Alternator for electrostatic spray gun

1. An alternator comprising:

an alternator housing;

a stator inserted into the alternator housing and having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;

a rotor disposed within the inner diameter of the stator;

a shaft extending from the rotor;

a first bearing connected to the shaft, wherein the first bearing comprises:

a first hub having an inner diameter bore in which the shaft is positioned; and

a first prong extending from the first hub; and

a sheath that surrounds the outer diameter of the stator, supports the stator with respect to the alternator housing, and supports the first bearing, wherein the sheath is located within and surrounded by the alternator housing, and wherein the sheath includes a first pocket to receive the first prong.

2. The alternator of claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of first prongs extending from the first hub into a plurality of first pockets in the sheath.

3. The alternator of claim 2 wherein the first prongs extend from the first hub to form an x-shaped body.

4. The alternator of claim 1 and further comprising:

a second bearing connected to the shaft and anchored in the sheath, the first bearing and the second bearing being located on opposite sides of the rotor wherein the second bearing comprises:

a second hub having an inner diameter bore in which the shaft is positioned; and

a second prong extending from the second hub;

wherein the sheath includes a second pocket to receive the second prong.

5. The alternator of claim 4 wherein the first pocket circumferentially aligns with the second pocket.

6. The alternator of claim 1 wherein:

the stator comprises a coil assembly; and

the rotor comprises a Neodymium magnet.

7. The alternator of claim 1 wherein the stator comprises:

a core;

windings wrapped around the core; and

a cover encapsulating the windings and core.

8. The alternator of claim 1 wherein the sheath is plastic.

9. The alternator of claim 1 and further comprising:

a solvent-resistant coating on the bearing.

10. The alternator of claim 1 and further comprising:

an impeller mounted to the shaft.

11. The alternator of claim 1 and further comprising:

a power supply coupled to the coil assembly; and

an electrode electrically coupled to the power supply.

12. An electrostatic spray gun comprising:

a housing having a fluid inlet;

a spray tip assembly;

a valve disposed fluidly between the fluid inlet and the spray tip assembly;

the alternator of claim 1 ;

a power supply coupled to receive electric energy from the alternator; and

an electrode electrically coupled to the power supply proximate the spray tip assembly.

13. The electrostatic spray gun of claim 12 wherein the sheath comprises a plastic material that is over-molded onto the alternator.

14. The electrostatic spray gun of claim 12 and further comprising:

a Neodymium magnet comprising a rotor in the alternator; and

an impeller mounted to the shaft.

15. The electrostatic spray gun of claim 12 wherein the alternator includes a stator comprising:

a core;

windings wrapped around the core; and

a cover encapsulating the windings and core.

16. The electrostatic spray gun of claim 12 and further comprising:

a housing surrounding the sheath; and

a retention clip engaged with the housing to prevent dislodgement of one of the first bearings from one of the first pockets.

17. An alternator comprising:

an alternator housing;

a stator inserted into the alternator housing and having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;

a rotor disposed within the inner diameter of the stator;

a shaft extending from the rotor;

a first bearing connected to the shaft;

a sheath that surrounds the outer diameter of the stator, supports the stator with respect to the alternator housing, and supports the first bearing;

a housing surrounding the sheath; and

a retention clip engaged with the housing adjacent the first bearing to prevent dislodgement of the first bearing from the sheath.