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JPMorgan ready to set on £7bn auction of Chrysler in motion
"JPMorgan, the US investment bank advising on the future of Chrysler, will formally kick off a £7 billion auction by sending information memorandums to a number of potential suitors as early as this week, The Times has learnt. "
"It is also thought that Hyundai, the Korean car manufacturer, is interested in joining potential bidders. Hyundai is said to be interested in securing access to Chrysler’s lucrative dealer network."
http://business.timesonline.co.uk:80/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1403683.ece
High court to rule on patents
"Decision could have implications for inventors, Big 3, which help rank state among top for inventions."
"At issue is whether it is too easy to obtain a patent for a product that makes obvious changes to existing inventions. But determining when an invention makes obvious changes to patented products isn't always so clear-cut, said John VanOphem, a Detroit lawyer and vice president of the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association."
"Individuals and research and development departments at Big Three automakers and suppliers, for example, routinely receive patents for inventions that incrementally improve upon pre-existing creations, Mossoff said."
"Teleflex Inc. filed a lawsuit against KSR International for patent infringement, a case that led to a 2004 appeal."
"KSR, which makes adjustable pedals for GM, asked the court to stop the lawsuit, arguing that the Teleflex patent merely combines existing inventions and is invalid."
"The court is expected to issue an opinion on the case after reconvening Tuesday."
"GM wants a new standard. Its lawyers said patents are easily obtained, arguing too many are issued for "insignificant extensions of existing technology," according to the lawsuit."
"A few automotive suppliers, including Michelin and Troy-based ArvinMeritor, say in court filings that incremental developments typically lead to new inventions and the current standard should be protected."
"Without that protection, even on incrementally changed products, inventors could lose their work to copycats, he said."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070219/POLITICS/702190353/1022
IMO, a favorable ruling on this case could significantly assist Torvec and other inventors to retain greater values for their existing patents. Concern over this matter might have been a key reason for Torvec's effort to enhance their existing patent inventory by 50 patents last year. Some of the new patents may have made incrementally improvement upon pre-existing creations. If those incremental improvements were made by another company, this article suggests that they may have been in jeopardy.
Again, it seems to me, that the value of this company is directly related to the merits of the inventions which are protected by the strength of the patent work.
There's more ways than one to a greener world
Automakers united on single front
"Auto companies are making it clear this year that it’s not just the fancy alternative-fuel vehicles that can make a difference to the environment. It seems as though the major manufacturers are all redefining engine and transmission designs with fuel-efficiency, low emissions and better performance in mind. Persuading manufacturers into crafting these technologies is by itself a huge victory for environmental protectors. "
http://autos.canada.com/autoshow2007/story.html?id=27817963-ee61-4709-a053-9809cf505b13
Hyundai revs up in race for Chrysler deal
February 18, 2007
The Korean industrial giant Hyundai is leading a pack of international suitors for Chrysler, the troubled US arm of automotive manufacturer Daimler Chrysler.
Hyundai already has a link with Chrysler through the World Engine Programme, a three-way manufacturing alliance that joins the two groups with Japan’s Mitsubishi. The companies combined to develop a new range of four-cylinder engines.
Car-industry sources say the other possible bidders for Chrysler would be China’s Chery and SAIC, two automotive companies with global ambitions. SAIC has expanded rapidly in recent years, and two years ago made an abortive attempt to buy MG Rover. SAIC withdrew, but not before securing the rights to Rover designs. MG Rover later collapsed into administration.
Chery recently struck a collaboration deal with Chrysler under which it would make small cars to be sold in America through the Chrysler dealer network.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk:80/tol/business/article1400177.ece
Automakers Expand Plants in North America to Supply Demand
"Honda’s North American strategy includes expansion of U.S. engine, transmission and powertrain component production plants in Ohio and Georgia, with an additional investment of $125 million and additional employment of 80 workers, and the new assembly plant in Indiana, which will employ 2,000 workers and have an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles."
http://www.expansionmanagement.com/smo/newsviewer/default.asp?cmd=articledetail&articleid=18367&...
