Fallbrook Technologies Inc. to Enter Automotive Market with NuVinci® Delta Series

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook), a company dedicated to improving the performance and flexibility of transmissions for engine and human-powered devices, officially enters the transportation market with its NuVinci Delta Series™ offering.

Its line of accessory drives and primary transmissions are the industry's first products of their kind to increase fuel efficiency and vehicle performance with the same system.

"All too often automotive engineers must choose between one or the other in designing accessories. Economy compromises performance. Performance compromises economy," said William G. Klehm III, Fallbrook's chairman and CEO. "We're making this 'give and take' scenario a thing of the past!"

The NuVinci Delta Series line optimizes system operation by using the company's patented continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology. Instead of the traditional gear and clutch mechanisms found in conventional transmissions, these products leverage a set of rotating spheres that are arranged around a central "sun" that transfers torque between two "rings." Tilting the spheres changes their contact diameters on the rings, permitting an infinite progression of speed ratios. The result is a smooth, seamless and continuous transition to any ratio within its range, maximizing overall powertrain efficiency and ride quality.

Other advantages include:

• Reported higher torque density than competitive accessory drive transmission offerings.
• Improved overall system performance than with gear and clutch devices.
• More flexible drive configurations that require less space as compared to other transmission lines.
• The opportunity to "rightsize" engine accessories.

"Our product line enables vehicle accessories to run more efficiently by continuously optimizing their speed, regardless of what the engine is doing," said Rob Smithson, Vice President of Business Development and Chief Technology Officer for Fallbrook. "Historically, these belt-driven accessories have been connected directly to the engine, so their speeds are tied to engine RPM. They have to be sized to meet worst case load conditions at low engine speeds, such as idle, which results in more parasitic losses than necessary and wasted energy at high engine speeds because of excess capacity."

"The NuVinci Delta Series accessory drive does away with this issue. For example, at low engine speeds, the accessories can run faster, providing increased performance. An air conditioning compressor can also cool the car better on a hot day while stuck in traffic. At higher engine speeds, our products improve fuel economy by reducing accessory speed, allowing them to consume less power as they run at lower, more efficient operating speeds," said Smithson.

Fallbrook's announcement comes as the company prepares to attend the renowned 63rd annual IAA Commercial Vehicles trade show in Hannover, Germany, tomorrow through September 30.

More information is available at http://www.fallbrooktech.com/03_CVAD.asp.

About Fallbrook Technologies Inc.

Headquartered in San Diego, Fallbrook Technologies Inc. is dedicated to improving the performance and flexibility of transmissions for vehicles and equipment. The company's NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology is applicable to machines that use a transmission, including bicycles, light electric vehicles, automobiles, agricultural equipment and wind turbines. 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 Technologies has built an extensive portfolio of over 350 patents and patent applications worldwide. More information is available at www.fallbrooktech.com.

SOURCE Fallbrook Technologies Inc.