Dynamoelectric machine brush rigging and method of assembly

Claim 1

In combination, an armature subassembly for a dynamoelectric machine having armature windings, an armature shaft, a commutator mounted to the armature shaft adjacent the armature windings, an antifriction bearing assembly mounted to the armature shaft in spaced disposition to said commutator, said bearing assembly having an outer diametral dimension greater than said commutator, and actuator means for displacing brush retainer means, said actuator means being positioned between said bearing means and said commutator, and a brushcard subassembly adapted for mounting about the commutator comprising support means for mounting brush holders radially adjacent the commutator, said support means defining a central opening to receive the commutator, said central opening being larger than the diametral dimension of said bearing assembly so as to permit the bearing assembly to pass therethrough, at least one of said brush holders mounted to said support means so as to extend radially from a commutator in assembly, a brush slidably supported in said holder, spring means for urging said brush into contact with the commutator and said retainer means for retaining brushes radially outwardly so as to form an unobstructed central passageway greater than the diametral dimension of said bearing assembly to permit the bearing assembly to pass through said passageway and through said central opening of said support means, said retainer means being releasably mounted to said support means for automatic displacement by said actuator means upon placement of the commutator into said central opening of the support means to allow the brush to engage the commutator.