No, we’re not nuts. British company Torotrak has engineered a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that actually made us excited.
Torotrak has engineered a CVT in series mated to a planetary gearset that drives a centrifugal compressor to increase intake pressure, which effectively works as a supercharger. Tototrak says that the system can work on both petrol and diesel engines.
Called V-Charge, the vehicle’s accessory belt (FEAD belt) drives the compressor. The compressor is hooked up to a toroidal CVT with a ratio spread of 10:1 and speeds can be adjusted independently of engine speed to deliver optimum air flow without a bypass, which is wasteful. Torotrak says that the CVT can switch from minimum to maximum ratio in less than 400 mm, with power consumption during the change being less than 20W.
As V-Charge utilizes a traditional centrifugal compressor, power consumption is less, which in turn improves efficiency and less package space is required. In fact, V-Charge runs quieter and cooler than traditional superchargers, which eliminates the need for extra soundproofing. NVH tests from Torotrak shows that sound pressure level can be up to 98.5% quieter than a Roots type supercharger.
The company has been working with the University of Bath and Ford to develop this system, demonstrating its effectiveness on a Ford Focus EcoBoost fitted with a 1.0-litre engine. Independent tests have showed that the tiny 1.0-litre engine is able to deliver a healthy 240 Nm of torque, putting it on par with its 1.5-litre turbocharged sibling.
Torotrak aims to license its technology out to car manufacturers or OEMs instead of doing it in-house.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WohJ7f6asmc%3F
