Partners Tout High-Efficiency Electric Motors

DeltaWing Technology Group and DHX Electric Machines Inc. are working together to produce and market DHX’s new compact, high-output DC electric motor design for a variety of electric and hybrid vehicle applications.

Featuring thin heat exchangers integrated directly into the motor’s windings, DHX’s design uses tiny cooling channels to help dissipate heat and minimize thermal losses. Using a heat exchanger within the windings, where most of the heat is generated during the motor’s operation, is more effective than traditional external air- or liquid cooled methods, DHX says.

The new motors are 75% smaller and significantly lighter than conventional units without any loss of performance, according to the developers. They say one of their 20-hp motors takes up the same space as a 12-oz beverage can.

Lighter, more efficient motors can help extend the electric driving range of hybrids and EVs. The DHX motor can produce as much as 340 hp and 297 lb-ft of torque.

DeltaWing is developing an electric vehicle architecture for the new motors. Other potential applications include scooters and delivery vehicles.

Led by Don Panoz, DeltaWing is best known for its race car applications. DHX, which was founded in 2014, is now co-located at DeltaWing’s corporate campus in Braselton, Ga.

The companies, which formed the partnership earlier this year, detailed the technology at this week’s SAE World Congress in Detroit.