housing and operatively coupled to said compression mechanism, said
motor comprising a stator, said stator having, relative to said
compression mechanism, a proximal end and a distal end; at least
one fastener extending through said stator, said stator being
fixed, relative to said compression mechanism, by said fastener; a
motor cover disposed over said distal end of said fixed stator, a
portion of said fastener extending through said cover; and a clip
engaging said portion of each said fastener, said cover being
retained to said fixed stator by said clip.
2. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said portion of said at least
one fastener is provided with a circumferential groove, said groove
located on a side of said cover opposite said fixed stator, said
clip engaging said fastener groove.
3. The compressor of claim 2, wherein one of said clip and said
cover is maintained in an elastically deformed state, whereby said
cover is urged into abutting engagement with said stator end.
4. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said clip at least partially
surrounds said fastener.
5. The compressor of claim 4, wherein said clip is an E-clip.
6. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a bolt
having a head, said fastener portion which a extends through said
cover comprising said head, said groove located adjacent said
head.
7. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said cover has a periphery
provided with an aperture through which said fastener portion
extends.
8. The compressor of claim 7, wherein said cover is provided with
at least one projection adjacent said cover aperture, said clip in
abutting contact with said projection.
9. The compressor of claim 7, wherein said at least one fastener is
a plurality of fasteners, and said cover periphery is provided with
a plurality of said apertures aligned with said fasteners and
through which said fastener portions extend.
10. The compressor of claim 9, wherein said fasteners are
substantially equally distributed about said cover periphery.
11. The compressor of claim 1, wherein said cover is a metal
stamping.
12. A method of assembling a hermetic compressor, comprising the
steps of: providing a compression mechanism, a motor including a
rotor and a substantially annular stator, a plurality of fasteners,
a motor cover provided with a plurality of apertures, and a
plurality of clips; surrounding the rotor with the stator; placing
the fasteners longitudinally through the stator; loosely attaching
the stator and the compression mechanism with the fasteners;
aligning the stator relative to the rotor, whereby an air gap
therebetween is set; tightening the fasteners and fixing the stator
relative to the compression mechanism after the air gap is set;
aligning the cover apertures with the fasteners and fitting the
cover over the stator and rotor such that portions of the fasteners
extend through the cover apertures, whereby the fastener portions
protrude through the cover; and engaging the clips onto the
protruding fastener portions, whereby the cover is retained in a
position between the stator and the clips.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of forcing
one of the cover and the clip into an elastically deformed state
and, after said step of engaging the clip onto the fastener, the
step of maintaining the cover or the clip in an elastically
deformed state.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said steps of engaging the
clips onto the protruding fastener portions and forcing one of the
cover and the clip into an elastically deformed state are performed
substantially simultaneously.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of
providing the cover with at least one projection adjacent its
apertures, and forcing the clips and the projections into
engagement.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said steps of forcing one of
the cover and the clip into an elastically deformed state and
forcing the clips and the projections into engagement are performed
substantially simultaneously.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the provided fasteners are
bolts, each having heads and circumferential grooves located
adjacent the heads, and the provided clips are E-clips, and wherein
said step of engaging the clips onto the protruding fastener
portions includes placing the E-clips into the bolt grooves.
18. A method of assembling a hermetic compressor, comprising the
steps of: providing a compression mechanism, a rotor, a stator
having a plurality of holes therethrough, a plurality of bolts
having heads, a motor cover having a plurality of apertures, and a
plurality of clips; positioning the stator relative to the
compression mechanism; placing the plurality of bolts into the
stator holes; loosely attaching the stator and the compression
mechanism with the bolts; radially positioning the rotor relative
to the compression mechanism; radially positioning the stator
relative to the rotor, whereby a desired air gap therebetween is
set; after the air gap is set, tightening the plurality of bolts to
securely attach the stator and the compression mechanism, whereby
the radial position of the stator relative to the rotor is fixed;
placing the cover over the stator and rotor and fitting the bolt
heads through the cover apertures; and engaging a clip onto each
bolt adjacent its head, whereby the cover is retained between the
stator and the clips.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, after said step of
placing the cover over the stator and rotor and fitting the bolt
heads through the cover apertures, the step of forcing one of the
cover and the clip into an elastically deformed state, wherein the
cover is urged toward the stator.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said steps of forcing one of
the cover and the clip into an elastically deformed state and
engaging a clip onto each bolt head are performed substantially
simultaneously.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the cover is provided with at
least one projection adjacent each of the cover apertures, and
further comprising the step of placing the clips and the
projections into compressive abutting contact.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein each bolt provided has a
circumferential groove adjacent its head, and the clips provided
are E-clips, and said step of engaging a clip onto each bolt
comprises forcing an E-clip into the groove.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to securing a motor cover or
cap to the stator of an electric motor, and particularly to the
electric motor of a hermetic compressor.
