dDrive - A Breakthrough in Transmission Technology

dDrive is a new kind of geared transmission. It is:

• a conventional gearbox because it has geared cogs to transfer motive power; but
• it is also a device without gears because these cogs remain engaged at all times and do not therefore use a clutch.

Its special engineering design means that dDrive can operate not only as a continuously variable transmission, but as an infinitely variable one, for maximum efficiency according to operating conditions and operator preferences.

Geared cogs, which remain fully engaged at all times, generate motive power from the input source.  Speed and power output can be controlled and varied as required and even ‘stabilised’ for constant output. The transmission can even change direction seamlessly – all without disengaging the power source.

For more indepth information please visit ‘The Technology’ Page.

Commercial Potential

Engineering work performed to date suggests that, in commercial applications following further development, dDrive can be expected to deliver improved fuel economy – and therefore reduced emissions from any carbon-based fuel source.

Also, through its innovative design, dDrive offers the prospect of high torque throughout the power curve – even at the critical low-revolutions end of the range.

Development Status and Commercialisation

dDrive currently exists as a demonstration model and has been successfully shown on television (where it was shown on the ABC New Inventors programme in April 2010 and was voted the winner of its segment by the judging panel). dDrive has also been shown to some of our round one investors. (For more information please see the ‘News’).

The commercial potential of dDriveIt has also been confirmed in a favourable assessment by a specialist engineering company.  Once again refer to ‘The Technology’ Page.

We plan to build on this initial success through further engineering development with a view to subsequent commercialisation and believe the dDrive technology can be configured to a wide range of commercial applications.

** dDrive Photo courtesy of Erica Siegel.