Wonder if they need hydraulics with those new transmissions?
Well, at least Honda has an IVT, but it would be nice if they converted to Torvec's. Of course, those IVT's have only been installed in motorcycles and ATV's so far.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-news/honda-dn-01.htm
Hope those Torvec patents are in good shape.
Soloman's patents were just denyed this week.
"Solomon Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:SOLM) announced today that its claim of patent infringement against Toyota Motor Corporation, and certain of its affiliates, has been denied by an Administrative Law Judge at the United States International Trade Commission (ITC). "
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=PZ&Date=20070214&ID=6482771&Sy...
More on the new transmission plants
"Ford, General Motors and supplier Delphi are preparing to shed more than 80,000 autoworkers between them through early retirement programs. Meanwhile, the automakers are investing in improved transmissions.
In Detroit, DaimlerChrysler and United Auto Workers leaders signed a memorandum of understanding dated Sept. 22 outlining a possible Kokomo transmission venture."
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070214/BUSINESS/70214036/1003
Seems like new transmissions are view as being part of a solution. Would be nice to see one of these OEM's announce that the new transmission plant would be made to produce Torvec's IVT.
Another new transmission plant.
This time it will be for DaimlerChrysler.
"The company also says it will soon begin the site selection process for a new transmission plant it will build in the U.S. as part of a newly signed deal with German-based supplier Getrag. Kokomo, Tipton, Peru, Frankfort and other U.S. sites are being considered for the new $560 million transmission plant, which could create up to 1,200 jobs. "
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6087251&nav=0Ra7
I wonder if they want Hydraulics with that transmission.
Eaton to Begin Production of its Medium-Duty Hybrid Electric System
"Eaton will begin full production this year of its hybrid electric drive system for medium-duty trucks. The Hybrid Electric System (HES), which was seven years in development, is currently deployed in 167 pre-production field units: 93 with FedEx, 50 with UPS, and 24 HTUF utility trucks.
The hybrid system uses a parallel, pre-transmission design. Primary components are the Hybrid Drive Unit (HDU), which combines a clutch, a 44 kW/420 Nm motor/generator and automatically controlled manual transmission; the motor inverter/controller; the DC/DC converter; and a 2 kWh li-ion battery pack."
Ok, now remove the automatically controlled manual transmission, replace it with a Torvec IVT and add a Torvec Iso-Torque differential along with some Torvec spherical gearing constant velocity joints and I think we would have something more exciting.
Then later on accessorize it with some rubber tracks, Ice technology, a track suspension system, numerous pumps and motors for the PTO equipment, and of course a track steering system for the full effect.
Done.
Go Torvec!
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/eaton_to_begin_.html
Postal Service is testing hybrids for their trucks
This article does not mention Iso-torques, however that would be the next natural thing to do for the hybrid. With Iso-torques installed, they might not need 4WD anymore. Also, when I watched the new Torvec video I thought the Iso-torque should be installed in all law enforcement vehicles to give the driver an additional advantage and additional safety.
Fleet owners that are testing hybrid trucks include the postal Service, which operates 142,000 vehicles, and the two biggest private fleets: UPS (91,000 vehicles) and FedEx (70,000). Companies that do lots of commercial deliveries, such as Coca-Cola, also are testing hybrids. So is the Defense Department.
That's because the size of the tax credit, which the Internal Revenue Service oversees, depends on how much fuel a hybrid truck saves, and the EPA hasn't come out with a system to measure the fuel savings.
I don't understand how the EPA cannot figure out how to measure the fuel savings. This should be fairly simple IMO.
Here is a link to the full article
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/business/16669402.htm
Go Torvec!!
