High Efficiency Torque Multiplication for Military Ground Vehicle Transmission

Orbital Traction proposes to demonstrate, through research, development and testing; the efficiency and performance gains achievable on military ground vehicles through optimization of the driveline by replacing the torque converter with an innovative high efficiency torque multiplication (HETM) technology. Orbital’s HETM solution is a drop-in replacement for the torque converter and can be used to upgrade existing military transmissions. Packaging the system within the existing space claim minimizes the level of driveline modifications while improving performance for optimum benefits. Leveraging Phase I results and prior efforts, Orbital proposes replacement of the torque converter with the novel application of Orbital’s infinitely-variable transmission. Orbital’s HETM would eliminate many of the limitations of existing torque converters for heavy duty vehicles. The unit provides a gear-neutral allowing input rotation with zero output rotation while maintaining output torque. At low speeds, substantially more torque can be produced. This coupled with the higher efficiency improves vehicle performance in ‘crawl’ drive cycles. The reduction in fuel consumption enables longer mission duration and/or increases vehicle operating ranges. Implementation of the new system, in conjunction with proper controls, is expected to yield a reduction in fuel usage, over standard mission profiles, by greater than 20%.