Industry News
Flybrid, Torotrak and Xtrac's KERS system nominated for MotorSport World Expo award
18th October 2007
Following the announcement in September of the first application of their mechanical ‘kinetic energy recovery system’ (KERS) with a major Formula 1 (F1) team, Flybrid, Torotrak and Xtrac have been shortlisted for a Professional MotorSport World Expo Award.
Competing in the category of Engine Innovation of the Year, the KERS development is among four finalists drawn up from nominations submitted to the Professional MotorSport World Expo website.
The mechanical regenerative braking KERS system developed for F1 comprises a toroidal traction drive CVT and a mechanical flywheel developed by Flybrid Systems, used to store the moving vehicle’s kinetic energy. This energy is recuperated from the driveline, through Torotrak’s CVT, as the vehicle decelerates. This energy is subsequently released back into the driveline - again through the CVT - as the vehicle accelerates.
Torotrak’s CVT has been engineered for the F1 application by Xtrac, who will also manufacture the device. In June 2007, both companies entered into a licence agreement to enable Xtrac to develop and sell the CVT for motorsport applications.