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Tesla 4680 Cell: Thermal Analysis Suggests Unique Cooling System Design

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TMC Staff

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May 19, 2017
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The analysis suggests that Tesla might integrate the cooling into the body. We consulted a mechanical engineer and heat transfer specialist* to get his opinion on how Tesla might design the cooling system for its new 4680 integrated battery system. The analysis suggests that Tesla might integrate the cooling into the body/ battery. No more cooling snake. Background On Battery...
[WPURI="https://teslamotorsclub.com/blog/2020/09/30/tesla-4680-cell-thermal-analysis-cooling-design/"]READ FULL ARTICLE[/WPURI]
 
f5 - looks strange to me. I suspect it isn't accurate (too complex - too many small channels).
We shall have to wait for a year or two to see what actually gets into production.

I don't think it's that complex. Producing something like this should not be a challenge.
The part that makes it complex in my eyes is that there is now a huge area on the outsides of the pack filled with a liquid coolant. Imagine accidentally hitting something with the bottom of the car. A minimal crash, damage, puncture whatsoever anywhere on the entire bottom plate could potentially block or leak some of the channels and impact the cooling mechanism in there.

What would it take to find out where the blockage is and what you would need to do to fix it? Unless they compose this out of small modules so that you could partially replace areas.

Also, imagine if the blockage isn't noticed.
 
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I don't think it's that complex. Producing something like this should not be a challenge.
The part that makes it complex in my eyes is that there is now a huge area on the outsides of the pack filled with a liquid coolant. Imagine accidentally hitting something with the bottom of the car. A minimal crash, damage, puncture whatsoever anywhere on the entire bottom plate could potentially block or leak some of the channels and impact the cooling mechanism in there.

What would it take to find out where the blockage is and what you would need to do to fix it? Unless they compose this out of small modules so that you could partially replace areas.

Also, imagine if the blockage isn't noticed.

the inferior plate will probably have to be titanium or reinforced like they did for the Model S to prevent perforation by objects on the road.
 
I don't think it's that complex. Producing something like this should not be a challenge.
The part that makes it complex in my eyes is that there is now a huge area on the outsides of the pack filled with a liquid coolant. Imagine accidentally hitting something with the bottom of the car. A minimal crash, damage, puncture whatsoever anywhere on the entire bottom plate could potentially block or leak some of the channels and impact the cooling mechanism in there.

What would it take to find out where the blockage is and what you would need to do to fix it? Unless they compose this out of small modules so that you could partially replace areas.

Also, imagine if the blockage isn't noticed.
 
f5 - looks strange to me. I suspect it isn't accurate (too complex - too many small channels).
We shall have to wait for a year or two to see what actually gets into production.
Changing my mind - as I better - I think - understand the f5 drawing it isn't as complex as I originally thought.

You'd think I would have learned by now to think things over [read - contemplate] for at least a day before spouting off my first impressions. apparently not - sorry
 
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The part that makes it complex in my eyes is that there is now a huge area on the outsides of the pack filled with a liquid coolant. Imagine accidentally hitting something with the bottom of the car. A minimal crash, damage, puncture whatsoever anywhere on the entire bottom plate could potentially block or leak some of the channels and impact the cooling mechanism in there.
NOTE: structural foam - no reply expected
 
The analysis suggests that Tesla might integrate the cooling into the body. We consulted a mechanical engineer and heat transfer specialist* to get his opinion on how Tesla might design the cooling system for its new 4680 integrated battery system. The analysis suggests that Tesla might integrate the cooling into the body/ battery. No more cooling snake. Background On Battery...
READ FULL ARTICLE
Just wanted to pass along, I was listening to a YouTube video with Sandy Munro explaining that this battery cell will be cooled at the bottom.
. I'm not a battery expert, but as he explained it, the heat is built up near the negative side of the battery, which in this case is the bottom of the cell... That is where he is expecting the cooling to occur
 
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I don't think it's that complex. Producing something like this should not be a challenge.
The part that makes it complex in my eyes is that there is now a huge area on the outsides of the pack filled with a liquid coolant. Imagine accidentally hitting something with the bottom of the car. A minimal crash, damage, puncture whatsoever anywhere on the entire bottom plate could potentially block or leak some of the channels and impact the cooling mechanism in there.

What would it take to find out where the blockage is and what you would need to do to fix it? Unless they compose this out of small modules so that you could partially replace areas.

Also, imagine if the blockage isn't noticed.
NASA makes extensive use of cooling plates and they are quite simple, very effective at heat transfer, and mechanically robust.
The coolant can be a bath, a coil, embedded on the substrate, or whatever is dictated by the geometry.
A puncture of the Tesla car undercarriage would not necessarily lead to much coolant loss. Depends on the design.