Company: The Epilogics Group

President and CEO: Wayne K. Higashi
Telephone: (408) 379-5200 x201

Founded: 1988

Mission:

Epilogics develops compelling applications of proprietary technologies, patents the technologies, then licenses the know-how (primarily to the automotive industry).

Products/Technologies:

The Kühl Wheel is lighter than conventional steel wheels and offers versatile styling in a robust design.

The Mechanical Diode one-way clutch (MD) offers much greater load capacity in a smaller package size and lighter weight than existing devices.

The Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) is fully-geared and provides higher torque capacity than conventional traction-based continuously variable transmissions. The IVT is not currently in development.

Milestones:

May 1999: Licensed Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc., the world's largest wheel company, to a Kühl Wheels license.

February 1999: Introduced a low-cost, stamped Kühl Wheel at the 1999 SAE Congress.

May 1998: Validated the Kühl Wheels concept on a Lincoln Town Car application.

June 1997: Formed Kühl Wheels, LLC to commercialize a lightweight steel wheel.

June 1997: Ford begins production of transmissions featuring the MD.

1994 to 1997: Licensed the MD to Case Corporation for off-road vehicles, Fuji Univance for automotive transmissions, NOK Corporation for automotive torque converters.

August 1993: Licensed the MD for North American OEM automotive applications to Brenco Incorporated (later assigned to Means Industries, Inc. and expanded worldwide).

October 1992: Licensed the IVT technology to Eaton Corporation, the leading North American manufacturer of heavy duty truck transmissions.

June 1989: Successfully demonstrated the IVT in a Class VII diesel truck.

"The Mechanical Diode" and "Kühl Wheel" are registered trademarks.