Torvec Expands Patent Protection to Mexico
27 April 2000
Torvec Expands Patent Protection to Mexico
Extending "Moat" Around Technology Portfolio
Receives First Orders from Redesigned http://www.Torvec.com
ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 27 Torvec, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: TOVC), developer of advanced and fuel-efficient
automotive technologies and the Fast Tracked Vehicle, today announced that it
has been granted patent protection for its lightweight hydraulic pump and
motor assembly in Mexico. The Company also announced that has received orders
for the Fast Tracked Vehicle from its newly redesigned web site
http://www.torvec.com.
Keith Gleasman, President of Torvec, said, "We continue to extend the moat
that protects our inventions. Each of these advances is critical to our
vision of Torvec's Fast Tracked Vehicle. One day you'll be able to lift the
hood of the FTV and find our infinitely variable transmission, powered by our
hydraulic pump and motor, which is made possible by the spherical gearing in
our CV joint. The Torvec portfolio is a fully integrated set of advancements
that makes the FTV a unique, energy efficient vehicle."
Mr. Gleasman continued, "Torvec is now receiving orders for the FTV on our
newly redesigned web site. Since developing countries are a significant
market for the FTV, our ability to receive orders electronically is a big
plus. E-commerce helps bridge the gaps in geography, helping us reach buyers
in the remotest corners of the earth." Torvec encourages interested parties
to visit http://www.torvec.com.
Torvec now has patents for its Hydraulic Assembly in Mexico, the United
States, Japan, Korea, Canada and Australia. A patent is pending in Brazil.
Torvec has been advised that its patent has been allowed in Europe and expects
an official patent to be issued later this year. The Company plans to
register its European patent in several markets.
Torvec's patent portfolio is the result of Torvec's efforts to develop the
FTV(TM). While each of Torvec's patented inventions can stand alone and has
separate market opportunities, all can be used to improve the commercial
competitiveness of Torvec's FTV.
Following is a discussion of the Company's core technologies:
The Fast Tracked Vehicle brings its own road with it - making it ideal for
unpaved areas comprising most Asia, Africa and South America. The FTV steers
as easily as a car, since it incorporates Torvec's patented STEER DRIVE. The
FTV smoothly navigates the roughest terrain off-road, can reach highway speeds
on paved roads, and leaves no ruts due to its very low ground pressure. Given
its wide application and low cost to manufacture, the FTV could be very useful
to the military, agriculture, mining, timber and the general consumer markets.
Torvec's plans for the FTV include its INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION,
which provides an uninterrupted drive through an infinite number of geared
speed ratios, as opposed to the limited number of stepped gears in today's
transmissions. Torvec's IVT does not require a torque converter and is not
horsepower limited. This transmission will improve the fuel efficiency of all
types of engines -- gas, diesel, electric and hybrid - because it allows the
engine to run at a constant r.p.m. of approximately 2x idle rate. Torvec has
manufactured and tested earlier models of this transmission and proven them to
increase fuel economy. Torvec's transmission has almost 300 fewer parts, is
smaller and significantly lighter than a standard automatic transmission, and
is less expensive to manufacture.
Torvec's transmission is possible, in part, through Torvec's patented
lightweight HYDRAULIC PUMP AND MOTOR assembly. In the past, hydraulics were
not acceptable for use in cars and light trucks because of their excessive
noise, heat and weight. Torvec's infinitely variable transmission has none of
these disadvantages. Using Torvec's hydraulics, its transmission weighs 25 to
75 lbs. less than current transmissions, depending upon engine size.
Torvec's hydraulic pump and motor assembly incorporates the Company's
CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT which has true infinite gearing based on Torvec's
proprietary SPHERICAL GEARING assembly. CV joints are essential to steering
mechanisms and other flexible coupling applications which Torvec estimates
comprise a $15 billion market annually. The primary advance of Torvec's CV
joint is its reduced unit size, weight and manufacturing cost. Additionally,
Torvec's CV joint technology has constant gearing speeds through an 80 degree
range, as opposed to the 5 to 15 degree range of today's CV joints.
Torvec, Inc., based in Rochester, New York, is a developer of highly
advanced automotive technologies and the FTV.
This press release contains forward-looking "Safe Harbor" statements based
on current expectations. These are subject to the risks and uncertainties
outlined in the Company's 10-KSB statement for the fiscal year ended
December31, 1999. These also include the Company's ability to develop and
negotiate joint venture agreements and to commercialize its patented
technology. The pre-production prototype FTV that the Company has produced,
and the FTVs offered for advance ordering on http://www.torvec.com, do not
incorporate the Torvec Infinitely Variable Transmission or its subcomponents.