Hydraulic Hybrid

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Bosch offers more details on the light-duty hydraulic-hybrid drive developed with PSA

March 05, 2013

The concept and layout of the hydraulic hybrid system. Click to enlarge.

Bosch, in collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën, is developing a hydraulic full-hybrid powertrain to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions in light-duty vehicles. (Earlier post.) PSA is applying the technology in “Hybrid Air” vehicles from both Citroën and Peugeot (earlier post, earlier post), showcased at the Geneva Motor Show.

The hydraulic hybrid is system is designed to enable a boost effect that would normally be offered only by more complex electric drives. A conventional internal-combustion engine combines with hydraulic units and an accompanying gas (e.g., nitrogen) pressure accumulator and a reservoir to provide a brief boost to acceleration. Like electric hybrids, the hydraulic hybrid system is able to support gasoline and diesel engines in ranges where they do not work at optimum efficiency.

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Peugeot to show 2008 HYbrid Air at Geneva show; more detail on operation

February 18, 2013

Peugeot 2008 HYbrid Air. The energy tank can be seen in the central tunnel, and the low-pressure tank at the rear. Click to enlarge.

Like its group partner Citroën (earlier post), Peugeot will display an application of the new Hybrid Air technology (earlier post)—the 2008 HYbrid Air—at the upcoming Geneva show.

The new hybrid combines a 3-cylinder gasoline engine with a compressed air/hydraulic motor/pump system comprising an energy tank containing pressurized air installed under the body in the central tunnel; a low-pressure tank at the rear suspension cross member acting as an expansion bottle; and a hydraulic unit consisting of a motor and a pump installed under the hood on the transmission.

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PSA Peugeot Citroën and Bosch developing hydraulic hybrid powertrain for passenger cars; 30% reduction in fuel consumption in NEDC, up to 45% urban; B-segment application in 2016

January 22, 2013

Elements of the “Hybrid Air” hydraulic hybrid powertrain under development for B, C, and D vehicles. Click to enlarge.

Following the introduction of the Bosch electric axle-split hybrid in PSA Peugeot Citroën diesel vehicles (earlier post), the two companies are now planning to develop a hydraulic hybrid powertrain for passenger cars. The hydraulic system, which uses compressed air for energy storage, basically comprises two hydraulic units and their pressure accumulators. PSA says the technology—called “Hybrid Air”—will be fitted on B-segment models starting in 2016.

The hydraulic components (motor and pump) recover and store the energy generated by the internal combustion engine and by braking and deceleration (kinetic energy); kinetic energy from braking that would otherwise be lost as heat is converted into hydraulic energy and stored in a pressure accumulator. This energy can then be used to drive the car.

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Demonstration series hydraulic hybrid transit bus yields fuel economy of 6.9 mpg, 110% better than conventional diesel, 30% better than electric hybrids

September 16, 2012

The series hydraulic transit bus. Click to enlarge.

The BUSolutions demonstrator LCO-140H (Low Cost of Ownership–1^st 40-foot Hybrid) series hydraulic hybrid transit bus yields fuel economy of 6.9 mpg (34 l/100km) on the industry-standard ADB duty cycle—110% better than conventional diesel buses on the road today and 30% better than the best-in-class electric hybrid buses available today, according to the final report on the project published by the US Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

More importantly, according to the report written by a team from Altair ProductDesign, which led the project, such a bus will cost more than 20% less than a conventional diesel bus to own and operate over its life and more than 30% less than an electric hybrid.

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Artemis, Ricardo and Bombardier collaborating on rail brake energy recovery project; Digital Displacement hydraulic pump-motor and flywheel energy storage

May 10, 2012

Artemis Intelligent Power, Ricardo and Bombardier Transportation are collaborating on a research and development project on rail brake energy recovery scheduled to commence in the second half of this year.

The system under investigation combines the Artemis Digital Displacement hydraulic pump-motor system (earlier post) and Ricardo’s Kinergy flywheel high energy density storage system (earlier post) and is intended for use on diesel-powered multiple units. The combined system is expected to offer operating fuel savings of between 10 and 20%, and is conceived of as a cost-effective solution that could be retrofitted to existing rolling stock as well as incorporated into new rail vehicles.

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