NEW YORK, NY — Allison Transmission and Dana have licensed the rights to the technology for a continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmission that’s equally at home in bicycles, lawn-mowers, and yes, heavy trucks. In fact, there are applications for almost any product using a mechanical power transmission

Called NuVinci, it was developed by Fallbrook Technologies, and the three companies have formed long-term strategic relationships that will see them co-operate on the engineering, manufacturing, and commercializing of these “next generation” transmissions for cars, commercial vehicles, and off-highway equipment. Fallbrook is a privately held technology development company headquartered in California. It has built a portfolio of over 500 patents and patent applications worldwide.

Its NuVinci CVP technology enables designers to reduce the complexity of transmissions, superchargers, and other powertrain systems and allows the engine to operate at more efficient speeds. These CVP transmissions are said to increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve overall vehicle performance.

The NuVinci CVP is the only continuously variable transmission that has a planetary gear set’s advantages of high torque density, versatility of use, inline shafts and low production cost. As a result, says Fallbrook, it’s the only technology potentially capable of replacing the planetary gear transmission – in every application – as virtually a plug-and-play replacement.

Through its licensing agreement, Allison gains the exclusive right from Fallbrook to use its CVP technology to develop and commercialize primary drivetrain transmissions for Allison’s end markets, which could include commercial vehicles, military applications, and certain off-highway and large stationary equipment markets.

Under a separate agreement, Dana will hold an exclusive licence from Fallbrook to engineer and produce transmission components and other advanced powertrain solutions with the NuVinci CVP technology for passenger and certain off-highway vehicles.

Dana and Allison have also signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic alliance through which Dana would exclusively manufacture transmission components with NuVinci CVP technology for Allison.

“This technology is a true leap forward in transmission design that highlights our growing portfolio of advanced drivetrain systems and comprehensive vehicle solutions that drive customer value,” said Roger J. Wood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dana.

Fallbrook’s proprietary NuVinci CVP technology is an award-winning, traction-based class of continuously variable transmission that’s said to be scalable and highly adaptable. It controls relationships of speed and torque and is applicable to mechanical devices that have a transmission or can benefit from speed or torque variation. The transmission uses a set of rotating balls between the input and output components. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio. Compared to other current transmission technologies, Fallbrook says its NuVinci idea is less complex, scales and packages more easily, costs less to manufacture, and facilitates achieving optimum performance.

Among its other claimed advantages, it’s said to offer easier shifting, the ability to accept multiple inputs, multiple power outlets such as for a power take off (PTO) application, and improved hill-climbing.

See a video of how the transmission works here.

Full-scale production of off-highway transmissions with NuVinci-equipped components in Dana’s served markets is expected within the next three to five years, while implementation in passenger and commercial vehicles is anticipated before the end of this decade. — R.L.