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4637
From: kay.so.or, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Protean Electric rolls towards making in-wheel electric motors a reali
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n 2012, Protean Electric—a Michigan-based company with $84 million in Chinese funding—announced it was reinventing the wheel, so to speak. The idea was to create in-wheel electric motors that would eliminate many traditional components—like axles—while freeing up the interior space normally occupied by the powertrain, allowing engineers more freedom in vehicular design. It was a clever idea; one that required a willing OEM to help facilitate the concept. While Protean has created many development mules over the years as its technology evolves—like Brabus' hybrid-powered Mercedes and a Ford F-150 EV—an official partnership to bring its system to life has finally been announced: Protean has inked a deal with FAW-Volkswagen, announcing plans to integrate its innovative in-wheel system into the brand's upcoming electric sedan. FAW-VW, a Chinese automaker that's part-owned by Volkswagen Group, utilizes a previous-generation Jetta sedan as a base for its Bora sedan that serves its Chinese marketplace. The automaker sought an all-electric version of this car, and with its new partnership with Protean, it plans to incorporate an in-wheel motor into each one of the rear wheels, turning the front-wheel drive sedan into a rear-wheel drive electric vehicle. Protean's system puts the stator—the stationary part of the electric motor—on the inside while the moving rotor sits on the outside and is bolted directly to the wheel hub. All the necessary electronics are housed within the wheel, so unlike all other electric cars, no separate unit located elsewhere within the car is required. The system could be added to all four wheels to make a vehicle all-wheel drive, with each motor costing $1,500. Protean claims its system is "the closest the industry may ever get to a 'bolt-on' electric drive system." Of course dealing with the unsprung mass will be a sizable challenge without a heavily revised suspension setup. ******rest of the article and gallery at the link |
4709
From: Daniel , [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Protean Electric rolls towards making in-wheel electric motors a...
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The unsprung weight is a killer. It is not wise to entirely power a car this way. But if one downscaled this to maybe 2 HP per wheel for the back wheels of a front drive car (or visa versa); If one had a hybrid type setup, there could be several advantages. One is, the car would now be a 4 wheel drive for those slippery conditions such as snow, the extra traction would be much appreciated. ICE = Internal Combustion Engine Two, hyper milling would be much facilitated, as the ICE could be turned off for extended periods while the electric wheels maintain coast speed. The ICE could be used for acceleration / hills and the electrics also if needed. The ICE operates at a higher efficient when more highly loaded as going up hills and accelerating. The electrics could also recharge the battery during de-acceleration and down hills. |
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4643
From: marc / berkeley, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Protean Electric rolls towards making in-wheel electric motors a...
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Kay- luv your posts! --M |
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