Hydraulic Hybrid

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Parker Hannifin Commercializing Series Hydraulic Hybrid System for Delivery Vehicles; Initial 20 Unit Order from Freightliner Custom Chassis

October 18, 2009

The FCCC hydraulic hybrid chassis. Source: FCCC.Click to enlarge.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC), a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America, has made an initial 20 unit commercial commitment for a series hydraulic drive system from Parker Hannifin. (Earlier post, earlier post.) The commitment came as part of a grant under the United States Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program and was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) spearheaded the submittal of these winning applications which will support the purchase of 638 hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Parker is the only supplier of the hydraulic hybrid systems for the vehicles. The series hydraulic hybrid systems will be incorporated into delivery vehicle models, based on the FCCC MT-55 chassis, intended for use by United Parcel Service (UPS).

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Michigan Energy and Advanced Automotive Research Lined Up for $99.5M in Funding from FY2010 Defense Appropriations Bill

September 21, 2009

The Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2010, passed earlier this month by the US Senate Appropriations Committee and now under consideration by the full Senate, contains US$14.4 billion in funding for Michigan firms, the majority of which—$12.4 billion—is allocated for vehicle and weapons procurement, according to Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

Of the total, $99.5 million is designated for energy research and development ($75 million), with a heavy emphasis on lithium-ion battery technology; and advanced automotive systems development ($24.5 million), including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and hydraulic hybrids.

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Hydraulic Hybrid Systems and EMI Partner to Target Fleet Retrofit Market; First Retrofit Underway

September 12, 2009

HHS upfit system. Click to enlarge.

Hydraulic Hybrid Systems, LLC (HHS), a recently-formed subsidiary of Lightning Hybrids Inc. (earlier post), is partnering with Equipment Maintenance Innovators (EMI-Global) to distribute HHS hydraulic hybrid retrofit systems for light- and medium-duty commercial fleet vehicles.

HHS’s upfit solution is a high-efficiency, light-weight parallel hydraulic hybrid propulsion system inserted within the driveline of a vehicle. This system is designed and engineered to be installed in fourteen hours, including all controls and wiring harness, by a certified installer. HHS says that its system is expected to deliver at least a 40% improvement in fuel economy made possible through regenerating braking energy that is then used during acceleration.

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NYC Testing Rexroth Hydraulic Hybrid Technology in Refuse Trucks

May 29, 2009

The hydraulic hybrid refuse truck. Click to enlarge.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has launched field tests of Bosch Rexroth’s Hydrostatic Regenerative Braking (HRB) parallel hydraulic hybrid system to assess HRB’s viability for use as an alternative drive system for the department’s refuse trucks.

Bosch Rexroth says that for refuse collection vehicles with high start-stop frequencies, fuel savings of up to 25% are possible with the hydraulic hybrid system. The field evaluations are designed to authenticate both the technical and economic benefits of the HRB system, and provide real-world operating data DSNY will use to consider large-scale deployment of the technology within the city’s in-service and new vehicle fleets.

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FEV Showcased Partner and Internal Advanced Hybrid Development Projects at SAE World Congress; Demonstrations of Capability

April 24, 2009

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped by the FEV booth to see the H3 ReEV after his remarks at the SAE 2009 World Congress opening ceremony. Click to enlarge.

At SAE 2009 World Congress, FEV showcased two advanced hybrid development projects it undertook with partners—the range-extended electric vehicle (ReEV) HUMMER H3 done in cooperation with Raser and a heavy-duty series hydraulic hybrid yard hostler done in partnership with EPA—as well as two internal hybrid development projects: a Dodge Caliber-based range-extended electric vehicle, and a small Wankel-based 18 kWe APU that could, for example, also be used as the genset in the Caliber.

FEV, a powertrain and engineering company, works closely with OEMs on a variety of projects—many of which it has to keep confidential. That can make it a bit tough to drum up new business, said David Gian, FEV Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integration “when your prospective customer asks ‘What have you done?’ and you have to say ‘I can’t tell you.’” With its ongoing push to be fully capable in transmission and driveline design, development, and testing, FEV decided to produce a couple of demonstrations of capability (the Caliber and the Wankel APU) that prospects could see and drive.

