Rotor assembly and method of using same

Abstract

A rotor assembly generally comprises a sleeve apparatus that includes a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion positioned a predefined distance from the first sleeve portion. The sleeve apparatus also includes at least one channel defined between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. A rotor shaft is coupled to the sleeve apparatus such that at least a portion of the rotor shaft is positioned within the sleeve apparatus, wherein the rotor shaft includes an end portion that is configured to be removably coupled to a drive shaft. At least one magnetic attachment is removably coupled within the channel to facilitate maintaining the rotor shaft in alignment within the sleeve apparatus during operation of the rotor assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotor assembly comprising:
 a sleeve apparatus comprising a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion positioned a predefined distance from said first sleeve portion, wherein said sleeve apparatus further comprises at least one channel defined between said first sleeve portion and said second sleeve portion;   a rotor shaft coupled to said sleeve apparatus such that at least a portion of said rotor shaft is positioned within said sleeve apparatus, said rotor shaft further comprises an end portion that is configured to be removably coupled to a drive shaft; and   at least one magnetic attachment removably coupled within said at least one channel of said sleeve apparatus to facilitate maintaining said rotor shaft in alignment within said sleeve apparatus during operation of said rotor assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially cylindrical housing to substantially circumscribe at least a portion of said sleeve apparatus and at least a portion of said at least one magnetic attachment to facilitate securing said at least one magnetic attachment within said at least one channel. 
     
     
         3 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said housing is at least partially formed from a fiber-reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         4 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said end portion of said rotor shaft comprises a first surface that is substantially arcuate and a second surface that is substantially planar such that said rotor shaft end portion is positionable within an opening of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         5 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said rotor shaft is at least partially formed from at least one of a ceramic material, an alumina material, and a metal matrix composite material. 
     
     
         6 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve apparatus is at least partially formed from a crystalline particle. 
     
     
         7 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one magnetic attachment comprises a first magnetic attachment and a second magnetic attachment, and said at least one channel of said sleeve apparatus comprises a first channel and a second channel, wherein said first magnetic attachment is removably coupled within said first channel and said second magnetic attachment is removably coupled within said second channel. 
     
     
         8 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve apparatus comprises a first support leg that extends from said first sleeve portion to said second sleeve portion, said sleeve apparatus further comprises a second support leg that extends from said first sleeve portion to said second sleeve portion such that said second support leg is substantially parallel to said first support leg. 
     
     
         9 . A power system comprising:
 a turbine engine comprising a drive shaft;   a load coupled to said turbine engine; wherein said load comprises a rotor assembly comprising:
 a sleeve apparatus comprising a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion positioned a predefined distance from said first sleeve portion, wherein said sleeve apparatus further comprises at least one channel defined between said first sleeve portion and said second sleeve portion; 
 a rotor shaft coupled to said sleeve apparatus such that at least a portion of said rotor shaft is positioned within said sleeve apparatus, said rotor shaft further comprises an end portion that is configured to be removably coupled to said drive shaft; and 
 at least one magnetic attachment removably coupled within said at least one channel of said sleeve apparatus to facilitate maintaining said rotor shaft in alignment within said sleeve apparatus during operation of said rotor assembly. 
   
     
     
         10 . A power system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said rotor assembly further comprises a substantially cylindrical housing to substantially circumscribe at least a portion of said sleeve apparatus and at least a portion of said at least one magnetic attachment to facilitate securing said at least one magnetic attachment within said at least one channel. 
     
     
         11 . A power system in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said housing is at least partially formed from a fiber-reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         12 . A power system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said end portion of said rotor shaft comprises a first surface that is substantially arcuate and a second surface that is substantially planar such that said rotor shaft end portion is positionable within an opening of said drive shaft. 
     
     
         13 . A power system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said rotor shaft is at least partially formed from at least one of a ceramic material, an alumina material, and a metal matrix composite material. 
     
     
         14 . A power system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said sleeve apparatus is at least partially formed from a crystalline particle. 
     
     
         15 . A power system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said at least one magnetic attachment comprises a first magnetic attachment and a second magnetic attachment, and said at least one channel of said sleeve apparatus comprises a first channel and a second channel, wherein said first magnetic attachment is removably coupled within said first channel and said second magnetic attachment is removably coupled within said second channel. 
     
     
         16 . A power system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve apparatus comprises a first support leg that extends from said first sleeve portion to said second sleeve portion, said sleeve apparatus further comprises a second support leg that extends from said first sleeve portion to said second sleeve portion such that said second support leg is substantially parallel to said first support leg. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a rotor assembly, said method comprising:
 providing a sleeve apparatus that includes a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion positioned a predefined distance from the first sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve apparatus further includes at least one channel defined between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion;   positioning at least a portion of a rotor shaft within the sleeve apparatus, wherein the rotor shaft includes an end portion that is configured to be removably coupled to a drive shaft; and   coupling at least one magnetic attachment within the at least one channel of the sleeve apparatus to facilitate maintaining the rotor shaft in alignment within the sleeve apparatus during operation of the rotor assembly.   
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , coupling a substantially cylindrical housing to the sleeve apparatus and the at least one magnetic attachment such that the housing substantially circumscribes at least a portion of the sleeve apparatus and at least a portion of the at least one magnetic attachment to facilitate securing the at least one magnetic attachment within the at least one channel. 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein positioning at least a portion of a rotor shaft within the sleeve apparatus further comprises positioning at least a portion of a rotor shaft within the sleeve apparatus, wherein the rotor shaft includes an end portion that includes a first surface that is substantially arcuate and a second surface that is substantially planar to be positionable within an opening of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         20 . A rotor assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein coupling at least one magnetic attachment further comprises:
 coupling a first magnetic attachment within a first channel of the sleeve apparatus; and   coupling a second magnetic attachment within a second channel of the sleeve apparatus.