A Continuously Variable Transmission for Automotive Fuel Economy

The use of a high efficiency, continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a wide ratio range is required in order to operate an automotive engine at minimum brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc). Such operation will increase fuel economy from 20-40% over conventional practice.

This paper describes a 12:1 ratio range CVT, and shows a simplified control system capable of allowing a vehicle to operate with the engine at or very near minimum bsfc under all demand power conditions for optimized fuel economy.

Also described is the effect such a transmission has on vehicle performance and raises the possibility of reducing engine size to maintain normal performance, and further increase fuel economy.