Hybrids could turn big U.S. truck fleets green
In the case of hybrid garbage trucks, New York, Chicago, Houston and other big cities want them. Truck makers Peterbilt and Oshkosh are keen to build them. And the Environmental Protection Agency is promoting them as ideal platforms for hybrid technologies that work best on vehicles that stop and go a lot.
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/16654989.htm
Here is something a little more recent to read.
Hydraulics "Tucked in" can be a good thing
I was thinking about ACG at the shareholders meeting, and really ever since. I kept waiting to hear about their progress at the meeting and was hoping that someone would bring it up at the Q & A session. But, it wasn't and they didn't. I just hope that it was left out because there would not have been any real way of presenting their progress without letting too much "cat out of the bag". Well, I'm hoping that ACG is pursuing this path and that it will lead to more active discussions with the Tier one suppliers and make the OEM's more challenged to get moving or lose out.
When I think back on all the things that JG has mentioned as futuristic events that will unfold, he has an amazingly accurate vision. His recent statements, at the meeting hopefully will not be an exception. He was very much targeted in how he thinks things will go. He has been right so many times before.
Well, thinking back on how fast that the JGL deal went together, from the first public announcement to the closing. That deal all happened so fast. It was only a number of weeks in reality.
Maybe they will want hydraulics with that new transmission.
I can't believe that Ford is still focused on the six speed automatics. It looks to me like they are trying to get their investment back by producing lots of them.
We will have our eye on some smaller companies
"JLG and access equipment will become 40 percent of our corporate sales and a large percentage of our operating income," Bohn said. "For next year, I can tell you it's going to be larger than defense."
JLG was Oshkosh's largest acquisition, compared with 14 other smaller ones. It will take another couple of years to fully absorb the company, Bohn said.
"During that time, you won't see us making another large acquisition," he said. "We will have our eye on some smaller, tuck-in companies but nothing the size of JLG."
The combined companies have about 14,000 employees, up from 9,400 that Oshkosh had before acquiring JLG.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=562652
Good thing that Torvec would be a "small acquisition"
Think that being tucked in would be just fine.
The Oshkosh connection went something like this:
Just when we were expecting that the Torvec quiet period would end, there was an SEC filing by Torvec. The SEC filing introduced us to the ACG as a consultant to Torvec with an assignment to, among other things, Facilitate a Partnership with Torvec and JLG. “As an industry leader and the sole provider of boom extended fork lifts to the Military, JLG has an established reputation within the Department of Defense community. Thus, ACG will work with JLG in order to allow for a demonstration of the IVT and Iso- Torque Differential. Through this demonstration project, Torvec will be able to expand on the current contacts and reputation of JLG in the DOD industry by proving the capabilities IVT and Iso- torque differential.”
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetools/showFiling.go?name=TORVEC%20INC:%208-K,%20Sub-Doc%201&link=...
That was exciting on its own, but soon after that date, we discovered that there was already a plan in the works for JLG to be purchased by Oshkosh. That transaction did in fact occur soon after that date at a price in excess of three billion US dollars.
It seemed to me that since the JLG – Oshkosh transaction was known by people who were following these companies (and ACG was following these companies), that the real partnership that was desired by Torvec was one that would actually be between Torvec and Oshkosh.
So, it would be Torvec that was pursuing Oshkosh, not the other way around.
Oshkosh would be a logical company to be interested in Torvec, due to the fact that all of their specialty equipment that they manufacture could easily be benefited by all of Torvec’s eight technologies.
I had posted numerous thoughts on this topic and tried to get some sort of discussion going on this board without any avail. That is partially due to the fact that the old guard here wants to talk about their golf game, drinking desires, and plans to retire to Tor-acres (a fictional place).
Then one of the old guard noticed a question on the Oshkosh board by a poster there who asked about a rumor that he / she had heard that Oshkosh might be purchasing Torvec. That question by that poster, spurred the real interest. Interesting that interest here can’t be generated by an SEC filing, but can flourish by a question by a poster on a different message board even though the question was never answered at that board and the only response at that board was to scoff at the idea and let it die.
