AUTOMATIC CARS CAN SAVE PETROL
Manual gearboxes used in most British cars are 10 per cent more efficient than automatic gearboxes. However these manual gearboxes still absorb 20 per cent more fuel than necessary. The author reviews the development of new automatic gearboxes which could cut petrol consumption by up to 20 per cent. Gear ratio ranges of 6:1 or 8:1 are needed employing an electronic control system to match engine performance with load and speed. Petrol engine efficiency is proportional to throttle opening and inversely proportional to engine speed. Specific fuel consumption at low loads is poor. Current torque converters multiply the engine's torque but add to its losses. The author discusses the advantages of continuously-variable automatic transmissions giving examples of those developed by Automotive Products, Daf, Van, Doorne and Forbes Perry. (TRRL)
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
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Corporate Authors:
IPC Magazine Limited
King's Reach Tower, Stamford Street
London SE1 9LS, England -
Authors:
- CURTIS, A
- Publication Date: 1980-7-24
Media Info
- Features: Figures; Photos;
- Pagination: p. 279-281
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Serial:
- NEW SCIENTIST
- Volume: 87
- Issue Number: 1211
- Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
- ISSN: 0262-4079
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automatic control; Automatic transmissions; Automation; Automobiles; Control; Control devices; Electronic control; Energy conservation; Fuel consumption; Gears; Ratios; Reduction (Chemistry); Torque converters; Transmissions
- Old TRIS Terms: Reduction
- ITRD Terms: 3882: Automatic; 1243: Car; 3874: Control; 212: Energy conservation; 232: Fuel consumption; 1333: Transmission (veh)
- Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00324957
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
- Files: ITRD, TRIS
- Created Date: May 21 1981 12:00AM