Gates Introduces New Systems Line for Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Reduction
25 August 2006
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| The Gates Electro-Mechanical Drive (EMD) stop/start system. |
Gates Corporation, a provider of belts, hoses hydraulics and related products for the auto industry, has introduced the first systems in its new Energy Saving product line targeted at both heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles.
The new line includes a stop/start system, a two-speed drive system for passenger subsystems, and an idle-reduction system for heavy-duty trucks.
The Gates Electro-Mechanical Drive (EMD) starter-generator belt drive systems allow the engine to stop when the vehicle is stationary, then restarts the engine almost instantaneously. EMD spins the engine to a very high cranking speed enabling a rapid, silent and fuel-efficient start.
Both emissions and fuel consumption are reduced with the EMD stop/start operating strategy. Independent studies have shown fuel savings of 6-10%, depending on the application, and even more than 20% savings in urban traffic.
The EMD system offers the potential to recover braking energy and to use stored electricity to boost acceleration. The system can schedule the generation of electric energy to times when it is cheap to produce, i.e. usually events of vehicle deceleration when no fuel is injected and the engine brakes the vehicle.
EMD is applicable with either 14 or 42 volt systems. The EMD system will be used in the 2007 Saturn Vue and 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, according to Gates.
The Gates E3 Drive is a two-speed drive system that allows accessories such as the air conditioning compressor and alternator to operate at idling speed, where fuel is used most efficiently by these accessories, while the engine still operates at drive speed.
The driver will not notice a difference in the vehicle operation but will see their fuel consumption reduced by 5% or more, according to Gates. The system is compatible with other fuel consumption reduction technologies and Gates is working with truck and auto manufacturers to implement the E3 Drive. It is also a simple aftermarket solution.
The CabRunner Integrated Power System reduces fuel use and emissions by eliminating the need for semi-truck drivers to idle their engine while sleeping during a long-haul trip in order to power cab accessories such as air conditioning, heat and lights. The CabRunner IPS powers all the truck’s accessories when the truck engine is not running.
CabRunner IPS consists of a small, two-cylinder diesel, a reconfigured Accessory Belt Drive System (ABDS) and a pulley system design that allows either the CabRunner IPS or the truck engine to operate the ABDS. On the highway, the truck engine is in control. In the parking lot, the CabRunner IPS diesel takes over.
The CabRunner can reduce idling fuel consumption by 60% and greatly reduce the idling emissions.
Gates also highlighted other technologies and products to meet new fuels and emissions standards, such as Gates Hybrid Hydraulic technology and Gates diesel hose product line.
We recognize the importance of energy consumption reduction and are looking to do our part to help. We plan to continue developing energy saving and pollution reduction technologies for today’s vehicle designs and equipment so they can be deployed now.
—Marco Moran, President, Gates Worldwide Power Transmission Division
I know OEMs are where the money is at but I wish one of these manufacturers would offer an aftermarket solution for idle stop/start. All you would need is an interface to the TPS, speed sensor, CHT sensor, and then either the clutch switch or brake switch (the OEM units used to prevent starting with the clutch engaged or to light up the brake lights). Interface with 4 wires, calibrate for zero throttle opening voltage, wide open throttle voltage, and normal operating temps CHT voltage (or have data input directly into the unit if known already) and you should be good to go.
Posted by: Patrick | 25 August 2006 at 04:12 PM
Seems to me that it would be tough to retrofit for idle-stop, since accessory drives (e.g. AC) would not run.
Posted by: Nick | 25 August 2006 at 06:35 PM
I'm with you Patrick, wishing for an aftermarket system. Many of us know of Sigma Automotive's aftermarket bolt-on "hybrid-kit." As of July 17th this year, it's pushed off another year and a half. Always pushed off because of difficulties. It wasn't start/stop though. Maybe someone like yourself (I'm not being sarcastic) could wrig something up on an old beater car: you seem to know a thing or two about it! I don't know enough, unfortunatly. But I do think it would be trickier than we might anticipate to implement something that's not mickey mouse and lasts for years.
Posted by: John W. | 25 August 2006 at 08:00 PM
Why don't they just outfit truck stops with 110V outlets, so they can plug into the grid?
Posted by: Alan | 26 August 2006 at 03:20 AM
Yeah, a micro hybrid system would be the cheapest. It would also give the biggest bang for the buck, especially for those who spend alot of time behind stoplights during long runs through the hills. If applied to Tier 2 Bin 5 diesels, it may provide for a clean alternative to those noisy and dirty diesel electric generators. Contractors would love that. So would people who want to be self sufficient, or just want ot hedge against a blackout/power loss (hurricane, heat wave, hail producing storm, hallucinating driver hitting a utility pole, etc).
Posted by: allen Z | 26 August 2006 at 05:50 AM
Citroen have offered stop-start on the small and very inexpensive C3 for about 3 years and the yaris has it in Japan. Shame then that OEM's feel they can't charge the tiny extra to provide it, as the (mainly US) market is too damn cheap to pay for it.
Posted by: JJ | 26 August 2006 at 08:57 AM
I have thought about trying to rig up an idle start/stop system and planned out the algorithm for basic motor control using a Microchip PIC DSC chip but unfortuneately I'm new to high frequency motor control and I imagine it will take alot of work for me to get something realistically running. The interface is easy...fine control of the motor is difficult (especially if I were to try to make it flexible enough to use on more than my own car).
Posted by: Patrick | 26 August 2006 at 08:58 AM
Here is an aftermarket solution for compact sedans
http://www.all-electronics.de/news/5/59b2cd31046.html
Posted by: Hoeoetmann | 26 August 2006 at 01:13 PM
"Why don't they just outfit truck stops with 110V outlets, so they can plug into the grid?"
This is already underway.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/idle/truck_elec.html
http://www.idleaire.com
Posted by: Desiri | 26 August 2006 at 02:28 PM
Well, well, it looks like people with EVs on long trips may be hitting up the truck stops then. A 2-hour charge while you grab some dinner and take care of personal hygeine should extend the useable daily range of an all electric.
Posted by: Patrick | 28 August 2006 at 12:45 PM
JJ:
The 2007 Saturn Vue and 2007 Chevy Malibu are both micro-hybrids, coming to dealers in the US very soon. This Gates system is apparently stock on those vehicles, per the article.
Posted by: Roy | 28 August 2006 at 07:59 PM
Idleaire LLC has taken away most of the prime parking slots @ most of the TA Travelcenter truckstops; Drivers such as me that have APU, laptop with verizon WIFI card,Directv with tivo & of course cellphone, are not pleased that we have had our parking options degraded, that is if we can find one. I am sure the Idleaire top investors are laughing all the way to their winter homes now with the booty they collected from us taxpayers that the TA co-conspirators used to upgrade their pavement. Maybe the next administation will play "Robin Hood" & spread the government "welfare (grants,tax credits etc) to the real people in need, not cold hearted Greedy Neo Psuedo Puritan business leeches
Posted by: Jim Stark | 10 January 2008 at 09:37 AM