That would be fine if it fits the cartoon.
I was unable to see the cartoon on my computer screen. Somehow it was blocked and my system could not view it. Was hoping that the cartoon wasn't offensive, (there are children who monitor this board) sure that it wouldn't have been.
It seems to me that Ford will have to utilize a hydraulic transmission soon. There have been lots of rumors that one would be placed in the 2008 F-150. This plant won't be ready for that run; however there is always hope for a later model. Since Ford has been involved in the project since the beginning, and they have the ownership on the tech that they worked on together with the EPA, they should use hydraulics soon. Just hoping that the Torvec patents are all in good order, so that Ford can't find a way to work around them.
Didn't mean to try to get this board back on tract with a meaningful discussion, but some posters would find that refreshing. The recent bantering is exhausting to sort through when it only has to do with the old guard's personal problems. You mentioned that you wanted one of the posters to “go”. Question, can’t you just make that happen? Do you need permission? You have mine.
Is there a prize for your cartoon caption?
I can be very competitive, you know.
Ford's possible plans for the Sharonville plant include a $235 million expansion to manufacture a new truck transmission. Blanton said the automaker is looking at other sites, including Mexico, and that it will consider the issue at a board meeting this week.
Do you want hydraulics with that transmission?
Hope so.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/02/05/daily18.html
Anyone questioning the dilution of TOVC stock.....
That is because the authorization of 360 million new shares does not have a dilution effect on the existing shareholders. This is because when the shares are issued, the company will receive cash. For example, when the shares are traded for $5.00 per share, the company will receive $1.8 billion in cash for the 360 million shares. After the shares have been issued, and the cash has been received, the company will be worth 1.8 billion more and have 360 million more shares out standing. In a perfect world, the shares will still be worth $5.00 each both before and after the issue.
And, BTW, we are hoping for a 10 for 1 split, not a 1 for 10 split.
It was JLG, not JGL, Sorry for the typo
Dyno Check my old posts # 8652, 8671 & 9286 just for kicks.
Oshkosh & Torvec
Very interesting.
Glad to see that I'm not the only one that thinks there is a direct connection.
The connection that I saw was that the AGL group was hired to attempt to set up some sort of a partnership with Torvec and the JGL Group. There was an SEC filing explaining that. Then JGL was purchased by OSK soon after that for approx 3 Billion. So, it seemed to me that the partnership that Torvec really wanted is one between OSK and themselves. All of this was months ago.
Check some of my earlier posts.
http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_O/threadview?m=tm&bn=25432&tid=...
Nissan Race Team Results
http://www.tommyconstantine.com/index.html
Hal Prewitt qualified the #33 Playboy/Vonage/Palms Nissan 350Z in 35th position. David Murry brought the car across the finish line in 4th place in a field of 104 cars.
Mike Borkowski qualified the #35 Playboy/Vonage/Palms Nissan 350Z in 13th position out of a field of 104 cars. With Tommy Constantine behind the wheel, the car crashed in the last pracitce session before the race due to a total brake failure. The #35 Nissan 350Z was unable to compete in the 2007 Fresh from Florida 200 at Daytona.
Due to delays with parts suppliers the #33 and #35 Nissan 350Z GT cars were unable to be completed in time for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Playboy Racing would like to thank Synergy Racing, Tafel Racing, BBS Wheels, Prewitt Racing and most importantly the Playboy Racing Crew for facilitating the running of this car on such short order. David Murry quailified the #35 Playboy/Vonage/Palms Porsche 997 GT3 Cup in 26th position. The car finished the 24 hour race in 9th position scoring Playboy Racing's first top 10 finish in the GT class of Rolex competition.
Looks like the team did very well. Sure would be good to know if they are running with the Torvec's Iso-Torque Differentials installed.
Wonder who the suppliers were that were unable to assist with getting the Nissan 350Z's ready for the Rolex 24 at Daytona?
