Protean Electric

Protean Electric is a technology company that has developed an in-wheel, electric-drive system for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric light-duty vehicles. Their technology creates a permanent magnet e-machine with relatively high torque and power density with the power electronics and controls packaged within the motor itself. Their in-wheel motor product is intended to be produced in low volume by Protean Electric and licensed in high volume to global automotive and Tier 1 automotive supply companies. Protean Electric is a privately held company with approximately 65 employees. Protean Electric has operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Shanghai China and Hong Kong.

Technology

Protean Electric's in-wheel motor is intended to save space on board the vehicle by allowing the drive system to be mounted behind a conventional road wheel and apply torque directly to the wheel and tire.

Each of Protean's in-wheel motors can deliver 75 kW (100 hp) and 1000 Nm (735 lb-ft) and weigh 34 kg (75 lbs.). They are sized to fit within the space of a conventional 18-inch or larger road wheel. The electric motors are designed for use in both front and rear-wheel drive vehicle applications and can be adapted to existing internal combustion engine powered cars and trucks to turn them into hybrids.

Electricity

Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and flow of electric charge. Electricity gives a wide variety of well-known effects, such as lightning, static electricity, electromagnetic induction and electric current. In addition, electricity permits the creation and reception of electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves.

In electricity, charges produce electromagnetic fields which act on other charges. Electricity occurs due to several types of physics:

Active Wheel

Active Wheel is a Michelin-developed tire which incorporates an electric motor and suspension It was presented at Challenge Bibendum 2004's edition on the Hy-Light concept car and showcased during Paris Motor Show "Mondial de l'automobile"in 2008 both on the Venturi Volage electric sports car and on the Heuliez Will.

Like other in-wheel motors, the ActiveWheel design provides direct power delivery of approximately 30 kW (40 hp), as well as regenerative braking. In addition, it replaces a mechanical suspension with an active suspension driven by an in-wheel electrical suspension motor that controls torque distribution, traction, turning maneuvers, pitch, roll and suspension damping for that wheel. However, the effects of shocks, water and snow to such an "in-wheel" design have not been precisely studied.

Siemens VDO, developing a similar concept called eCorner, was purchased by Continental in 2007.

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