[grey_whiskers]

First continuously variable transmission, now continuously variable compression...

[Impala64ssa]

First continuously variable transmission
Buick laid the groundwork for this technology with the Dynaflow transmission. First seen on postwar Buicks around 1947. In the drive position it operated in one gear while the torque converter acted as a gear reduction for acceleration and hill climbing. They were well built very reliable, but those Buicks got terrible gas mileage around 12-13 mpg at best. Nissan's CVT works on a similar principle, but way more efficiently.

[mazda77]

Geez, that diagram in the article screams of mechanical over complication of a much easier solution considering today’s availability of technology.

I had worked on an engine a guy developed that used one valve per cylinder. Could run any fuel and its valves were controlled by a solenoid whose actuation was not off and on but of a variable drive and not connected mechanically to a camshaft. All the camshaft was used for was pulse timing for sensors. This thing could do the Cadillac 4-6-8 thing based on torque demand coupled to speed and it had the capability to have those cylinders not compress at all if they were determined to be “off” by the injection and ignition computer. Of course I am leaving something out.

No fuel delivery and no compression meant less power loss and fuel savings, as designed for highway cruising and lots of power for stump pulling.

Complicated electronics but only in the software to manage the whole thing.