Ford, EPA To Cooperate On Hydraulic Hybrid Technology
"Though the Treasury would help pay the bill, Ford would have exclusive rights to the technology and hopes to put a pilot fleet of vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. The technology could improve significantly the fuel economy of light-duty trucks and sport-utility vehicles, the EPA said."
I know that this information is really really old; however, I am still wondering what exactly it might mean to "have exclusive rights to the technology". If they have the rights to the technology, how does that affect the fact that they don't have the rights to Torvec's patents? It seems to me that the holder of these exclusive rights might need Torvec's technology to make the rights worthwhile.
It seems that this technology is installed in the UPS Hydraulic Hybrids that are being tested. It was refreshing to hear at Torvec's annual meeting that Torvec was willing to challenge persons who were assuming that Torvec's technology is not in the UPS Hydraulic Hybrid test vehicles. I think that was one of the highlights of the entire meeting. As you may know, I have always been in belief that there is a high probability that this is the case.
Well, if Ford holds the exclusive rights to the technology, then this technology of Ford's is also in the UPS Hydraulic Hybrid test vehicles.
Maybe, just maybe, this is one of the reasons that they will be removing CVT's from their products.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0UDO/is_3_15/ai_79379345
Alternatives to Hybrid cars (Courtesy of:Asian_daily)
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
"One of the latest innovations in this field is a hydraulic hybrid car. These are not too dissimilar in their basic principle to standard hybrid cars. The main difference is that they use a hydraulic accumulator to store energy via nitrogen gas, which is then compressed by a hydrogen motor and is used to power the vehicle through a hydraulic drive train, which also replaces a standard transmission. These two vital differences not only make it extremely efficient but also cheaper to produce than normal hybrid cars."
http://452-engines.blogspot.com/2007/01/alternatives-to-hybrid-cars.html
The rest of this article is really interesting too.
Wonder if they are talking about Torvec?
Maybe they are even if they may not realize it just yet.
Good to see this discussion in the Asian Daily.
OEM's say: "no more CVT transmission"
"Basically the Freestyle gets the same changes that its mechanical twin, the 2008 Five Hundred sedan, got with its debut in January at the Detroit auto show. This means the addition of the corporate grille as seen on the Fusion mid-size sedan and the Edge SUV, a new 3.5-liter V-6, and no more CVT transmission."
http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshows/12434/2008-ford-freestyle.html
I've been noticing a movement away from the CVT's by OEM's. This article describes a recent example. It seems to me that the CVT's are not performing in the manner expected. I've been thinking that this step (moving away from the CVT's) is necessary to have the OEM's come to the conclusion that Torvec's IVT is the real solution. In Ford's case, it seems that the move to the 6 speed automatic is just a temporary solution and provides a manner of getting back some of the major investment in that particular technology.
I don't think that there were any problems.
I think that they wanted different features.
I think that they wanted a variable transmission, one that could be controlled by an on board astronaut.
The new technology being developed by Torvec offers those additional features.
The only point that I was trying to make is that the path that this other company was on seems very similar to Torvec's path as it relates to the NASA, and they are into the 12th year of that path, while Torvec is in the 1st year of that path.
NASA brings creditability to the technology.
This is true. I agree.
However, Torvec has eight technologies.
The board of directors’s has mentioned them specifically.
They even have a commercialization plan for each of them.
And, I didn't see any of those eight technologies on the demonstration table at the annual meeting.
So, the creditability was reserved for the inventors, who have possibly invented a ninth technology.
There was no Hydraulics on the table, no CV joints, no suspension systems, no ice tech, no rubber tracks, no pumps, and none of the other eight techs...
I did see some motors; however, they were electric and ran on DC power.
So, the creditability goes to the inventors, not the original existing techs.
All the existing tech did was to attract NASA and get their attention. Hopefully, they (NASA) have some ideas about the possible use of the existing techs.
