At 90, engineer wins 17th patent for gear system 

At 90, K.U. Varunny secures 17th patent, revolutionizing automotive industry with innovative transmission system.

Age has once again bowed in defeat before K.U. Varunny. At 90, the mechanical engineer has secured his 17th patent (No. 552032), further cementing his legacy of innovation. With each new achievement, Mr. Varunny proves that neither time nor age can hinder the pursuit of brilliance.

His latest breakthrough, the ‘Infinitely Variable Automatic Transmission System,’ promises the automotive industry seamless acceleration, high gear ratio, and zero power loss. With 15 Indian patents and two American patents to his name, Mr. Varunny holds the record for the most patents in the Indian automobile sector.

The present invention describes a simple gear system by connecting two differential gear units in a particular manner. His new system replaces the “step-by-step” acceleration of traditional automatic gear systems, offering continuous, smooth acceleration and eliminating the risk of engine overload. The special feature of the system is high fuel efficiency and minimum air pollution, with no loss of energy. Additionally, it allows for very low starting speeds, making it particularly useful for heavy machinery, such as earth-moving equipment, which requires a high gear ratio to start before gradually increasing speed, explains Mr. Varunny.

Mr. Varunny smiles as he recalls the start of his journey. “I failed in my engineering examination in the first attempt, but that failure shaped who I am today.”

While studying at the University of Madras, his father bought a car — a luxury back then. Mr. Varunny thought he had become rich and could quit engineering. He even dabbled in film music, landing a trial at Gemini Studios and becoming an instant sensation in college. But his father insisted that he finish his studies.

Then came the setback: Mr. Varunny failed his exams, the only student in his class to do so. His professor, Venkitachalam, who was retiring that year, was heartbroken. “I dreamed everyone would pass in my last year — you ruined that,” he lamented.

That was a turning point. Mr. Varunny bounced back, acing his next exam with 85%. Ten years later, already a National awardee, he visited his old professor, who was proud of his success. Mr. Varunny won the National Research Development Corporation Awards twice in 1972 and 1990.