Turbo Trac's Technology: Fuel Economy
Over the last five years, the need for improved fuel economy has slowly grown in
importance. As a result, several auto makers have refocused their energies on IVT/CVTs as
one solution to the goal of fuel economy improvement.
importance. As a result, several auto makers have refocused their energies on IVT/CVTs as
one solution to the goal of fuel economy improvement.
As is shown in numerous instances which are documented at the end of this paper, only the
traction design, and more particularly, in our opinion, the Turbo Trac torque splitting CVT,
has the possibility of offering a CVT solution to the heavy-duty vehicle industry.
Therefore, the data presented below is for light-duty, mass produced vehicles. These light
duty vehicle experiences directly apply to Turbo Trac and the heavy duty vehicle
application.
traction design, and more particularly, in our opinion, the Turbo Trac torque splitting CVT,
has the possibility of offering a CVT solution to the heavy-duty vehicle industry.
Therefore, the data presented below is for light-duty, mass produced vehicles. These light
duty vehicle experiences directly apply to Turbo Trac and the heavy duty vehicle
application.
Over the years there have been a number of automotive technologies promoted as the next
great technology. But somehow, many never quite arrived. The CVT and the more advanced
IVT fits into that category. Since it was first put into the tiny little Dutch-built DAF cars
40 years ago, the benefits of CVTs have been well known and understood. But, as a
mainstream transmission, CVTs have not been popular for three primary reasons: 1) higher
cost, 2) lack of electronic controls, and 3) low cost of fuel.
great technology. But somehow, many never quite arrived. The CVT and the more advanced
IVT fits into that category. Since it was first put into the tiny little Dutch-built DAF cars
40 years ago, the benefits of CVTs have been well known and understood. But, as a
mainstream transmission, CVTs have not been popular for three primary reasons: 1) higher
cost, 2) lack of electronic controls, and 3) low cost of fuel.
This has changed. Ford has announced they plan to introduce a CVT transmission in three
new vehicles in the summer of 2006: the Five Hundred, the Mercury Montego and the
Freestyle. The CVT in these vehicles (similar to the Turbo Trac traction design in that it
uses a cone and disc design) will be in high-volume, domestically produced vehicles with an
engine capable of 250 ft.-lbs. of torque. Ford is not alone in moving CVTs into higher
powered cars. The only transmission option offered by Nissan in its V6-powered Murano
is a CVT. Honda continues to make the Multitronic (CVT) transmission. The Audi A4 has a
CVT option, as does the Mini Cooper. In addition, both all expected future Toyota, Ford,
and Honda HEVs will be equipped with versions of the CVT.
new vehicles in the summer of 2006: the Five Hundred, the Mercury Montego and the
Freestyle. The CVT in these vehicles (similar to the Turbo Trac traction design in that it
uses a cone and disc design) will be in high-volume, domestically produced vehicles with an
engine capable of 250 ft.-lbs. of torque. Ford is not alone in moving CVTs into higher
powered cars. The only transmission option offered by Nissan in its V6-powered Murano
is a CVT. Honda continues to make the Multitronic (CVT) transmission. The Audi A4 has a
CVT option, as does the Mini Cooper. In addition, both all expected future Toyota, Ford,
and Honda HEVs will be equipped with versions of the CVT.
A major part of what's finally making these long-desired changes possible is the electronic
control technology. Vehicle control electronics, sensor technology and software coupled
with dramatic increases in the cost of fuel is pushing this technology forward. Nissan has
focused on CVT technology instead of hybrid. And so, from a technology stand point, they
are the current leader in CVT technology for light duty vehicles with their XTRONIC CVT
that has been shown to get 37% fuel economy improvement using CVT technology with
advanced engine technology possible, designed for CVT, and with appropriate controls. The
claims from auto makers vary, but the generally accepted conclusion of everyone except
Nissan is that with CVTs, fuel economy can be improved from 7-12% without electronic
controls and an additional 6% with controls, bringing the grand total readily available fuel
economy savings to 13-18%. This is roughly what Toro Trak, a high efficiency traction
based CVT for light vehicles documented, as 20% fuel economy improvement in a heavy
SUV application after extensive testing.
control technology. Vehicle control electronics, sensor technology and software coupled
with dramatic increases in the cost of fuel is pushing this technology forward. Nissan has
focused on CVT technology instead of hybrid. And so, from a technology stand point, they
are the current leader in CVT technology for light duty vehicles with their XTRONIC CVT
that has been shown to get 37% fuel economy improvement using CVT technology with
advanced engine technology possible, designed for CVT, and with appropriate controls. The
claims from auto makers vary, but the generally accepted conclusion of everyone except
Nissan is that with CVTs, fuel economy can be improved from 7-12% without electronic
controls and an additional 6% with controls, bringing the grand total readily available fuel
economy savings to 13-18%. This is roughly what Toro Trak, a high efficiency traction
based CVT for light vehicles documented, as 20% fuel economy improvement in a heavy
SUV application after extensive testing.
| Turbo Trac’s business is to commercialize its continuously and infinitely variable mechanical transmission (CIVT) system while establishing its core competency as a technology leader in high torque, traction-type CIVT systems for transportation and industrial markets. Turbo Trac will be the developer, assembler and supplier of its core, patented technology to selected strategic partners in targeted, energy-inefficient, niche segments of transportation and industrial markets. |