NASA's Sojourner Mars rover -vs- Lunar Moon Rover
"From Mars to cars by sea
NASA used a simplified version of the Electric Wheel in the Sojourner Mars rover and has supported its development since 1994 through its Mid-Atlantic Technology Center in Pittsburgh. "The Electric Wheel," said former NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin "has application to everything that moves." NASA approached Solomon Technologies first to offer help after learning about the Electric Wheel through a patent search. After considering the full Electric Wheel for the Sojourner Mars rover, NASA adapted Solomon Technologies' revolutionary technology to the rover's limited speed and light weight requirements. The result was a single motor version with planetary gear set in each wheel to power the rover. In return for the rights to use the patented technology in the rover and other space vehicles, NASA set up an Electric Wheel Working Group with engineers from universities, government research centers and private industry. With the Working Group's help, Solomon Technologies has been able to test and refine the system and establish cost-effective manufacturing procedures."
That was started 12 plus years ago.
Is this the way that we are going?
http://www.solomontechnologies.com/wheel.htm
The reason stated by Torvec's Board of Directors was:
"The board believes that events may materialize and circumstances may dictate that it would be in the best interest of the company’s shareholders for the board to declare one or more common stock dividends or common stock-splits. In addition, the board anticipates that upon the happening of a commercializing event, the company will list its common stock on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ. Upon such listing, the company will need a significant number of additional common shares in order to create greater liquidity and attract institutional investors."
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetools/showFiling.go?name=TORVEC%20INC:%208-K,%20Sub-Doc%201&link=...
If that were the case, then.....
Especially with all this other stuff going on, Jim should have taken the rights back for Torvec and said thanks. Too bad Mr. Horton didn't sit still through the entire meeting. Seems like there are things that need to be worked out. It seems to me that there can be many workable solutions to do that quickly.
And, I'm not disagreeing with you, Dread; I heard it and saw it exactly in the way that you described.
Mr. Horton made a comment at the meeting… that went something like this:
He said that it was difficult for him to proceed successfully with Variable Gear due to the fact that Torvec failed to supply him with the inventions in their finished form so that he could use them for his business plan. His plan was to commercialize these inventions in the marine and aircraft applications. Jim spoke at another time that night on another related topic of a different person's question. He said that Torvec could not afford to have an unlimited number of prototypes out there for everyone. I took that to mean that the company (Torvec) couldn't afford to do Mr. Horton's prototypes either. After all, it was Mr. Horton's business plan, not Torvec's.
Well, in any event, Mr. Horton’s share of Variable Gear has to be purchased back (under contract) at Fair Market Value. The value will have to be determined. It seems that the other activity that Torvec now has could make Mr. Horton's share of Variable Gear’s value be higher by association, not by his actual work. Timing is everything, right?
This matter isn't really related at all to the CXO deal, unless the CXO contract is somehow still valid, and this changes the value of the company, and it happens prior to the July 1, 2008 date that is mentioned in the 06/30/2004 CXO-Torvec agreement. For this reason, it would be good to have that legal work finished.
Yes, if the company is sold prior to 01/01/08, the Horton agreement will be part of the valuation and part of the mix. Essentially, the buyer would have to honor the agreement to purchase it in the same manner that Torvec now has to do that. It would be good to have that worked out and to get that out of the subject matter of the negotiations with the actual buyer.
I have always thought that Variable Gear and Torvec would agree to take the ownership back for zero dollars, just like nothing ever happened. In fact if that were the case, history would have shown that nothing really happened on this from start to finish. However, Torvec must have felt some indebtedness to Mr. Horton for his earlier involvement and that deal was their joint agreed upon way of compensating him for his work. So now that nothing became of it, I wonder if they will revisit that and try again to compensate him all over again in a new way.
There are some other things to remember.
1) On January 1, 2008, the Company is required to purchase the 51% membership interest it does not own in Variable Gear LLC at the then fair market value as defined. The Company does not share in any profit or losses in this entity.
