Introducing WET

The WET was designed by Chris Weismann to address the packaging problems associated with installing an electric transaxle within an existing vehicle without compromising the integrity of the chassis and suspension. WET incorporates our patented "Split Locker" technology in a unique way that basically straddles the electric motor and provides the output to the axles on either side of the motor!

The WET takes the output of the 200 hp AC Propulsion Electric Motor and through a series of helical gears, brings the power out to the side of the motor. The power is then "Split", utilizing the Split Locker Concept taken to the next level, and is driven to each side of the motor.

From there the drive is taken through the final reduction gear sets to the imbedded CV joints along side the motor. Due to the packing constraints that this transaxle was designed around, the output is almost on center with the motor, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. We can repackage the internals to position the axles virtually wherever we want!

The WET transaxle has four built-in mounting locations to bolt the package into a subframe (note the bronze bushings in the corners of the transaxle). The WET transaxle can be positioned transversely in the front and the back of the vehicle to provide a 4WD package.

Or, one can place just one transaxle in the center of the car longitudinally, and coupled to two standard differentials in the front and back, you can get a 4WD with one electric motor!

For an idea of the size of this extremely compact transaxle, the large circular motor flange is 11.4 inches in diameter. The distance between the centers of the CV joints is 21.5 inches!

Currently the WET has a single speed 10.1 to 1 reduction from the motor to the axles. There are two independent mechanical "Weismann Drysump" systems on each side. And there is the possibility to add a multi-speed "Weismann Quickshift" transmission without compromising the WET concept.

The problems facing car designers and engineers when confronted with packaging an electric motor in a ground up design are numerous. The problems are compounded when the engineers are using an existing chassis and worse yet if an engine is retained in the case of a hybrid.

Where do you put the motor? How do you get the power to the wheels? Where do you put the batteries? Where do you put the controller box? Where do you put the cooling fans? What happens with the spare tire, the fuel tank, the trunk, the rear seats, etc...? How is the additional weight and it's placement going to effect the performance and handling of the car?

All of these problems become easier to solve with the tight packaging of the
Weismann Electric Transaxle between the wheels in the space that already exists!