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Innas and NOAX to Show Hydraulic Series Hybrid Drivetrain at Hannover Messe

March 31, 2009

The Hydrid drivetrain. Click to enlarge.

At the Hannover Messe, 20-24 April, Innas BV and NOAX BV will introduce the latest design of the Innas hydraulic transformer (IHT) and the “Hydrid”, a hydraulic series hybrid drive train for passenger cars and off-road equipment. With this new design, the fuel consumption of a vehicle can be more than halved, with a corresponding reduction in CO₂ emissions of 50%, without compromise on weight, size, traction or top speed, according to the companies.

In a Hydrid, the complete mechanical drive train of a car is replaced by a full hydrostatic transmission, allowing energy recuperation and more efficient operation of the engine operation. The backbone of the Hydrid is the hydraulic common pressure rail (CPR) system, which collects and distributes the power inside the vehicle. The accumulators determine the pressure levels in the system. On the high pressure side, the pressure varies between 200 and 400 bar (20 to 40 MPa).

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Lightning Hybrids to Introduce Hydraulic Hybrid Sports Sedan at Denver Auto Show

March 09, 2009

Rendering of the LH4. Click to enlarge.

Colorado start-up Lightning Hybrids will unveil the prototype of its hydraulic hybrid four-seat sports sedan at the Denver Auto Show 1-5 April. This will also mark the public debut for the hydraulic hybrid drivetrain.

The car, the LH4, features a 240 hp (179 kW) drivetrain consisting of a 90 hp (67 kW) proprietary 2-stroke biodiesel and 150 hp (112 kW) hydraulic system. The car will average 100 miles to the gallon and will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds. It has a unique clamshell door that opens upward to allow for superior aerodynamics. C_d on the car is 0.20.

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Waste Management Field Testing Peterbilt Hydraulic Hybrid Waste Collection Trucks

November 14, 2008

Components of the Eaton heavy-duty hydraulic launch assist (HLA) system. Click to enlarge.

Waste Management, Inc., North America’s largest waste management company, is field-testing parallel hydraulic hybrid waste collection trucks. Four parallel hydraulic hybrid-diesel collection trucks have been incorporated into Waste Management’s fleet and are being tested in Fort Worth to study and optimize the hybrid system’s efficiency and reliability.

The four Peterbilt 320 vehicles in Fort Worth use the Eaton Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA system). The HLA system can capture and store up to 75% of the energy normally lost as heat by the vehicle’s brakes in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid. (Earlier post.)

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EPA to Award Up to $1.35M to Projects to Advance Hydraulic Hybrid, Engine and Fuel Technology

November 06, 2008

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible entities to collaborate with EPA in a set of hybrid technology pilot projects that can span the optimization of Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicle (HHV) technology (including plug-in electric-hydraulic hybrids); unique clean and efficient engines for full-series hybrid vehicles; and clean lower greenhouse gas transportation fuels.

The EPA expects to select 5 programs. Estimated total program funding is $1,350,000, with an award ceiling of $450,000. The EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) has identified the following as high priority specific technology projects:

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UPS to Purchase 7 Hydraulic Series Hybrid Vans; Prototype Showed 45-50% Improvement in Fuel Economy

October 27, 2008

The hydraulic system provides a high power-density energy storage option. Click to enlarge. Source: EPA

After two years of road-testing of a prototype, UPS has placed its first order for hydraulic diesel series hybrid delivery vehicles (HHV), becoming the first in its industry to do so.

Disclosing the results of its road testing on Detroit routes for the first time, UPS and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the prototype vehicle had achieved a 45-50% improvement in fuel economy compared to conventional diesel delivery trucks. UPS believes similar fuel economy improvements and a 30% reduction in CO₂ are achievable in daily, real-world use.

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