Transmissions
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
Ricardo Introduces New Technology Enabling Low-cost Automated Manual and Dual Clutch Transmissions
July 28, 2008
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| Ricardo’s eAMT transmission, with detail of the electromagnetic linear actuation technology. Click to enlarge. |
Ricardo has unveiled a research prototype vehicle that demonstrates the company’s patent-pending electromagnetic linear actuation technology. This technology offers a low-cost route to robust and efficient Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and dry Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) vehicles, capable of delivering increased fuel economy and lower emissions.
The development vehicle is based on a gasoline-fueled 1.2L Opel Corsa with AMT in which the control and actuation system of the original Easytronic system has been replaced with the electromagnetic linear actuator technology. The new technology is sufficiently versatile and controllable that it can be multiplexed in order to operate both the clutch control and gear selection functions. In the research prototype vehicle this eAMT system demonstrates:
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Antonov Applying Dual-Speed Drives to Engine Accessories
May 25, 2008
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| The Antonov dual-speed front end accessory drive uses a planetary gear set to enable either a direct of step-up ratio. Click to enlarge. |
Antonov Automotive Technologies, which is currently offering a simple dual-speed supercharger for downsizing engines to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (earlier post), is developing other applications of the dual-speed drive unit for alternators, water and air-conditioning pumps, and other engine ancillaries to allow them to operate more often in their most efficient speed range.
The dual-speed technology is based on a simple mechanical shift for an automatic transmission system invented 20 years ago by Roumen Antonov. The principle is to control the shift with the use of centrifugal force and axial thrust generated by helical gears under load. The systems can work as autonomous self-adapting modules without the need for more expensive hydraulic actuation or electronic control.
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Antonov Developing Low Cost Transmissions for Ultra Low Cost Cars
May 21, 2008
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| Antonov low cost automatic transmission for emerging markets. Click to enlarge. |
Antonov, the automotive technology company, is returning to its first principles to develop low cost transmission systems required for ultra low cost cars.
Antonov’s underlying automatic transmission concept for this nascent market segment uses its original patented shift system, which the company is also currently employing for a number of ancillary two-speed applications including alternators, superchargers and engine front-end pulleys.
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Ford To More Than Double 6-Speed Automatics In New Vehicles By End of 2009
May 07, 2008
Ford Motor Company plans to more than double the number—to 1.4 million—of more fuel-efficient, 6-speed automatic transmissions in its North American cars and trucks by the end of 2009. By the end of 2012, 98% of Ford’s North American automatic transmissions will be advanced 6-speed gearboxes.
The 6-speed transmissions provide customers 4 to 6 percent improved fuel economy compared with typical 4- and 5-speed gearboxes, as well as better acceleration and a quieter and more refined driving experience.
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Flywheel and Infinitely Variable Transmission for Mechanical Hybrids
May 03, 2008
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| Schematic of FIVT. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at the University of Warwick (UK) are developing a flywheel and infinitely variable transmission (FIVT) for application in a mechanical hybrid powertrain. The work on FIVT is the outcome of a larger mechanical hybrid project created by the university to assess the potential of mechanical hybrid systems—flywheel, pneumatic and hydraulic—to compete with electrical hybrid systems.
Andrew Bass and Alireza Veshagh developed a simulation tool to evaluate the different types of hybrid powertrains, and found that the Warwick FIVT offered a better cost-benefit to mid- and high-mileage users than any of the other hybrid systems evaluated.
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New Hydraulic Oil Element in ZF 8-Speed Automatic to Better Support Microhybrid Start-Stop
April 28, 2008
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| ZF’s hydraulic impulse oil storage is a spring piston accumulator which directly supplies transmission oil to the shift elements which are essential for startup. Click to enlarge. |
In a presentation at the Vienna Motor Symposium last week, ZF introduced a new hydraulic impulse oil storage element that can be integrated in the new generation of its 8-speed automatic transmissions to better support start-stop microhybrid systems.
