Phone: (765) 588-3470 Email: [email protected] Web: http://OTC-PRF.org Technology Readiness Level: PRF Reference Number: Technology Domain: Innovator Biography 5 64040 Electrical Engineering Dr. John Starkey is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. He received his B.S. and M.S. from The Ohio State University and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Dr. Starkey was awarded the Harry L. Solberg Award in 2006 and 2010, which is awarded to an outstanding teacher by the Purdue School of Mechanical Engineering and selected by it student body for excellence in teaching. His research interests include acoustics and noise control, design, vehicle dynamics, structural dynamic modification, vibrations, and model testing. Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) have been shown to improve fuel economy between 5 and 10 percent when compared to conventional transmissions with planetary gears. CVTs have become more popular in recent years due to developments in hybrid vehicles and rising fossil fuel prices. The CVT market is dominated by transmissions where the shift profile is adjusted by mechanical means such as flyweights, springs, and hydraulics. Researchers at Purdue University have developed a novel system that fully integrates the adjustment actuator within the CVT. This technology allows the shift profile to be adjusted electronically using software changes, which has several advantages over current electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT) technology, including reductions in the cost of the CVT motor assembly, in the number of moving parts, in the proliferation of overall hardware, and in the time to market of the product. Advantages: -Reduced load on the electrical system when changing gear ratios -Reduction in size compared to mechanically actuated CVTs -Increased reliability through a reduction in the number of moving parts -Reduced time to market when engineering specific applications Actuator for an Electronically Controlled CVT