In many ways, the small gas engines are among the most obnoxious. Not only do the tend to be more noisy and polluting than car engines (many don't even bother with mufflers), they also operate in areas such as lawns and parks where cars aren't allowed, so you don't normally expect to be listening to engine noise or breathing engine exhaust there. And don't get my started about the tendency of food trucks to power themselves with gas generators running directly adjacent to large crowds of people, in spite of being within a few hundred feet of a building with power outlets that they could easily plug into.
Tesla already stated they are working on rare earth free magnets 2 years ago. I know people like to hate Tesla but they are doing good engineering and I’m surprised Dave didn’t find this in his research.
Here is a good analysis of where they may be headed. Spoiler - ferrite motors.
Very interesting and as per usual giving us much more depth that the more usual press releases with some added but not necessarily better informed commentary. I was sort of aware that motors without the permanent magnets exist ie that motors could be rare Earth free. This sounds better and I look forward to seeing - or not seeing, just relying on - these 'engines'.
One query is about the in-wheel motors/engines and 'unsprung mass', ie how the challenges of keeping the wheel weight low for the sake of suspension and tire durability and vehicle handling play out. I think there have been valid reasons to put the motors aboard the chassis but am interested in how in-wheel motors can be done whilst overcoming or at least moderating the 'unsprung mass' issues.
I reckon you could do it with active suspension and perhaps radar look-ahead to recognize approaching bumps and potholes, but that would be pretty spendy.
Good episode. But I was disappointed to hear no mention at all of the motor's *efficiency* (mechanical power output divided by electrical power input). Especially when compared with other motor configurations. I get that subbing in rare earth magnets for ferrite can increase power output, but does it also improve efficiency?
Maybe also worth mentioning that this motor, like other modern ones, is presumably "brushless"—brushes being expendable parts that eventually wear out.
I wish them well on developing a reliable in-wheel motor; such motors take a *hellacious* pounding from bumps in the road.
You smarty pants engineers put your efforts to improving the grid but improving the ekectric/ magnetic motor will get us to deminish8ng returns rather quickly. Better to get chemical engineers to improve:
batteries
recharging batteries.
Recycling batteries
The Chinese are using the grid to charge batteries which than charge EVs on the go. Fast and efficient.
If you are interested in exploring another innovative company making electric motors with no rare earth magnets and increased efficiency, C-Motive has been at it for over a decade working on electrostatic motors (which was first conceptualized by Benjamin Franklin): https://c-motive.com
In many ways, the small gas engines are among the most obnoxious. Not only do the tend to be more noisy and polluting than car engines (many don't even bother with mufflers), they also operate in areas such as lawns and parks where cars aren't allowed, so you don't normally expect to be listening to engine noise or breathing engine exhaust there. And don't get my started about the tendency of food trucks to power themselves with gas generators running directly adjacent to large crowds of people, in spite of being within a few hundred feet of a building with power outlets that they could easily plug into.
Tesla already stated they are working on rare earth free magnets 2 years ago. I know people like to hate Tesla but they are doing good engineering and I’m surprised Dave didn’t find this in his research.
Here is a good analysis of where they may be headed. Spoiler - ferrite motors.
https://youtu.be/DdEjfy4xti4?si=aWkxMvfOenlY3kHZ
Now please do Aptera.
My understanding is that a Tesla Plaid EV has quad motors and 1,000 horsepower. Is that correct?
Very interesting and as per usual giving us much more depth that the more usual press releases with some added but not necessarily better informed commentary. I was sort of aware that motors without the permanent magnets exist ie that motors could be rare Earth free. This sounds better and I look forward to seeing - or not seeing, just relying on - these 'engines'.
One query is about the in-wheel motors/engines and 'unsprung mass', ie how the challenges of keeping the wheel weight low for the sake of suspension and tire durability and vehicle handling play out. I think there have been valid reasons to put the motors aboard the chassis but am interested in how in-wheel motors can be done whilst overcoming or at least moderating the 'unsprung mass' issues.
I reckon you could do it with active suspension and perhaps radar look-ahead to recognize approaching bumps and potholes, but that would be pretty spendy.
Good episode. But I was disappointed to hear no mention at all of the motor's *efficiency* (mechanical power output divided by electrical power input). Especially when compared with other motor configurations. I get that subbing in rare earth magnets for ferrite can increase power output, but does it also improve efficiency?
Maybe also worth mentioning that this motor, like other modern ones, is presumably "brushless"—brushes being expendable parts that eventually wear out.
I wish them well on developing a reliable in-wheel motor; such motors take a *hellacious* pounding from bumps in the road.
For another very interesting innovative electric motor company look at
https://goinfinitum.com/
which has printed circuit stators!
You smarty pants engineers put your efforts to improving the grid but improving the ekectric/ magnetic motor will get us to deminish8ng returns rather quickly. Better to get chemical engineers to improve:
batteries
recharging batteries.
Recycling batteries
The Chinese are using the grid to charge batteries which than charge EVs on the go. Fast and efficient.
But the electric motor: what's there to improve.
That said I wish him and his company well.
Research Today
=
Solutions Tomorrow
If you are interested in exploring another innovative company making electric motors with no rare earth magnets and increased efficiency, C-Motive has been at it for over a decade working on electrostatic motors (which was first conceptualized by Benjamin Franklin): https://c-motive.com