The system supplies the hydraulic oil that the transmission’s shift elements need for starting. When the engine is switched off, it allows for a quick restart within 350 milliseconds, as required with the start/stop function.
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Chevrolet Malibu LTZ Offered With Four-Cylinder/Six-Speed Automatic Powertrain for Fuel Economy Boost
April 23, 2008
GM is offering the Chevrolet 2008 Malibu with an efficient four-cylinder/six-speed automatic combination on LTZ models, pairing a 2.4L Ecotec engine with a 6T40 transmission—a segment first, according to GM. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for this combination is 22 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.
By comparison, the 2.4L engine matched with the four-speed transmission on the Malibu is EPA-rated to deliver 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
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New Chrysler, Getrag Dual-Clutch Transmission to Debut in International Markets
April 14, 2008
Chrysler’s new Powershift six-speed dual-clutch transmission—developed in partnership with Getrag—will make its debut this spring in international markets on the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the 2009 Dodge Avenger and the 2009 Chrysler Sebring, mated to a 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Chrysler says that the new transmissions will deliver a fuel economy improvement of 6%.
Chrysler’s commitment to dual-clutch transmission technology is part of the Company’s powertrain offensive, announced last year. (Earlier post.)
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Zeroshift Developing New Actuators and Control System for Automated Manual Transmission
Zeroshift, which launched the second generation of its automated manual transmission at the SAE World Congress in 2007 (earlier post), is introducing two new actuator systems and a new control system at the 2008 SAE World Congress. The Zeroshift AMT can deliver a 2% improvement in fuel economy compared to a manual transmission, and 7% compared to a six-speed planetary automatic, according to the company.
The Zeroshift system replaces the synchromesh in a conventional manual transmission with paired interlocking rings that allows ratios to be changed without torque interruption. Shifts are made via an automated actuation system.
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Audi Introduces New 7-Speed S tronic Transmission
March 19, 2008
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| The new seven-speed S tronic. |
Audi is introducing a new seven-speed S tronic transmission. The new twin-clutch transmission, designed to work with longitudinally installed engines and the quattro all-wheel drive system, offers a 550 Nm torque capacity. Audi will introduce the new S tronic into multiple model lines in series production this year.
The new transmission, developed entirely by Audi, is intended for the mid-range model lines and has been designed to be both sporty while also being efficient.
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Fiat to Develop and Deploy Its First Dual Clutch Transmissions for Small- and Mid-Sized Cars
January 28, 2008
Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) will produce a new transmission—the C635—for use on small- and mid-sized cars. The new transmission will be offered in three versions: manual, Dual Dry Clutch (DDCT, a robotized transmission with dual dry clutch), and robotized. This will be Fiat’s first dual clutch transmission.
The new FPT C635 transmission is a 350 Nm torque, 3-axle system. With the increasing capacity of transmittable torque, the C635 will be used on various models of Fiat Group cars in the B, C, and D segments.
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Antonov Joint Venture With Loncin For New 6-Speed AT Proceeding to Plan, Cooperation with Geely Ended
January 26, 2008
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| The new AT150 automatic transmission will first be targeted at domestic China manufacturers, but eventually will be exported. Click to enlarge. |
Transmission developer Antonov plc says that it is making “considerable progress” in China, with its cooperation with Loncin on developing a small six-speed automatic transmission proceeding according to plan and with financial and other commitments being met on time.
In parallel with the technical development work, marketing of the new product is underway. The first product is aimed at 1.3- to 1.6-liter front wheel drive passenger cars, initially targeting the Chinese domestic car makers.
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Volvo Cars Launches New Powershift AMT for Diesels
January 11, 2008
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| The Getrag-Ford Powershift transmission. |
Two-liter turbodiesel versions of the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 are now available with a new six-speed Powershift automated manual transmission. (Earlier post.) The new Powershift transmission is produced by Getrag-Ford Transmissions, a 50:50 joint venture between Getrag and Ford. The transmission was introduced at the 2006 Frankfurt International Motor Show.
