Multiple patents granted for in-wheel electric drive

Protean Electric, a specialist in advanced in-wheel motors for the automotive industry, has been awarded 17 patents for the unique technology and design of its Protean Drive system. More than 60 additional patent applications have been filed internationally and with specific countries in North America, Europe and Asia. Protean Electric chairman and CEO Bob Purcell says his company’s in-wheel motor design is unlike conventional motors or combustion powertrains with electric motors added. "We started with a c
March 22, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

4173 Protean Electric, a specialist in advanced in-wheel motors for the automotive industry, has been awarded 17 patents for the unique technology and design of its Protean Drive system. More than 60 additional patent applications have been filed internationally and with specific countries in North America, Europe and Asia.

Protean Electric chairman and CEO Bob Purcell says his company’s in-wheel motor design is unlike conventional motors or combustion powertrains with electric motors added. "We started with a clean sheet and designed motors specifically for in-wheel applications," he said.

Protean claims its in-wheel motors have the highest torque density of any of today's leading electric propulsion systems. Each in-wheel motor can deliver 81 kW (110 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft), yet weighs only 31 kg (68 lbs.) and is sized to fit within the space of a conventional 18-inch road wheel. It is also claimed the drive also has superior regenerative braking capabilities, which allow up to 85 per cent of the available kinetic energy to be recovered during braking.

The company states its Protean Drive can increase fuel economy by over 30 per cent depending on the battery size and driving cycle. It is also powerful enough to be the only source for traction on a variety of vehicles.

Patents protecting Protean's innovations in technology and design already have been awarded in the United Kingdom and the United States. The company has filed additional patents in Europe, China, Malaysia, Japan, and India.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Evolucia introduces next generation LED roadway lighting
    December 24, 2012
    Manufacturer of LED (light emitting diode) lighting products, Evolucia, has launched its next generation of LED replacement roadway luminaires. They claim the new Evolucia G2 aimed optics LED Cobra Head roadway luminaires offer substantially increased light efficacy when compared to traditional lighting technologies such as high intensity discharge (HID). "The G2 Evolucia Aimed Optics Cobra Head roadway luminaire packages high quality illumination, long life and extraordinary energy efficiency, a breakthro
    Read More
  • Solid growth and improved profitability for IRD in 2013
    February 28, 2014
    International Road Dynamics (IRD) has announced solid growth for the three months and year ended 30 November 2013, with revenue up 14.7 per cent in the fourth quarter and 5.0 per cent for the year. The company says increasing service revenue contributed to improved profitability and stability of cash flows, while its China XPCT investment contributed strong earnings in the fourth quarter and the year. Revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 rose 14.7 per cent to US$12.6 million compared to US$11.0 m
    Read More
  • Caltrans takes the long view of transport
    October 21, 2016
    Caltrans’ Malcolm Dougherty took time out of his schedule at ITS America 2016 in San Jose to talk to ITS International about current and future challenges. As director of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) since mid-2012, many would say that Malcolm Dougherty has one of the best jobs in transportation. Caltrans is one of the most progressive and innovative transport authorities, implementing policies to encourage cycling, piloting new
    Read More
  • Bombardier's battery powered tram completes test
    November 5, 2015
    Rail technology company Bombardier Transportation has successfully completed a 41.6 km catenary-free test run using a Bombardier-built tram, powered entirely by its Primove battery in combination with Bombardier Mitrac. The test run was conducted in the German city of Mannheim on the Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr (RNV) network. RNV began using SuperCaps energy storage systems in 2009 and has integrated this technology into 30 of their trams. This provided sufficient energy for short CFO distances. However, the l
    Read More

Highlighted Content