[0002] Hermetic compressors are provided with an electric motor
which is operatively coupled to a compression mechanism, the motor
and the compression mechanism both disposed within a sealed
housing. Typically, the motor has a generally cylindrical rotor
through which a drive shaft longitudinally centrally extends. The
drive shaft rotates with the rotor and is typically provided with
an eccentric portion for imparting working motion to the
compression mechanism. For example, the drive shaft may be the
crankshaft of a reciprocating piston compressor, and drives the
pistons in cylinders to compress the refrigerant during operation
of the compressor in the well-known manner.
[0003] Surroundingly disposed about the rotor is the generally
annular motor stator having windings which are electrically
connected to a source of power external to the compressor, as
usual. An electromagnetic force created in the stator drives the
rotor, and thus the compressor mechanism.
[0004] The rotor is radially supported by means of the drive shaft
being supported in a bearing portion of the compressor mechanism
crankcase or frame. Initially, the stator is loosely attached to
the crankcase or frame by means of a pair of bolts which extend
through the length of the stator, in holes provided therein. These
two bolts may be located in holes on opposite radial sides of the
stator.
[0005] To provide proper operation of the motor, an air gap of
constant width is established between the interfacing interior
radial surface of the stator and the exterior radial surface of the
rotor. The radial position of the rotor, being supported by the
drive shaft, is established by the journalled interface of the
drive shaft and the crankcase or frame main bearing. The radial
position of the loosely attached stator is adjusted relative to the
crankcase or frame to establish the proper air gap. The air gap may
be set by means of a jig temporarily placed between the interfacing
radial surfaces of the rotor and stator. The stator is then tightly
secured to the crankcase, and thus radially fixed in place relative
to the rotor, by tightening the two above-mentioned bolts. The air
gap having been set, the jig, if one is used, is then removed.
[0006] Once the air gap has been set, and the jig removed, a motor
cover or cap is placed over the axial ends of the stator and rotor
located opposite the compression mechanism. The cover has a
periphery which is attached to the end of the stator, and encloses
the interior of the stator within which the rotor is located. The
cover may be placed immediately after setting the air gap, or the
compression mechanism and motor subassembly may undergo further
processing toward assembly of the hermetic compressor before the
cover is installed.
[0007] The periphery of the cover is provided with a flange or an
opposed pair of radially extending ears having apertures therein.
These apertures are aligned with a second pair of holes which
longitudinally extend through the stator. With the cover in place
on the end of the stator, clearance is provided between the cover
and the heads of the first pair of bolts. A second pair of bolts,
usually identical to the first pair of bolts, are then inserted
through the aligned cover apertures and stator holes, and are
threadedly engaged in the crankcase or frame. Thus, the stator is
further and finally secured to the compression mechanism by the
bolts which secure the cover to the stator.
[0008] A problem associated with such previous motor cover
retention arrangements is that a change in the air gap may occur
after the gap has been set. Such changes may be the result of the
compression mechanism and motor subassembly being bumped or jarred
during assembly, causing the stator, which is secured to the
crankcase or frame by only the first pair of tightened bolts, to
move relative to the rotor; or the result of installation an
tightening of the second pair of bolts, which retain the cover and
further clamp the stator to the compression mechanism, after the
jig is removed. A way of better securing the stator so that the
proper air gap can be maintained throughout the assembly process,
and afterwards, is desirable.
[0009] A further problem associated with such previous motor cover
retention arrangements is that retaining the cover to the stator at
only a pair of radially opposite locations may not adequately
secure the cover. The cover would be better secured if retained at
more than only two locations.
