Patent attributes
An electric machine is provided that has a rotor assembly having a rotor core configured to support permanent magnets spaced around the rotor core to define a number of rotor poles. The rotor core has multiple rotor slots arranged as multiple barrier layers at each of the rotor poles. The multiple barrier layers are positioned adjacent one another between an inner periphery of the rotor core and an outer periphery of the rotor core and include a first barrier layer nearest the inner periphery. Permanent magnets are disposed in at least the first barrier layer. A stator assembly surrounds the rotor assembly. The electric machine is configured to function as a motor in a motoring mode and as a generator in a generating mode. The electric machine is configured with predetermined operating parameters selected for optimizing operation in the motoring mode and/or the generating mode.
