## The Race to Develop the Super-Turbine Transmission
The quest for a more efficient and powerful transmission system has been a constant pursuit in the automotive industry. In the early 20th century, the development of turbine transmissions emerged as a promising solution, offering the potential for smoother shifting, improved torque and reduced fuel consumption.
### Early Innovations
The concept of a turbine transmission was first introduced in the early 1900s, with inventors such as Hermann Föttinger and George Constantinesco experimenting with designs. However, it was not until the 1950s that the technology began to gain traction.
In 1954, General Motors introduced the Dynaflow transmission, the first mass-produced turbine transmission. The Dynaflow was a complex and expensive system, utilizing a combination of turbines and clutches to achieve gear changes. Despite its drawbacks, the Dynaflow offered smoother shifting than conventional manual transmissions and proved popular with consumers.
### Chrysler’s TorqueFlite: A Game-Changer
In 1956, Chrysler introduced the TorqueFlite transmission, a major breakthrough in turbine transmission design. The TorqueFlite featured a simplified design with fewer moving parts, making it more reliable and less expensive to manufacture than the Dynaflow.
The TorqueFlite also incorporated a new feature called “torque multiplication,” which allowed the transmission to amplify engine torque at low speeds. This gave vehicles equipped with the TorqueFlite a significant advantage in acceleration and towing capabilities.
Chrysler’s TorqueFlite transmission quickly became the industry standard, and it remained in production for over 40 years. Today, it is still widely used in heavy-duty vehicles and pickup trucks.
### Other Notable Super-Turbine Transmissions
While Chrysler’s TorqueFlite was the most successful super-turbine transmission, it was not the only one developed during this period. Other notable transmissions included:
– Chevrolet Powerglide: This General Motors transmission was introduced in 1950 and was used in a variety of vehicles, including the Chevrolet Corvette. The Powerglide was a two-speed transmission that utilized a planetary gearset and a single turbine.
– Ford Turbine Drive: Ford introduced its own turbine transmission in 1957, called the Turbine Drive. The Turbine Drive was a four-speed transmission that featured a unique “turbine coupling” instead of a traditional torque converter.
– Borg-Warner Automatic Transmission: Borg-Warner developed a range of turbine transmissions that were used by various automakers, including American Motors and Studebaker. Borg-Warner’s transmissions were known for their compact design and durability.
### The Decline of Super-Turbine Transmissions
Despite their advantages, super-turbine transmissions faced several challenges that ultimately led to their decline. These challenges included:
– Cost: Super-turbine transmissions were significantly more expensive to manufacture than conventional manual transmissions. This made them less appealing to budget-conscious consumers.
– Fuel Economy: While super-turbine transmissions offered improved torque and acceleration, they were less fuel-efficient than manual transmissions. As fuel prices rose in the 1970s, consumers sought more fuel-efficient vehicles.
– Reliability: Super-turbine transmissions were more complex than manual transmissions, which made them more prone to breakdowns and repairs. This reputation for unreliability further diminished their appeal to consumers.
### The Shift to Electronic Transmissions
As a result of these challenges, automakers began to shift away from super-turbine transmissions in the 1980s. Instead, they turned to electronically controlled automatic transmissions (ECATs), which offered greater fuel efficiency and reliability.
ECATs utilized computer-controlled shift logic to improve performance and reduce fuel consumption. They also integrated with other vehicle systems, such as the engine and brakes, to provide a more seamless driving experience.
Today, ECATs have become the dominant transmission type in passenger vehicles. However, super-turbine transmissions continue to be used in some heavy-duty vehicles and pickup trucks, where their high torque multiplication and towing capabilities are still valued.
### Conclusion
The development of the super-turbine transmission was a significant milestone in automotive history. These transmissions offered improved performance and smoothness over conventional manual transmissions, and they played a key role in the growth of automatic transmissions in the 20th century.
However, the challenges of cost, fuel economy, and reliability ultimately led to the decline of super-turbine transmissions. Today, ECATs have become the preferred transmission type for passenger vehicles, while super-turbine transmissions remain in use in certain heavy-duty applications.