One of my projects is working with a gentleman in Oz. who has invented a very ingenious IVT [Infinitely Variable Transmission] which is capable of being developed for use in high load/high horsepower applications.
Most interesting in using the IVT in long haul trucks would be the ability to set the engine at peak efficiency RPM and then "drive the transmission" to adjust for change in load, road conditions and speed. The truck [or bus] would always be "in the right gear". There would be a clutch or a torque converter to uncouple the engine / transmission and for start, however the transmission will shift under load into any ratio without "normal gear clash". In fact, by the current design, it would be possible to go from the highest ratio to full reverse at speed. Obviously, in application, that "feature" will be locked out... ;)). If the project works out, the IVT will select ratio based on a combination of wheel speed and load, controlled by the "foot feed", so the driver would actually be controlling the transmission ratio rather than the engine speed to adjust for change in terrain or traffic demand, while the engine runs at peak efficiency for maximum fuel economy. Since the trucking industry is second only to the airline industry in billions of gallons of fuel used, the savings could be "large" worldwide. Grant... On Fri, Apr 27, 2012 at 9:16 AM, Peter Hertzing <phertz...@gmail.com> wrote: > Well for several years mci and prevost (bus makers) and I'm sure big truck > makers as well played with auto sticks where you just used a clutch to > start then it was a direct drive automatic. Got a little better mileage. > And didn't require shifting. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Apr 27, 2012, at 12:30 AM, Fmiser <fmi...@gmail.com> wrote: > > >> Randy Bennell wrote: > > > >> If MB intended you to do that, they wouldn't have bothered to > >> put in a clutch pedal. > > > > Heh. The clutch pedal is for starting moving from a full stop. > > After that, it's just there to confuse the plebeians. > > > > -- Philip > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
