Protean Electric is developing
a method of providing costeffective
electric power for
road vehicles. Protean Drive
is an in-wheel electric drive
system for hybrid, plug-in
hybrid and battery electric
light-duty vehicles, which is
designed to improve fuel
economy, add torque, and
improve power and handling.

The in-wheel motor weighs
just 31kg, and delivers more
than 81kW and 800Nm yet
fits easily into a conventional
18 to 24in road wheel. Key to
the development process is
accurate measurement of
torque and speed in the lab.

The test rig uses two inwheel
motors; one as the
power source, the other as
the brake. This allows the
performance of the motors to
be monitored in both drive
and regenerative braking
modes on the same rig with
both torque and speed being
measured using a Kistler
Type 4504 contactless torque
measuring flange. The CoMo
Torque control monitor
calculates and displays power
derived from the torque and
speed signals.