AD&P; > September 2013 > ON ELECTRONICS
by Zachary Peterson
ON ELECTRONICS
ON ELECTRONICS
> Associate Editor
Magnetic CVT Saves Fuel
Magnomatics' (magnomatics.com) magnetic continuously
variable transmission (mCVT) replaces the epicyclical gear
and the motor generator of a traditional hybrid powertrain
in a simple concentric package. Depending on the design,
the system could also eliminate the engine fywheel and
torsional damper. The mCVT allows a variable speed drive
to be connected to a fxed speed load, is highly efcient
and compact, and requires no cooling or lubrication.
Compared with mechanical power split devices (such as those
used in the Toyota Prius), simulations run by Magnomatics
engineers show the mCVT would provide somewhere between
a 3% and 5% fuel economy improvement.
The mCVT is two rings of permanent magnets with a
ring of steel pole pieces in between. These steel pieces
act as fux paths from each ring of magnets. This creates
harmonics in the felds produced by each ring of magnets
and with precise selection of pole numbers, a gear ration is
created by coupling the harmonic feld.
The device isn't passive since power fow is always required
through the stator, either as a source or sink. Typically,
the maximum power required in the control stator is 25%
of the power being transferred through the powertrain,
Magnomatics says.
The technology is being evaluated by Ford and Volvo Trucks as
part of government-funded projects and is also being evaluated by a large Japanese Tier One supplier, the company says.
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