What we do
Torotrak is the world leader in full-toroidal traction drive transmission technology, focusing on research and development in this specialised field and on developing products and applications for its customers, including those in the commercial vehicle, automotive, off-highway and outdoor power equipment (OPE) markets.
Pioneering full-toroidal transmission technology
The company’s technology is proven to deliver outstanding levels of performance, functionality and efficiency in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs) – both providing seamless delivery of power from reverse through to forward drive – and compact, power-dense toroidal variable auxillary drives (TVADs), offering customers and partners the opportunity to create significant product differentiation and bring new benefits to end users. Torotrak's KERS CVT technology is used for application in flywheel-based mechanical hybrids.
The company is focused on achieving mass-commercialisation of its technology through a range of business models including technology licensing, the supply of engineering consultancy services and joint-venture relationships.
Products incorporating Torotrak’s technology are already in volume manufacture and, backed by more than £60m of investment, the company has built up an extensive portfolio of international patents based on its unrivalled intellectual property and know-how relating to the development and application of its toroidal technology. Torotrak’s workforce of highly qualified engineers specialises in developing variable ratio transmissions for main drive applications, flywheel-based mechanical hybrid systems and auxiliary drives. The company was recently awarded a joint Motorsport World Expo Award and a Motorsport Industry Association Business Excellence Award for its KERS CVT technology.
Licensing, engineering consultancy and joint ventures
Torotrak offers a flexible approach to licensing, working closely with customers to determine how its full-toroidal traction drive technology, knowledge and expertise can be applied to deliver optimum benefit in those customers’ applications. Becoming a Torotrak licensee allows customers to use and further develop Torotrak’s technology, applying it to their products and marketing them under their own brand. Working with OEMs, transmission tier-1s and key component suppliers, Torotrak can also supply bespoke and customised transmission designs that are engineered specifically for a particular application.
All licensees receive formal technology transfer and training from Torotrak’s engineers together with a comprehensive technology manual to help with the design of full-toroidal traction drive transmission systems for specific applications.
Torotrak also provides engineering consultancy to its prospective and current clients, supporting projects around the globe with precise, insightful advice, helping customers to apply the company’s technology to its own products and to realise maximum technical and commercial value.
In addition to licensing, Torotrak also welcomes joint venture opportunities with partners and manufacturers, who wish to benefit from Torotrak’s award-winning expertise and research and development skills, helping them to create market-leading products.
To understand more about the different ways we can work with you, click here
A wide range of markets and applications
Torotrak’s full-toroidal traction drive technology can be used to deliver reduced emissions and fuel consumption, and a range of other product-specific benefits, across a wide range of markets and applications. Currently, Torotrak is focused on exploiting its technology in four principal markets as follows:
Commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, truck and bus-derived vehicles, heavy military vehicles and heavy commercial off-road or on-road vehicles
Outdoor power equipment (OPE), including lawn tractors and ride-on mowers, small utility vehicles, outdoor powered tools and equipment
Off-highway, including tractors, combine-harvesters, other agricultural and construction vehicles, and materials handling equipment including wheeled loaders and forklift trucks
Automotive, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles,light utility vehicles and specialised vehicles including motorsport.
Variable ratio transmissions
Torotrak’s technology is typically used in two forms of variable ratio transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) - Torotrak’s variator, when used with a clutch or other form of starting device, forms a CVT.
Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) - Torotrak’s variator, when combined with a traction drive or geared epicyclic arrangement, forms an IVT.
Example applications
CVT main drive transmission
When used as a main drive transmission, the CVT’s stepless ratio changes provide a seamless, smooth drive experience, exceeding the refinement levels of conventional automatic transmissions. Compact and power-dense, with a ratio spread of 6.25, it is ideally suited to small passenger car applications.
IVT main drive transmission
When used as a main drive transmission, an IVT allows the engine speed to be decoupled, or separated, from the vehicle speed, allowing the engine to be operated at its most efficient point at all times, providing greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. A very high overdrive is also achieved (typically 74mph / 128kph per 1000 rpm); this together with the stepless ratio change, results in a refined and quiet drive for driver and passenger alike.
IVT efficiency is typically 92% to 95% (depending on the size of the variator, the chosen architecture and the application). ‘Geared neutral’ or zero speed, where the road wheels are stationary but the engine is still running, is another benefit of IVT technology; as there are no slipping clutches (or inefficient torque converters) to generate heat, the vehicle can hold this position indefinitely.
KERS CVTs for use in flywheel-based mechanical hybrids
These are variable drive units that are engineered specifically to connect a high-speed flywheel (which acts as an energy storage device) to a vehicle’s driveline. This provides a highly efficient, power-dense, cost-effective and environmentally friendly mechanical hybrid solution, ideal for applications with regular stop-start operation.
More information on mechanical hybrids
Toroidal Variable Auxiliary Devices (TVADs)
TVADs are cost-effective, power-dense variable drive units for application to engine auxiliary systems such as alternators, turbochargers, superchargers and air conditioning compressors, providing optimisation of both the efficiency and performance of these systems to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.
More information on TVADs