Model S motor

[doug]

It occurs to me, given its configuration, the entire rotor shaft could have an open center to pass coolant from one end of the motor (going right through the diff) to the inverter.

 

[Lloyd]

It occurs to me, given its configuration, the entire rotor shaft could have an open center to pass coolant from one end of the motor (going right through the diff) to the inverter.

It does, I remember seeing that on the patent!

 

[doug]

It does, I remember seeing that on the patent!

Which patent? The one I remember (from 2008) was for a rotor that's closed at one end:

We don't know that they're using this patent here, and I hadn't heard specifically what they're doing regarding rotor cooling yet. The low res CAD drawing of the 3 phase inverter does look like it's cooled from the center, though, suggesting the rotor is open at both ends.

 

[GSP]

I will bet that Tesla is using oil to cool the rotor and lube the bearings, reduction gears and differential gears. The steel tubing looks appropriate for oil, not water/glycol. This would not be the first automotive motor/generator to have a water-cooled stator (and inverter), and oil cooling for the rotor.

GSP

 

[Lloyd]

Which patent? The one I remember (from 2008) was for a rotor that's closed at one end:
We don't know that they're using this patent here, and I hadn't heard specifically what they're doing regarding rotor cooling yet. The low res CAD drawing of the 3 phase inverter does look like it's cooled from the center, though, suggesting the rotor is open at both ends.

I remember reading the body of the patent. I put it down before the diagrams. It was for a design for a rotor with internal cooling. I believe I read it in 2010, but it could have been from 2008.

 

[doug]

I remember reading the body of the patent. I put it down before the diagrams. It was for a design for a rotor with internal cooling. I believe I read it in 2010, but it could have been from 2008.

This is the one I was thinking of: Liquid cooled rotor assembly
I would think that the concept of a hollow rotor, where the liquid comes in one in and out the other, would have been around for years and thus not patentable by Tesla.

 

[Lloyd]

That was it. There is also this one.

TESLA MOTORS, INC. - Patent applications

 

[doug]

Interesting to consider that there's coolant, oil, and high power electricity all flowing in that same package. Would be cool to see how they're isolated from each other.

 

[vaitimeri]

Is it weird I want to take the motor in my bed with me, and fall asleep with it in my arms?

 

[rabar10]

Is it weird I want to...

Yes.

:wink:

 

[AnOutsider]

Is it weird I want to take the motor in my bed with me, and fall asleep with it in my arms?

I'd say yes, but I've seen kinkier.

 

[vfx]

Now that people have their cars, how hot does the motor get?

After say, a ten mile drive can you touch the motor? (assuming you could get at it)

How cool or hot is the jacket?

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Now that people have their cars, how hot does the motor get?

...

Too hot to sleep with

 

[JRP3]

Since it's liquid cooled I'd think it wouldn't get that warm, unless you were really hammering it.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Since it's liquid cooled I'd think it wouldn't get that warm, unless you were really hammering it.

It limits, unless it is the inverter/caps heating that limits it. pushing it over 100 seems to heat something a bit

 

[Doug_G]

Now that people have their cars, how hot does the motor get?

After say, a ten mile drive can you touch the motor? (assuming you could get at it)

How cool or hot is the jacket?

No idea. The "assuming you could get at it" part is the problem.

 

[vcor]

I wonder why they have that coolant line going through what looks like the differential case? There are very few differential or transmissions that are liquid cooled, and those are used primarily in sustained high speed applications. An EV is clearly not going to be sustaining high speeds for any length of time.

I'm not sure how the gearing works, but does the differential also step the 16,000 max RPM down to something usable? These speeds seem far beyond any ICE differential, and might require the extra cooling.

 

[aaronw]

I was told by a Tesla rep that the electric motor is lubricated for 12 years.

 

[qwk]

I was told by a Tesla rep that the electric motor is lubricated for 12 years.

What does this even mean? The misinformation by the reps is bad.

 

[efxjim]

Good luck getting to it Eric. It's buried.