Torotrak PLC Regulatory News (TRK)

27 Nov 2007 07:02

Torotrak PLC27 November 2007 27 November 2007 Torotrak announces Licence Agreement with a second major Formula 1 team Further to the announcement on 24 September 2007 by Torotrak Plc that a majorFormula 1 (F1) racing team had become the Company's first customer for themechanical KERS system, Torotrak are pleased to announce a further new licenceagreement with a leading F1 team. This second F1 team has entered into a licence agreement with Torotrak whichwill enable them to use Torotrak's full-toroidal traction drive technology in amechanically based kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) from the start of the2009 system, when F1 is introducing new rules that will lower the environmentalimpact of the sport. The licence granted to this F1 customer will allow the teamto design, manufacture and assemble its own traction drive system or, at itsoption, source its traction drive technology and hardware from Torotrak'sexisting partners. Torotrak's technology will be used by the new F1 licensee in an efficient,compact, continuously variable transmission (CVT) unit. This is a centralelement in the mechanical flywheel-variator KERS system as it provides acontinuously variable-ratio connection between the flywheel and the driveline,via the vehicle's transmission. The mechanical KERS system utilises the CVT and a flywheel to recuperate kineticenergy, which is otherwise wasted when a moving vehicle is decelerated, and tostore and subsequently discharge that recovered energy to boost economy orperformance of the vehicle. This further licence agreement demonstrates the ever increasing confidencewithin F1 in the mechanical KERS system based upon Torotrak's full-toroidaltraction drive technology, which has been reinforced by Torotrak and itspartners, Flybrid Systems and Xtrac, winning the Professional MotorSport World'Engine Innovation of the Year Award' on 6 November 2007 in Cologne for themechanical KERS. It also highlights the use of Torotrak's technology to meet the objective setout by Max Moseley, the FIA president, of F1 developing technology that isdirectly relevant to improving the performance and fuel efficiency of road cars. Dick Elsy, Chief Executive at Torotrak, stated: "A second major F1 teamrecognising the benefits of the mechanical KERS system and utilising its abilityto contribute to improved performance reinforces the growing belief that ourmechanical system is the most efficient KERS option for F1. It further supportsthe opportunity for acceptance of Torotrak's technology for use in mainstreamroad cars to provide improvements in performance, fuel economy and greenhousegas emissions." The innovative combination of the Torotrak variator, which provides mechanicalefficiency in excess of 90 per cent, with a flywheel of advanced lightweightconstruction, results in a highly efficient and compact energy storage system. The mechanical KERS system utilises flywheel technology to recover and store amoving vehicle's kinetic energy which is otherwise wasted when the vehicle isdecelerated. The energy is received from the driveline through the Torotrak CVTas the vehicle decelerates, and is subsequently released back into thedriveline, again through the CVT, as the vehicle accelerates. The FIA havedefined the amount of energy recovery for 2009 season as 400kJ per lap givingthe driver an extra 80hp over a period of 6.67 seconds. Compared to the alternative of electrical-battery systems, the mechanical KERSsystem provides a significantly more compact, efficient, lighter andenvironmentally-friendly solution. Media contacts: Peter O'Neill, Marketing Executive, TorotrakTel: +44 (0) 1772 900318 Email: peter.oneill@torotrak.com Notes to editor: Torotrak is a world leader in the development of full-toroidal traction drivetechnology for use in automotive, truck, bus, off-highway, OPE and ancillarydrive markets. Technical notes on toroidal variable drive technology The components within each variator include an input disc and an opposing outputdisc. Each disc is formed so that the gap created between the discs is'doughnut' shaped; that is, the toroidal surfaces on each disc form the toroidalcavity. Two or three rollers are located inside each toroidal cavity and are positionedso that the outer edge of each roller is in contact with the toroidal surfacesof the input disc and output disc. As the input disc rotates, power is transferred via the rollers to the outputdisc, which rotates in the opposite direction to the input disc. The angle of the roller determines the ratio of the variator and therefore achange in the angle of the roller results in a change in the ratio. So, with theroller at a small radius (near the centre) on the input disc and at a largeradius (near the edge) on the output disc the variator produces a "low" ratio.Moving the roller across the discs to a large radius at the input disc andcorresponding low radius at the output produces the "high" ratio and providesthe full ratio sweep in a smooth, continuous manner. The transfer of power through the contacting surfaces of the discs and rollerstakes place via a microscopic film of specially developed long-molecule tractionfluid. This fluid separates the rolling surfaces of the discs and rollers attheir contact points. The input and output discs are clamped together within each variator unit. Thetraction fluid in the contact points between the discs and rollers become highlyviscous under this clamping pressure, increasing its 'stickiness' and creatingan efficient mechanism for transferring power between the rotating discs androllers. ends This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange