Fallbrook, which is based in San Diego, claims that its technology offers simplicity, flexibility and economy to make it preferable to other continuously variable transmissions. The technology development firm said NuVinci transmissions are now being manufactured for bicycles, and it is also pitching the technology for automobiles, light electric vehicles, wind turbinesand agricultural equipment.

There are fluids that are on the market right now, Fallbrook President and Chief Executive Officer William Klehm III told Lube Report. In my mind, though, they have issues around cost and availability. [The fluids developed under the agreement] will be an engineered fluid, but Fallbrook and Valvoline are both committed to the idea that you need a product and supply structure that will make it affordable.

The NuVinci transmission uses a set of rotating balls between its input and output components. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio between the components. Fallbrook said fluids in its transmission will have properties specifically designed to transmit torque between two smooth rolling elements. They will also provide lubrication to protect elements from wear, dissipate heat, and dampen vibrations in the transmission, just as conventional transmission fluids do in geared transmissions.

The agreement with Valvoline calls for the companies to cooperate to develop and test fluids and for Valvoline then to market them under the NuVinci brand name.

Were proud to be joining the Valvoline group of brands, Klehm said. Valvoline is one of the largest and most respected global suppliers of packaged fluids, with a family of premier brand names everyone knows.

Valvoline already sells transmission fluids, but the Lexington, Ky., marketer said the alliance will help itposition itself to take advantage of the growing interest in new types of transmissions.

We see our partnership with Fallbrook as a strategic entry point into the growing market of advanced infinitely variable transmission technologies, said Bob Craycraft, senior vice president and general manager for Valvoline. There is tremendous long-term potential both in Fallbrooks NuVinci technology, and in the entire high-tech fluids business.

Fallbrook has a manufacturing agreement with Aftermarket Technology Corp. – a Downers Grove, Ill., transmission builder – which it says is in the final stages of negotiating a contract to make NuVincis for a bicycle manufacturer. Without discussing projected numbers, Fallbrook officials said they expect bikes with NuVinci transmissions in place of traditional gear assemblies to come to market this year.

The volume of fluid at stake with the bicycle market is small, Klehm acknowledged, explaining that a bicycle transmission will require only 150 milliliters of fluid. But Aftermarket Technology has also entered or is negotiating deals with manufacturers of light electric vehicles and agricultural equipment. Klehm said passenger cars and light trucks are also ideal applications.

Several automakers have begun installing different types of continuously variable transmissions on a limited basis, but Klehm contended they all have drawbacks that make them impractical for widespread use. Some of those technologies – such as chain- and belt-driven transmissions – do not require transmission fluids. Toroidal (doughnut-shaped) and half-toroidal transmissions do use traction fluids, but Klehm said they are very expensive.