SAN DIEGO, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook) is responding to the challenge for automakers to provide appropriate performance while downsizing engines for improved fuel economy and lower emissions.  The Company has targeted and is soliciting select OEMs to adopt a variable speed supercharger drive utilizing its NuVinci® continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology.  

Fallbrook has been working closely with a tier one automotive equipment supplier on the development of a variable speed automotive supercharger. Test results from that supplier have demonstrated potential fuel-saving, engine down-sizing and/or down-speeding opportunities without adversely affecting performance and drivability. Performance gains result from boost optimization over a wider power band, particularly at low engine speeds. NuVinci prototypes designed for use in an OEM application have also passed automotive class durability testing by the tier one supplier.

Fallbrook believes, based on testing and independent analysis, that vehicle manufacturers can utilize smaller, more efficient engines with no loss in performance or drivability, thanks to the unique capability to tailor supercharger boost to driver demand offered by a NuVinci-enabled supercharger. Furthermore, by controlling supercharger speed independent of engine speed, the Company believes the NuVinci CVP enables ingestion of only the airflow required by the engine with little to no bypassing, thereby minimizing bypass losses and their associated NVH issues.  To see a picture of the OEM prototype and learn more about NuVinci technology for supercharger applications, go to www.fallbrooktech.com/accessory-drives/supercharger.

In light of the successful test results, Fallbrook and the tier one manufacturer are currently in discussions with potential OEM customers for the NuVinci supercharger drive. Fallbrook believes the drive can be packaged easily, as the current prototype is designed to mate with an existing supercharger line of products.

"The continued impetus to improve automotive efficiencies without sacrificing performance has caused manufacturers to look beyond the engine to realize their goals," said William G. Klehm III, chairman and CEO of Fallbrook. "Fallbrook is presenting a new way of transmitting and modifying mechanical power to the automotive market that replaces conventional transmissions and also enables applications under the hood that have not been commercially viable with existing technologies."

Fallbrook initially demonstrated its development of a variable speed supercharger drive by designing and building a prototype system coupling a NuVinci CVP with an aftermarket supercharger. The demonstration car is a 2008 Mustang Bullitt, equipped with a ProCharger supercharger, and a NuVinci DeltaSeries™ continuously variable speed drive. With assistance in tuning by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, it demonstrates considerable performance increases at lower engine speeds, when the variable speed drive is activated. The Bullitt prototype has logged over 3,000 demonstration miles, and remains operational today for regular demonstrations.

NuVinci DeltaSeries™

The NuVinci supercharger drive is part of the NuVinci DeltaSeries line of accessory drive solutions. The NuVinci DeltaSeries line eliminates the compromise of fixed ratio accessory drives by de-coupling accessory RPM from engine RPM. Other DeltaSeries drives in development include applications for HD vehicle cooling fans, high output alternators, AC compressors, and engine crank-mount units, which control the speed of the entire accessory beltline. For more information on NuVinci DeltaSeries variable speed drives, visit: http://www.fallbrooktech.com/accessory-drives.

About Fallbrook

Fallbrook's NuVinci® continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology improves the performance and efficiency of machines that use a transmission, including bicycles, electric vehicles, automobiles, agricultural equipment, wind turbines and others. The NuVinci technology offers companies the flexibility to design and produce next-generation products that are better tailored to their unique business, market and competitive requirements.

Fallbrook has built an extensive portfolio of over 450 patents and patent applications worldwide. The Company intends to continue its research and development activities to enhance the performance and capabilities of NuVinci technology. For more information, visit: www.fallbrooktech.com.

SOURCE Fallbrook Technologies Inc.