In the Powershift, two manual gearboxes work in parallel and are controlled by separate wet clutches arranged on two main shafts. One clutch controls the odd gears (1, 3, 5 and reverse) while the other handles the even ratios (2, 4 and 6). The clutch function is operated by an electro-hydraulic control unit that ensures that one clutch is shut while the other is open, and vice versa. The two clutches thus operate alternately, with one engaging while the other disengages.
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VW Debuting 7-Speed DSG in Golf and Golf Plus
December 22, 2007
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| The 7-speed DSG offers improved fuel consumption and lower GHG emissions compared to other transmission options—even besting the manual. Click to enlarge. Source: VW |
The new Volkswagen 7-speed DSG automatic transmission (earlier post) is now available in selected countries in the Golf and Golf Plus with the 1.4 TSI and 1.9 TDI engines. In the new 7-speed, the lower gears are more closely spaced, improving in-gear acceleration to aid in overtaking maneuvers, while the higher gears are lengthened to reduce loading on the engine and maximize economy.
The new 7-speed automatic transmission is the first DSG for front-traverse installation. It is also the first with a dry sump. This not only saves considerable weight and improves the efficiency of the system but also makes the new gearbox more compact. The maximum torque that can be transmitted is up to 250 Nm.
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Fallbrook Targeting Continuously Variable Planetary Transmission at Larger Applications Than Bikes
December 10, 2007
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| Design of the basic NuVinci CVP. Click to enlarge. |
Fallbrook Technologies is targeting its NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmission at machines larger than the bicycles and other two-wheeled vehicles it currently serves.
The NuVinci transmission uses a set of rotating and tilting balls positioned between the input and output components of a transmission that tilt to vary the speed of the transmission. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio.
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BorgWarner Finalizing Work on Compact Dual-Clutch Transmission for Small Cars, Emerging Markets; Projected 13% Fuel Efficiency Improvement
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| The new compact dual-clutch transmission. |
BorgWarner is finalizing a new compact dual-clutch transmission designed for developing markets and small cars. Working in conjunction with several Asian automakers, BorgWarner will provide the patent-pending dual-clutch transmission architecture that delivers fuel efficiency in an affordable package targeted at the growing small car demand in developing markets.
BorgWarner expects its compact DualTronic dual-clutch transmission (earlier post) design to provide similar performance and efficiency to the driving experience in small and sub-compact cars that made its original dual-clutch technology attractive in larger vehicles. At the same time, the company is significantly reducing the complexity of the transmission hardware.
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Flybrid Flywheel Hybrid System Passes First Crash Test; Developing for Road Cars as Well
October 28, 2007
Flybrid Systems has demonstrated that its high-speed spinning flywheel system can survive a crash test of the severity used for Formula One frontal impact testing.
The Flybrid kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) incorporates Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) technology sourced from the partnership of Torotrak Plc and Xtrac. Xtrac is using Torotrak’s full-toroidal traction drive technology for use in kinetic energy recovery systems within the motorsport industry. (Earlier post.) The FIA have defined the amount of energy recovery for the 2009 season as 400kJ per lap giving the driver an extra 80hp over a period of 6.67 seconds.
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BorgWarner to Quintuple Dual-Clutch Production
October 09, 2007
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| DualTronic clutch module. Click to enlarge. |
BorgWarner expects production of its dual-clutch transmission modules to increase 500% over the next six years, a key driver of the company’s growth. At full-launch of announced programs under contract in 2012-2013, the company will be providing its DualTronic technology to an expected 2.3 million dual-clutch transmissions per year. Fewer than 450,000 dual-clutch transmissions per year are produced today, all of which have BorgWarner modules, according to the company.
BorgWarner has been awarded business from transmission and vehicle makers around the world, including VW, Audi, Bugatti, SAIC, and a Japanese automaker. BorgWarner is also a key supplier to Getrag programs with five global automakers.