[0010] Another problem associated with such previous motor cover
retention arrangements is that the second pair of bolts, which
attach the cover to the stator end as well as to help secure the
stator to the crankcase or frame, may not maintain proper torque
after installation, and may lead to either post-assembly air gap
variations or even bolts backing out of engagement with the
crankcase or frame. This result may stem from there being material
or material thickness differences between the stator alone, which
is clamped into place by the first pair of bolts, and the stator
and cover, which are clamped into place by the second pair of
bolts. Further, consistent torquing of the first and second pairs
of bolts may be difficult to easily achieve, for the setting of the
air gap and the installation of the cover may be done at different
assembly stations, by different operators, and with different
tools. To better ensure bolt clamping consistency, and reduce the
risk of bolts becoming loosened, it is desirable eliminate clamped
material or material thickness variations between all the
stator-securing bolts, and to install all of these bolts at the
same assembly station, by the same operator, and with the same
tool.
[0011] A motor cover retention arrangement which avoids the
above-mentioned problems associated with previous arrangements is
desirable, particularly in hermetic compressor applications, for
once installed, the motor is then sealed inside the housing and is
thereafter practically inaccessible for service or repair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a motor cover retention means
which is of particular use in hermetic compressors and solves the
problems associated with prior motor cover retention arrangements.
Through use of the present invention, the quality and reliability
of hermetic compressors can be realized vis-a-vis previous
compressor utilizing the above described motor cover retention
means.
[0013] In accordance with the present invention, the stator is
secured to the compressor crankcase or frame with a plurality,
e.g., four, bolts, which may all tightened simultaneously, or at
least at the same assembly station, by the same operator, with the
same tool once the air gap is set and with the air gap jig in
place. The bolts have a circumferential groove defined in the heads
thereof, or located between the heads and a flange which abuts the
end of the stator. The periphery of motor cover is provided with a
flange provided with the same number of apertures as there are
stator-securing bolts, e.g., four. These cover apertures are
positioned such that are each aligned with the bolt heads, and are
sized to be slightly greater than the bolt heads. The cover is
installed onto the end of the stator, which is already firmly
secured to the compression mechanism by all of the bolts, with the
heads of the bolts projecting through the cover apertures; the
groove provided in or adjacent to the bolt head located on the side
of the cover opposite the stator. Once in place on the end of the
stator, the motor cover is secured by forcing E-clips into the
grooves of the bolts. The cover is thus retained onto the stator
end by the clips.
[0014] The cover or the clips may be placed in an elastically
deformed state through the interface therebetween, and held in this
elastically deformed state after installation of the cover and
clips, the elastic deformation urging the cover into tight abutting
contact with the end of the stator, to better secure the cover in
its installed position. The cover may further be provided, adjacent
its bolt head-receiving apertures, with one or more projections
which bear against the installed E-clip, the cover urged into tight
abutting contact with the stator end through the resilience of the
clips and/or the cover.
[0015] The present invention provides a hermetic compressor
including a housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the
housing, and a motor disposed in the housing and operatively
coupled to the compression mechanism, the motor comprising a
stator, the stator having, relative to the compression mechanism, a
proximal end and a distal end. At least one fastener extends
through the stator, and the stator is fixed, relative to the
compression mechanism, by the fastener. A motor cover is disposed
over the distal end of the fixed stator, a portion of the fastener
extending through the cover, and a clip engages the portion of each
fastener, the cover being retained to the fixed stator by the
clip.
[0016] The present invention also provides a method of assembling a
hermetic compressor which includes the steps of: providing a
compression mechanism, a motor including a rotor and a
substantially annular stator, a plurality of fasteners, a motor
cover provided with a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of
clips; surrounding the rotor with the stator; placing the fasteners
longitudinally through the stator; loosely attaching the stator and
the compression mechanism with the fasteners; aligning the stator
relative to the rotor, whereby an air gap therebetween is set;
tightening the fasteners and fixing the stator relative to the
compression mechanism after the air gap is set; aligning the cover
apertures with the fasteners and fitting the cover over the stator
and rotor such that portions of the fasteners extend through the
cover apertures, whereby the fastener portions protrude through the
cover; and engaging the clips onto the protruding fastener
portions, whereby the cover is retained in a position between the
stator and the clips.
[0017] The present invention also provides a method of assembling a
hermetic compressor which includes the steps of: providing a
compression mechanism, a rotor, a stator having a plurality of
holes therethrough, a plurality of bolts having heads, a motor
cover having a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of clips;
positioning the stator relative to the compression mechanism;
placing the plurality of bolts into the stator holes; loosely
attaching the stator and the compression mechanism with the bolts;
radially positioning the rotor relative to the compression
mechanism; radially positioning the stator relative to the rotor,
whereby a desired air gap therebetween is set; after the air gap is
set, tightening the plurality of bolts to securely attach the
stator and the compression mechanism, whereby the radial position
of the stator relative to the rotor is fixed; placing the cover
over the stator and rotor and fitting the bolt heads through the
cover apertures; and engaging a clip onto each bolt adjacent its
head, whereby the cover is retained between the stator and the
clips.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this
invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of an embodiment of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1A is a sectional side view of one embodiment of a
hermetic compressor in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 1B is an enlarged, sectional view of encircled portion
1B of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 2A is a top view of the hermetic compressor of FIG. 1A,
shown with the upper housing portion removed;
[0022] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of encircled portion 2B of FIG.
