This is going to be huge, "poised to obsolete all other forced induction methods" is what they claim and I can see why. Supercharger shaft input speed controlled through this cute little cvt which could be shifted electronically or even mechanically.

Supercharger | Fallbrook Technologies Inc.

http://www.fallbrooktech.com/sites/d...a_SuperC_0.pdf

How cool would a direct driven fully variable centrifugal be, placed opposite the crankshaft drive pulley!

 

I like anything new, given it actually works. Looks as if they are aiming at the commercial market--don't know how big it will be in the world of street rides, but the overall effect won't be as big as the hype apparently is.

 

I understand the concept they are trying to convey as some sort of speed multiplying clutch system but from the diagram they show, I really don't see how it does that.

 

NuVinci Bicycle CVT - YouTube

 

Meh. Good idea in theory, but so is communism. and rotarys.

 

and electric vehicles...

 

Pretty neat but I can make the same concept with about $400. All you do is say throw on a nice size procharger with a good over drive where it's making more boost then needed, and just run a wastegate on the charge pipe. Simple as that. And it's "variable" because all you have to do is run a in cab boost controller. There you go boost on demand.

 

I'm not going to bash it. I think its cool. Innovation drives this industry, afterall... It won't make other forced induction obsolete, though.

 

CVT's have been around forever in snow mobiles, jet ski's and 4wd quads.....lots of tuning to sort them out though.

 

They're also in MANY cars (most of which I despise, how about that? ) It is definitely an interesting concept, no doubt.