2)In the event of a sale or other transaction that transfers all or any part of the business of the client and/or the Assets during the Initial Term, during any Additional Term or within two years after the last Additional Term, directly or indirectly by any means, including without limitation, sale of shares, merger, sale of Assets, development contract (with or without an option to purchase), licensing agreement, production agreement or otherwise (a "Commercializing Event"), then Client shall pay a fee equal to Eight Percent (8%) of the total consideration for such transaction.
The first one was discussed some in the Q&A portion of this year's meeting. At a point in time that was after Dread's battery ran out of juice. It was made clear, at the meeting, that they had not agreed yet upon a price.
The second point, hopefully, may be no longer valid. This is part of the Appeal case with the prior management team that was to be paid for a commercialization event. The Judge’s decision has not been made public; however, this portion of the agreement may not even have been part of the appeal. The initial ruling may have terminated this portion of the agreement earlier. This is hard to follow with only part of the information. Well, in any event, if it is valid, it would expire, IMO, on July 01, 2008. This would be the day after the initial 2 year agreement that started on June 30, 2004, and also after the 2 year follow up period of time. Also, there are other sections of that agreement that have greater costs than this simple 8% amount.
Here is a good place to read that old agreement over for yourself.
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetools/showFiling.go?name=TORVEC%20INC:%2010QSB/A,%20Sub-Doc%201&l...
Just do a search of that doc to find the right spot.
Search for the letters "CXO" or "Exhibit 10.26".
Don't think you missed anything
even though you were working from Dread’s notes.
Dread's notes were very much right on.
Too bad his battery ran out.
Dread did a great job and it was good to finally meet him.
Wish you were there too.
I was just thinking.....
ArvinMeritor is a tier one supplier.
and, "ArvinMeritor to Develop First Dual-Mode Heavy-Duty Diesel-Electric Drivetrain for Wal-Mart Transportation"
Seems like Electric is not the way to go.
Maybe, just maybe, they will decide that a Hydraulic IVT will work better.
http://www.arvinmeritor.com/media_room/render_news.asp?message_id=000000001A447390AA6611CD9BC800AA00...
#33 & #35 Nissan 350Z's are Racing today
Daytona Int'l Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida January 26, 2007
3 Hours of Racing starting at 2:15 PM today
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Event.asp?ID=191
There is live scoring and timing at this link
Hybrid Truck Could Replace Heavy Tactical Vehicles
The company (Oshkosh) has been working on its electric drive train, called Propulse, ever since the Army asked for a proof-of-concept vehicle eight or nine years ago, Salas said.
In place of a standard drive train, the truck’s diesel engine drives a generator, which powers an electric motor on each of the eight wheels.
The lack of a drive train means the cargo bed is lower.
The current batch of A3s are being built for military ruggedness and a 20-year life expectancy.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2495200&C=america
Maybe Torvec can modify the hydraulic pumps and motors that it has so that one can be placed at each wheel for a vehicle like this one. Looks like the Military in interested in lowering the cargo bed and removing the drive train.
Of course, that might be one of the things that they are working on and have been quite about.
High performance oils aid transmission development
While we are waiting, this might provide some insight to the answers to questions that were asked on this board in the last few days.
http://smashdcrepez.blogspot.com/2007/01/high-performance-oils-aid-transmission.html
Too bad that we have to wait so long to hear the Torvec news. (There will be news, right?)
Looks to me that the oil is at least as important (maybe more important) than the mechanical part of the invention.
Shanghai Automotive 3 bln yuan R&D expansion
01.14.07, 5:31 AM ET
(1 usd = 7.80 yuan) (3 bln yuan = 385 million uds)
It will inject 868 mln yuan into Shanghai General Motors, a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors Corp and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group) (SAIC) to boost production capacity and competitiveness.
The company will invest 142.25 mln yuan in Shanghai GM Dongyue Power Co Ltd, another joint venture with GM for producing the third-generation engines.