2A;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of one
embodiment of a stator-securing bolt in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of one embodiment of a motor
cover-securing clip in accordance with the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of one embodiment of a
motor cover in accordance with the present invention, showing a
single projection adjacent one of the apertures therein; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a second embodiment of
a motor cover in accordance with the present invention, showing a
plurality of projections adjacent one of the apertures therein.
[0027] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent
embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in
order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In FIG. 1A, there is shown hermetic compressor 20 which
includes sealed housing 22 which is comprised of upper housing
portion 24, lower housing portion 26, and center housing portion
28. Housing portions 24, 26 and 28 are assembled and sealably
attached to one another as by welding or brazing to provide a
sealed enclosure. Lower housing portion 26 is provided with base 30
by which compressor 20 may be supported.
[0029] Disposed within housing 22 is a compression mechanism which
may be of a reciprocating piston type, a rotary type, or a scroll
type, each of which is well-known in the art. As depicted,
compression mechanism 32 is of the reciprocating piston type. A
typical reciprocating piston compression mechanism is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,247 to Kandpal, issued Nov. 3, 1992, and
assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure
of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[0030] Motor 38 comprises rotor 40 (FIG. 2A) and stator 42.
Compression mechanism 32 includes crankcase 34 against which end 36
of stator 42 abuts. As shown in FIG. 2A, drive shaft 44 is
interference fitted through the center of rotor 40 and is drivingly
engaged with compression mechanism 32 to effect compression of
refrigerant therein in usual way. Motor 38 and compression
mechanism 32 are assembled together to form a compression
mechanism/motor subassembly which is supported within housing 22 by
means of a plurality of resilient mounts 46 are secured to the
interior surface of center housing portion 28.
[0031] Refrigerant gas at suction pressure is introduced into the
interior of housing 22 and is ingested into suction conduit 48,
through which the gas is directed to the suction chamber of
cylinder head 50. Through suction and exhaust valves (not shown)
this gas is drawn into a cylinders (not shown), wherein it is
compressed by a reciprocating piston (not shown) and then exhausted
into the discharge side of cylinder head 50. The discharge side of
head 50 is in sealed communication with discharge tube 52 which
extends through the wall of housing 22. As usual, the compressor
may be a component of a refrigeration or air conditioning system
(not shown) also comprising a pair of heat exchangers and an
expansion device located therebetween, all in series fluid
communication via refrigerant lines.
[0032] Annular stator 42 is provided with a plurality of
longitudinally extending holes 54, one of which is shown in FIG.
1B, which are aligned with mating, threaded holes provided in
crankcase 34. A bolt 56 extends through each of holes 54 and
secures stator 42 to compression mechanism 32. The holes which
receive bolts 56 are circumferentially distributed in a
substantially equal manner in the stator and crankcase, and in the
motor cover, as discussed further hereinbelow.
