Press fit keyed outer race in stator

Abstract

The invention presented is an outer race for a stator assembly which includes keys that extend radially outward from the outer circumferential edge. The keys include transverse projecting splines. The splines are configured to cut grooves into the body of a stator to form a press fit connection between the outer race and the stator. The connection reduces or eliminates a loosening of the stator-outer race connection when fluid temperatures increase as well as reducing the effects of lash by reducing or eliminating gaps in the stator-outer race connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An outer race for a stator assembly comprising:
 a body;   an outer circumferential edge;   a plurality of keys extending radially outward from said outer circumferential edge, each of said plurality of keys having a thickness, a pair of opposing sides, and an outer key edge extending between each one of said pair of opposing sides;   at least one spline projecting from at least one of said two opposing sides; and,   an inner circumferential edge.   
     
     
         2 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one spline projects from each of said two opposing sides. 
     
     
         3 . The outer race as recited in  claim 2  wherein said at least one spline is a plurality of splines project from each of said two opposing sides 
     
     
         4 . The outer race as recited in  claim 3  wherein said plurality of splines projecting from each of said two opposing sides is three splines. 
     
     
         5 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein each said at least one spline extends the length of said thickness of each of said plurality of keys. 
     
     
         6 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said at least one spline is integral with said opposing side from which it projects. 
     
     
         7 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of keys is integral with said outer circumferential edge. 
     
     
         8 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein said outer race is forged. 
     
     
         9 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein said outer race is stamped. 
     
     
         10 . A stator assembly comprising:
 a stator, said stator including:   a stator body;   an outer circumferential stator edge;   an inner circumferential edge;   an outer surface; and, a inner circumferential surface including a plurality of recesses;   a plurality of blades distributed on said inner surface; and, an outer race, said outer race including:   a body;   an outer circumferential edge;   a plurality of keys extending radially outward from said outer circumferential edge, each of said plurality of keys having a thickness, a pair of opposing sides, and an outer edge extending between each one of said pair of sides;   at least one spline projecting from at least one of said two opposing sides; and, an inner circumferential edge;   wherein each of said at least one spline forms grooves within respective stator recesses when said outer race is pressed into said stator body.   
     
     
         11 . The outer race as recited in  claim 10  wherein said at least one spline projects from each of said two opposing sides. 
     
     
         12 . The outer race as recited in  claim 11  wherein said at least one spline is a plurality of splines project from each of said two opposing sides 
     
     
         13 . The outer race as recited in  claim 12  wherein said plurality of splines projecting from each of said two opposing sides is three splines. 
     
     
         14 . The outer race as recited in  claim 10  wherein each said at least one spline extends the length of said thickness of each of said plurality of keys. 
     
     
         15 . The outer race as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of said at least one spline is integral with said opposing side from which it projects. 
     
     
         16 . The outer race as recited in  claim 10  wherein each of said plurality of keys is integral with said outer circumferential edge. 
     
     
         17 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein said outer race is forged. 
     
     
         18 . The outer race as recited in  claim 1  wherein said outer race is stamped. 
     
     
         19 . The stator assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein said stator is fabricated from a softer substance than said outer race. 
     
     
         20 . A method of fabricating a stator assembly
 wherein a stator includes:
 a stator body; 
 an outer circumferential stator edge; 
 an inner circumferential edge; 
 an outer surface; and, 
 a inner circumferential surface including a plurality of recesses; 
 a plurality of blades distributed on said inner surface; and, 
   wherein an outer race includes:   a body;   an outer circumferential edge;   a plurality of keys extending radially outward from said outer circumferential edge, each of said plurality of keys having a thickness, a pair of opposing sides, and an outer edge extending between each one of said pair of sides;   at least one spline projecting from at least one of said two opposing sides; and,   an inner circumferential edge;   wherein each of said at least one spline forms grooves within respective stator recesses when said outer race is pressed into said stator body. said method comprising:   positioning each of said keys over said stator body; and, pressing said keys into said stator body in an axial direction;   wherein said plurality of splines form grooves within said stator when said outer race is pressed into said stator body.   
     
     
         21 . The method of fabricating a stator assembly as recited in  claim 20  further comprising fitting an inner race inside said inner circumferential edge. 
     
     
         22 . The stator assembly as recited in  claim 20  wherein said stator is fabricated from a softer substance than said outer race.