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From: keller@uicsl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Gearless Transmissions--Finally - (nf)
Message-ID: <5252@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Jan-84 22:49:03 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.5252
Posted: Mon Jan 30 22:49:03 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Feb-84 06:40:24 EST
Lines: 16

#N:uicsl:2800009:000:846
uicsl!keller    Jan 30 12:43:00 1984

	BuisnessWeek (Feb. 6, 1984, p.74) has an article about continuously
variable ratio transmissions being introduced in Europe and Japan this
summer with US introduction in 1986. The system works by adjusting two
opposing conical faces of a pully that force a belt up or down their face in
proportion to the separation. The belt runs between two such adjustable
pullys and is (here's the secret) made of a string of steel plates on steel
band. Projected life is 100k miles and can handle 450-hp. When combined with
electronic controls it should be much better than traditional automatics and
may challenge manual transmissions.
	Currently one company has a monopoly on these "gearless
transmissions." It is a small Dutch company called Van Doorne Transmissie.
However every other manufacturer is working on it. Volvo is part owner of
this company.