SBIR PHASE I: Fully Geared and Continuously Variable Transmission

机械工程师早就认识到，发动机的性能特性与车辆传动系相匹配的最佳方式是无级变速器; 100多年来，设计师们一直试图开发一种能够匹配阶梯传动比变速器的扭矩容量、效率、尺寸、重量和制造成本的变速器，但都没有成功。1989年，Epilogics推出了第一款用于汽车和卡车应用的全齿轮无级变速器。这种被称为IVT的变速器有可能在不牺牲尺寸、安全性或性能的情况下满足这些需求。关键的技术问题是IVT内部组件上的机械应力。对操作力进行全面系统的工程分析表明，最关键的部件是单向离合器。传统变速器中的这种离合器仅在换档时循环。标称寿命要求为100万次循环。IVT中的单向离合器（没有它变速器将无法工作）在变速器每转一圈时循环一次。所需的寿命为6亿次循环，或比标准器件的要求大两个数量级以上。目前，单向离合器的缺乏是IVT广泛商业化发展的关键技术障碍。第一阶段研究项目的目标是证明开发合适的单向离合器的可行性。如果成功的话，第二阶段将通过建造一些预商用原型装置并对其进行全面测试来进一步发展。如果技术解决方案能够得到验证，Epilogics将有一个工业合作伙伴准备追求该技术的初步商业化。

Mechanical engineers have long recognized that the optimum way to match the performance characteristics of an engine to the drive train of a vehicle is with a continuously variable transmission; and for more than 100 years, designers have tried unsuccessfully to develop one which can match the torque capacity, efficiency, size, weight and manufacturing cost of steppedÃratio transmissions. In 1989, Epilogics introduced the first fully geared, continuously variable transmission for automobile and trucking applications. This transmission, called the IVT, has the potential to satisfy these needs without sacrificing size, safety or performance. The key technical issue is that of mechanical stresses on the internal components of the IVT. A thorough and systematic engineering analysis of operating forces indicates that the most critical component is the oneÃway clutch. Such clutches in conventional transmissions are cycled only when changing gears. Nominal lifetime requirements are one million cycles. The oneà way clutch in the IVT, without which the transmission would not work, is cycled once every revolution of the transmission. The lifetime requiremeilt is 600 million cycles, or more than two orders of magnitude greater than the requirements of a standard device. The lack of a oneÃway clutch is presently the key technical barrier to the widespread commercial development of the IVT. The goal of the Phase I research project is to demonstrate the feasibility of developing a suitable oneÃway clutch. If successful, Phase II will carry the development further by building a number of preÃcommercial prototype units and comprehensively testing them. If a technical solution can be demonstrated, Epilogics has an industrial partner ready to pursue the initial commercialization of the technology.