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Diff with a difference?
Page 32
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• A new type of controlled-Slip differential known as the B-T (balanced-traction} unit will, in due course, be produced in capacities suitable for all types of commercial vehicle by Mecotron Europe (Malta) Ltd., 150 St. Lucia Street, Valletta. This was announced last week following a demonstration of a Fiat 1500 saloon, equipped with the differential, at Brands Hatch racing circuit.
The differential was invented by Mr. Mario Casa Massa, an American engineer of Italian origin, but when Mr. Massa was replying to questions he was debarred from giving any information regarding the operation of the system. He had been instructed by his patent agent not to publicize the principle. Details will, it was said, be available in two or three weeks.
Mr. Massa made wide-reaching claims for the unit. He stated that its use extended the life of the engine by up to 30 per cent and gave a fuel saving of up to 10 per cent, in addition to affording an outstanding improvement in vehicle handling on dry roads as well as wet or icy surfaces.
Driven by an Italian racing driver, the Fiat 1500 went round the corners of the dry circuit with obvious ease, but the demonstration did not prove anything. According to a statement by Mr. Massa, however, a number of leading UK vehicle manufacturers will be testing prototypes of the differential, and Italian manufacturers are "very interested".
"The differential", said Mr. Massa, "is a true free differential with no locking, wedging, friction or braking devices, and it distributes simultaneously to both driven wheels all the power exerted at the ring gear, whether on a straight road, turn or curve, always giving the major part of the power to the wheel with the greater traction, while at the same time giving the exact balance to the other wheel; in this way it completely eliminates skidding and swerving on any road surface."
P.A.C.B.