It will inject 39.69 mln yuan into unit ZF Transmissions Shanghai Co Ltd for the unit to buy German company ZF's transmission equipment.
Shanghai Auto will also establish a subsidiary in the UK, SAIC Motor UK Holding Co Ltd, with capital of 5 mln stg, which will become its main platform for European operations.
http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/01/14/afx3327383.html
Looks like this company might be the topic of the conversation on the NBC special tomorrow night (Monday)
Wonder when they will pick up some of the Torvec technology?
ArvinMeritor, Wal-Mart to make diesel-electric drivetrain
ArvinMeritor and Wal-Mart Transportation announced an agreement Jan. 10 to jointly develop a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor.
Wal-Mart had announced earlier that in the next 10 years, it intends to double the fuel efficiency of its fleet of heavy-duty trucks.
ArvinMeritor will provide the tandem axle, regenerative braking system, air disc brakes and advanced ABS with integrated stability control and driver assistance systems (from Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems), software, electronic controls, transfer case, motors and the battery power from a third party.
http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=57574
To bad that Wal-mart is not going to use Torvec's IVT. This would have been a great opportunity.
YOU’VE GOT’EM ALL STIRRED UP ACCROSS THE POND
http://www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail/?display=discussion&code=cotn%3ATRK.L&thread=3424445&...
Appeals of Monroe County Supreme Court judgment/orders
The court date is January 10, 2007
Does anyone have any thoughts on the anticipated outcome of this day in court?
There are three prior orders/judgments that will be heard.
The details are outlined in this link:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=15786032
It seems to me that Torvec’s success on this issue will terminate the compensation to CXO for the commercialization events outlined in the June 30, 2004 contract.
If this contract is successfully terminated, then the October 13, 2006 commercialization event compensation package will be the only active one.
Of course if it isn't terminated, then, could it be that the company might have to pay contracted compensation for two commercialization event contracts simultaneously?
One for the June 30, 2004 agreement with CXO, and then,
One for the October 13, 2006 agreement with the current directors, executives and certain administrative personnel.
Will we hear about the results of this day in court prior to the annual meeting?
Will this day in court be the end of the court room activity for these issues?
Boppy, maybe you could comment on these questions.
Let's not forget about...
The fact that Torvec has developed a modified version of its IVT so that it can function in NASA's Lunar Rover.
That was developed to meet the stringent packaging and control requirements dictated by NASA.
That would make a forth size that we have heard about.
A very important sized one at that.
I would suspect that there are other sizes that we have not heard about.
John Deere IVT informational Video Link
As long as we are watching videos of the competition, here is the video from John Deere that shows how the IVT that they have works in a farm tractor.
The IVT from Torvec would be programmed to accomplish different functions, but, as you can see from this video, the variety of desired results and efficiencies can be computer programmed into the mechanics.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/video/20020829-IVT/20020829-ivt-000-QTCable.html
Copper Motor Rotors Boost Performance of Army Trucks
January 04, 2007 10:26 AM Eastern Time
Called ProPulse® by Oshkosh Truck Corporation, the innovative hybrid electric drive system is said to decrease emissions and increase fuel economy by as much as 40 percent. Aside from several configurations for the military’s 8x8 HEMTT-A3 (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck) series, the drive system is also configured for commercial use with refuse vehicles. Oshkosh says the new drives will lower life-cycle costs as well as lower interior and exterior noise profiles.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070104005...
Just a thought....
Maybe American Continental Group, who are consultants for Torvec, could mention to their friends at JLG, as long as they are working on Facilitating a Partnership with Torvec and JLG, and since JLG has since been purchased by Oshkosh Truck Corporation, and Oshkosh Truck Corporation is developing a new drive system for the military, that Torvec has a better mousetrap that would solve the problem at hand.
Hey Tor, better get your infinitely variable hybrid dot connector out.... I think I see some dots....