The Tesla Roadster seems to be getting faster and faster, at least theoretically, as it hasn’t actually commenced production yet. Nevertheless, after announcements like the SpaceX Package with thrusters to boost the car’s acceleration, the company now seems to be taking a more conventional approach to added speed: upgraded motors, more specifically, carbon-wrapped ones.
The new motor made its debut at last week’s Model S Plaid delivery event, and a similar technology was hinted to be making its way into the Roadster by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In a series of tweets on Sunday, he explained how the motor’s technology works, as well as what the benefits are over its predecessors.
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In response to a tweet questioning the new motor’s manufacturing process, Musk elaborated, saying “Fiber is wound over rotor at high tension load. Machine to do this was made by Tesla Automation. Carbon sleeve must put copper rotor in compression or it loosens at low temp due to differential thermal expansion. Preload is also helpful for maintaining precise gap to stator.” Essentially, instead of premade sleeves being press-fit onto the motor’s rotor, Tesla’s new machine winds the carbon fibers directly around it.
And if you were wondering what this actually does to increase the motor’s performance, Musk has an answer for that too. He explains that the “Main advantage of this is a much stronger EM field compared with a rotor that is held together by metal (usually high strength steel). Other advantage is that rotor can go to higher RPM, as carbon sleeve (mostly) stops copper rotor from expanding due to radial acceleration.”
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As for its applications in the Roadster, he continued by saying, “The Plaid carbon-wrapped motor is arguably the most advanced motor on Earth outside of maybe a lab somewhere. We have to keep some secrets! We have a few ideas for increasing torque & max rpm even further for the new Roadster. Definitely fun & exciting engineering ahead!”
It seems like Tesla has come up with yet another way to propel their cars even faster. And despite those bashing their vehicles for being “soulless”, if the company can actually pull this off and tangibly improve the Roadster’s acceleration and top speed from the originally announced specs, it will be a very impressive feat.