[0033] Stator 42 is placed in surrounding relationship with rotor
40 and, initially, is loosely assembled via bolts 56 to crankcase
34. Although not shown, rotor 40 is radially positioned by means of
shaft 44 being journalled in a main bearing portion of crankcase
34, in a known manner. Air gap 58 (FIG. 2A) between outer radial
surface 60 of rotor 40 and inner radial surface 62 stator 42 may
then be set to a consistent width in a manner described above, as
through use of a jig. Once air gap 58 has been properly set, bolts
56 are tightened, tightly attaching the stator and the compression
mechanism, and firmly fixing the radial position of the stator
relative to the rotor. In the depicted embodiment, before any
further processing, the stator is secured by all four bolts 56 once
the air gap is set, rather than perhaps by only two bolts on
opposite radial sides of the motor. Thus, in accordance with the
present invention, once set, the air gap is comparatively better
held vis-a-vis the previous, above-described compressors.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1B and 3, each bolt 56 is provided with
annular flange 64 having annular surface 65 which abuts stator end
66 about holes 54. Bolt 56 further includes head 68 of any suitable
type (e.g., hex head, star head, socket head, . . . etc . . . ) by
means of which torque may be applied to bolt 56 by an appropriate
tool, such as a wrench (not shown). Located between head 68 and
flange 64, and formed in bolt 56, is circumferential groove 70. A
suitable bolt 56 may be, for example, identified as part number
318-074-625XXX, sold by Camcar Textron of Rockford, Ill. Air gap 58
having been set and stator 42 having been securely fixed to the
crankcase 34 by tightening bolts 56, a motor cover or cap is then
placed over stator 42 and rotor 40. Cover 72, 72' may be a sheet
metal stamping and has a periphery 74 which includes substantially
planar flange 76. Flange 76 includes a plurality of apertures 78
distributed substantially equally about periphery 74; these
apertures are aligned with holes 54 in stator 42 and are of
diametric size to closely accommodate flange 64 of bolt 56, as
shown in FIG. 1B. This figure shows that cover flange 76 has a
thickness which is substantially that of bolt flange 64. The cover
is easily fitted into its proper position on stator end 66 by
fitting apertures 78 about flanges 64 of the tightened bolts 56.
Located adjacent to and surrounding each of apertures 78 is a
single, annular projection or a circumferential array of discrete
projections which protrude or extend from cover flange 76 in a
direction towards bolt head 68. These projections extend higher
than annular surface 79 of bolt flange 64, and provide a surface,
or plurality of surfaces against which a resilient retention clip
may bear, as described hereinbelow.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a motor cover, cover
72, includes a single annular projection 80 which surrounds
aperture 78. FIG. 6 shows a portion of a second embodiment of a
cover, cover 72', which is otherwise identical to cover 72 except
for having, about each of its apertures 78, a plurality of discrete
projections 80'. The heights of projections 80 and 80' are
identical and may be, for example, 0.010 inch. FIG. 4 shows clip
82, which may be of a type commonly known in the art as an E-clip,
which may be made of spring steel. A suitable clip 82 may be, for
example, identified as part number 5602, sold by Imperial, Inc. of
Green Bay, Wis. As shown, E-clip 82 is generally crescent shape and
includes opening 84 into which groove-defining portion 86 (FIG. 3)
of bolt 56 is received during clip installation. The size of
opening 84 is smaller than diameter d.sub.1 of bolt portion 86, and
clip 82 will resiliently close circumferentially about, and be
retained on, bolt portion 86 once installed in groove 70. Clip 82
has a thickness which is only slightly smaller than width W of
groove 70 (FIG. 3). With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, diameter
d.sub.1 of bolt portion 86 is substantially equal to distance
d.sub.2 between interior projections 88 inside clip 82, and clip 82
has an overall diameter D which allows clip 82, in its installed
position, to cover projections 80, 80', as shown in FIG. 1B.
Notably, with respect to cover 72' (FIG. 6) the plurality of
discrete projections 80' about aperture 78 are of such number
(e.g., six, as shown) that clip 82 may bear against all projections
80', or all but one projection 80', with clip 82 in any angular
position relative to bolt 56, thereby ensuring proper retention of
cover 72'.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 1B, during installation and when in
its installed position, clip 82 is elastically deformed, and is
held in its elastically deformed position by its fit between
annular surface 90 of bolt head 68, which defines groove 70, and
projection 80 or projections 80'. Thus, it will be understood that
with cover 72, 72' in its installed position, the distance between
surface 90 and the tip(s) of projection(s) 80, 80' is less than the
thickness of clip 82. The elastic deformation of clip 82 exerts a
compressive load on cover flange 76 which urges cover 72 into
abutting contact with end 66 of stator 42. With reference to FIG.
1B, projection(s) 80, 80' lie(s) radially beyond surface 90 by a
distance of approximately 0.25 inch, thereby allowing clip 82 to be
easily installed and still appropriately force the cover towards
the stator.
[0037] Those skilled in the art will recognize that clip 82 may be
installed in or removed from groove 70 by any conventional means,
and appreciate that the motor cover may be designed such that the
cover is more readily elastically deformed than clip 82, the
elastic deformation of the cover then urging the cover into
abutting contact with end 66 of stator 42.
[0038] While this invention has been described as having exemplary
designs, the present invention may be further modified within the
spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore
intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the
invention using its general principles. Further, this application
is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as
come within known or customary practice in the art to which this
invention pertains.
* * * * *