The Power Wheel - Elimination of energy-consuming drive components

The Power Wheel is a compact, self-contained motor in a wheel that establishes a torque drive. Dual-functioning circuitry that performs brushless commutation and polyphase rectification is also contained entirely within the wheel. Thus, with a substantial reduction in both the number of external control system components and mechanical drive-system couplings, this electric motor can power a 4-wheel-drive vehicle in normal driving modes and can serve as a power-recovery generator during braking. The integral design of a motor in a wheel, combined with efficient microprogrammed control, assures compactness of design, ease of fabrication, and reduction in the cost, complexity, and number of components associated with motor and generator assemblies. The Power Wheel contains no transmission, gear or belt drives, rotating axles, differentials, universal joints, or drive shafts. Hence, energy losses incurred through mechanical drive system couplings are eliminated.