Protean Electric: Difference between revisions
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Protean has been awarded 23 patents for its technology and design, and more than 73 additional patent applications have been filed internationally and with specific countries in North America, Europe and Asia. |
Protean has been awarded 23 patents for its technology and design, and more than 73 additional patent applications have been filed internationally and with specific countries in North America, Europe and Asia. |
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Protean has been developing in-wheel electric motors for several years, in spite of the fact that most automakers discarded the concept years ago. In-wheel motors offer the benefits of drastically improved vehicle packaging, simplified two-wheel or all-wheel-drive layouts, the option of [[Hybrid_vehicle_drivetrains#Parallel_hybrid|through-the-road hybridization]], more efficient [[regenerative braking]], and the most direct wheel control possible. The downside is added [[unsprung weight]] which can impact handling performance<ref>"Protean and Brabus Partner for Hybrid Mercedes with In-Wheel Motors" by Popular Mechanics http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/Protean-Hybrid-Mercedes-Concept-8385092</ref> |
Protean has been developing in-wheel electric motors for several years, in spite of the fact that most automakers discarded the concept years ago. In-wheel motors offer the benefits of drastically improved vehicle packaging, simplified two-wheel or all-wheel-drive layouts, the option of [[Hybrid_vehicle_drivetrains#Parallel_hybrid|through-the-road hybridization]], more efficient [[regenerative braking]], and the most direct wheel control possible. The downside is added [[unsprung weight]] which can impact handling performance<ref>"Protean and Brabus Partner for Hybrid Mercedes with In-Wheel Motors" by Popular Mechanics http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/Protean-Hybrid-Mercedes-Concept-8385092</ref>. |
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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.<ref>HybridCars.com "Brabus Hybrid with Protean Motors Makes US Debut" http://www.hybridcars.com/news/brabus-hybrid-protean-electric-motors-makes-us-debut-45104.html</ref> |
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.<ref>HybridCars.com "Brabus Hybrid with Protean Motors Makes US Debut" http://www.hybridcars.com/news/brabus-hybrid-protean-electric-motors-makes-us-debut-45104.html</ref> |
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Revision as of 22:10, 14 August 2013
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | , United States  |
Key people | Bob Purcell (Chairman and CEO) Ken Stewart (Vice President, Business Development James Golding (Operations Director) Nick Rich (Director, Finance and Information Technology) Chris Hilton (Chief Technology Officer) Martin Lunt (Vice President, Engineering) Steph Curtis (General Manager) Kwok-yin Chan (Vice President, Protean Electric China) |
| Products | Electric in-wheel motors for light duty vehicles |
Number of employees | 90 (December 2011) |
| Website | ProteanElectric.com |
Protean Electric is a U.S.-headquartered technology company that has developed an in-wheel, electric-drive system for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric light-duty vehicles. Their marketing is currently targeted toward companies or large organizations with commercial vehicle fleets, Tier One automotive suppliers, powertrain suppliers or suppliers to these fleets. Protean Electric is a privately held company with approximately 85 employees. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, the company’s engineering center is in Farnham, England.
Technology
Most electric vehicles house a single motor in the area vacated by the gas engine, but others have motors that fit in the hubs of its wheels.[1] Protean Electric’s motors fit into the wheels of a vehicle, so they can be used to turn an existing gas-powered vehicle into a hybrid or to power an electric vehicle without the need for a gearbox, differential, or drive shafts. This reduces the weight of the vehicle, making it more efficient. According to Protean Electric, its in-wheel motors can increase fuel economy by over 30 percent 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.
Each of Protean's in-wheel motors can deliver 81 kW (110 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) and weigh 31 kg (68 lbs.). They are sized to fit within the space of a conventional 18- to 24-inch road wheel.
Protean has been awarded 23 patents for its technology and design, and more than 73 additional patent applications have been filed internationally and with specific countries in North America, Europe and Asia.
Protean has been developing in-wheel electric motors for several years, in spite of the fact that most automakers discarded the concept years ago. In-wheel motors offer the benefits of drastically improved vehicle packaging, simplified two-wheel or all-wheel-drive layouts, the option of through-the-road hybridization, more efficient regenerative braking, and the most direct wheel control possible. The downside is added unsprung weight which can impact handling performance[2].
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.[3]
Prototype manufacturing will begin in 2013 with volume production in 2014, out of Protean’s new manufacturing facility in Liyang, China.
Company History
Protean Electric was founded in 2009 after PML Flightlink was put into administration in 2008. Protean Electric began to focus entirely on the in-wheel technology for automotive applications.
Protean’s in-wheel motors aren’t yet on the market commercially; in 2012, the company’s short-term focus was on retrofitting fleet and commercial vehicles with in-wheel motors to increase fuel economy and performance. Protean Electric Chairman and CEO Bob Purcell announced new relationships with several companies in the global auto industry to bring its in-wheel electric drive systems to market in high-volume production at a press conference in April during the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress. The suppliers and partners are: FEV, AB Mikroelektronik GmbH, Alcon, ATS Automation Tooling Systems, and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.[4]
Protean Electric’s in-wheel motor technology was recognized by the World Economic Forum, which named Protean a 2012 Technology Pioneer. The 2012 class of Technology Pioneers comprises 25 of the most innovative technology start-ups from around the world. These companies are described by the World Economic Forum as “representing the latest generation of innovation” and being “poised to have a critical impact on how business and society work.”
In July 2012, Protean Electric announced $84 million in funding from new investors GSR Ventures and Jiangsu New Times Holding Group, current investor Oak Investment Partners and the city of Liyang, Jiangsu Province, China. This capital will be used build manufacturing facilities in Liyang.
References
- ^ “In-wheel motors could reshape cars” by Automotive News http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20104650-48/in-wheel-motors-could-reshape-cars/
- ^ "Protean and Brabus Partner for Hybrid Mercedes with In-Wheel Motors" by Popular Mechanics http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/Protean-Hybrid-Mercedes-Concept-8385092
- ^ HybridCars.com "Brabus Hybrid with Protean Motors Makes US Debut" http://www.hybridcars.com/news/brabus-hybrid-protean-electric-motors-makes-us-debut-45104.html
- ^ Protean Electric http://www.proteanelectric.com/?page_id=14&post=1738