Koenigsegg Regera Direct Drive VS a regular torque converter?

[butwhy]

So I've read about this "new technology" that Koenigsegg has brought called Direct Drive which they have put in their latest car "Regera".

//youtu.be/glf_k4qGBAA

Now my question for mechanical engineers (@Xulfiqar ?) is : How is this any different from a standard torque converter found in all automatic cars? They say they have a patent pending. I think that patent will be rejected. What do you guys think?

[Xulfiqar]

the torque converter is standard type but its vanes are not standard design from what it looks like, its built to allow quite a lot of slip too, the clutch aft of the torque converter is the lockup clutch but on he-man or hercules level.

what they have done is take the two components and placed them as two individual pieces unlike production cars torque converters where its all in one casing.

The motor behind the crankshaft what they mentioned is just like the honda hybrid electromotor sandwich.

[butwhy]

the torque converter is standard type but its vanes are not standard design from what it looks like, its built to allow quite a lot of slip too, the clutch aft of the torque converter is the lockup clutch but on he-man or hercules level.

what they have done is take the two components and placed them as two individual pieces unlike production cars torque converters where its all in one casing.

The motor behind the crankshaft what they mentioned is just like the honda hybrid electromotor sandwich.

Like one of those high stall converters :

//youtu.be/kHGyb2dy4tE

Except as you say with heavy duty lock up clutch (but isn't that obviously necessary if you have 1,500 hp which is like more than a tank?).

The problem I have with this is that they're passing this off as a brand new invention, where as it has been out there for almost a century or has it?.

Also, you say the vanes are not standard. By that you mean the vanes (on the compressor thing; the big "pyala" he's holding in his right hand throughout) they are not straight (like a centrifugal turbine), instead it resembles a co-axial turbine(the turn/twist of vanes what ever you call it, just like a fan). Is that what you meant? (I'm no engineer and don't know all the fancy words). Don't existing converters have that kind of thing? Is this something completely new?

Thanks. (Sorry for late reply, wasn't expecting a response at all)

[butwhy]

bump........

[butwhy]

@xulfiqar

bump????

[butwhy]

Anyone else?

[salik990]

slight off topic, they (Koenigsegg) have come up with new cam-less engine called freevalve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZWeNPi2XkE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3cFfM3r510

[butwhy]

slight off topic, they (Koenigsegg) have come up with new cam-less engine called freevalve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZWeNPi2XkE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3cFfM3r510

Pretty much all major car companies have come up with cam-less valve-train systems...It's not even something new. The issue is economics. The slight gains in efficiency and power are not enough to justify such expensive and complex systems. It's far easier to make a bigger engine, put turbo charger, use fancy transmissions (to keep RPM in power or economy range depending on application), etc.

Personally I think the car industry should move towards fixed RPM generator-like engines and get rid of any/all variable valve timing stuff. Focus on CVTs. Imagine a car that idles at 800rpm and achieves top speed at 2,000rpm. All very efficiently and silently. Something like that.

And yes, this is off topic, and not slightly. Please make another thread(Not telling you to F off, just encouraging you to make a new thread for an interesting discussion).

[butwhy]

hello anyone?

[Xulfiqar]

Its not a brand new invention - its ancient - General Motors had a stator stall torque converter coupled to their 2 spd hydraglide transmissions in the 50s. The same design has been used ever since in every automatic.

What KSG is doing unique is that they have no transmission, its just a torque converter and a few electric motors. The motors start the acceleration, the high slip converter behind the mighty 1200 hp engine assists the drivetrain for smooth launch, as the engine comes onto power the torque converter is in stall range (just like your video above) - and the motors are also providing torque at this point too.

So it basically would be like a giant wave of torque with no dips/changes as there are no gears - (like a top fuel dragster)

[butwhy]

Its not a brand new invention - its ancient - General Motors had a stator stall torque converter coupled to their 2 spd hydraglide transmissions in the 50s. The same design has been used ever since in every automatic.

What KSG is doing unique is that they have no transmission, its just a torque converter and a few electric motors. The motors start the acceleration, the high slip converter behind the mighty 1200 hp engine assists the drivetrain for smooth launch, as the engine comes onto power the torque converter is in stall range (just like your video above) - and the motors are also providing torque at this point too.

So it basically would be like a giant wave of torque with no dips/changes as there are no gears - (like a top fuel dragster)

Like a CVT.

Are you sure such a thing has never been done before? Maybe in some tank etc? (keeping in mind power figures are similar).

[Xulfiqar]

Like a CVT.

Are you sure such a thing has never been done before? Maybe in some tank etc? (keeping in mind power figures are similar).

no

not a CVT, a CVT is an actual transmission which ranges from underdrive to overdrive - this car wont be having a transmission "per se" - just a direct drive system, in simple terms imagine the car being in direct gear all the time. They will include a small dog clutch or brake for reverse most probably.

[butwhy]

no

not a CVT, a CVT is an actual transmission which ranges from underdrive to overdrive - this car wont be having a transmission "per se" - just a direct drive system, in simple terms imagine the car being in direct gear all the time. They will include a small dog clutch or brake for reverse most probably.

Yeah but the effect would be similar. You always keep rpm in ideal range for max power.

Also, except for overdrive, if on your converter you can somehow vary the stall speed on the go, it's kind of like the same thing as a CVT.