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Fuel Economy Benefits of a High Torque Infinitely Variable Transmission for Commercial Vehicles
Technical Paper
2007-01-4206
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
Replacing a conventional automatic transmission with a high torque capacity, full-toroidal traction drive Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT), delivers fuel economy benefits approaching those achieved by hybrid drivelines when a suitable balance between battery life and fuel economy is implemented, but with minimal additional on-cost, weight and complexity. These benefits are achieved by optimizing the engine operating conditions, eliminating the torque converter and removing torque interruptions during the gearshifts.
Recent application of a non-optimal IVT to an Optare Solo bus (an 11,300kg European Midi-Bus) produced fuel savings of 19% over the standard Allison 5-speed automatic transmission. These measurements were independently performed by the internationally recognized Millbrook Proving Ground, UK. The precise control of the engine operating condition was demonstrated and this, in conjunction with the ability to decouple engine speed from wheel speed provides new opportunities to engine designers.
This paper describes the operation of the IVT and the fuel economy benefits achieved in an Optare Solo European Midi-Bus application. Extending the IVT to satisfy larger commercial vehicles by creating a modular family of transmissions is discussed, together with the future hybridization potential of the IVT
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Citation
Burtt, D., "Fuel Economy Benefits of a High Torque Infinitely Variable Transmission for Commercial Vehicles," SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-4206, 2007, https://doi.org/10.4271/2007-01-4206.Also In
References
- Lee Adrian P Newall Jonathan “Durability of a compact Dual-Cavity Full Toroidal Variator” SAE 2004 World Congress; 2004-01-0353
- Burke Matthew Oaten Robert “Midi-Bus Infinitely Variable Transmission Retarder Deletion Study” SAE 2005 CommVec; 2005-01-3546
- Burke Matthew Briffet Graham Fuller John Heumann Hubert Newall Jonathan “Powertrain efficiency optimization of the Torotrak Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT)” SAE 2003 World Congress; 2003-01-0971