Hyliion developing hybrid system for semi-trailers
27 November 2016
Hyliion, a start-up founded by a group of graduate students at Carnegie Mellon, has developed an add-on hybrid system for semi-trailers. Combining regenerative braking and power boost for the trailer to reduce on-the-road fuel consumption, the system also functions as an auxiliary power unit to reduce engine-on idling. Their patent application describing the basics of the system was published earlier this month,
The Hyliion System—comprising motor, battery and control electronics—can power a truck cab for 20 hours, out-performing an industry standard, idle-free all-electric APU. Overall fuel savings are upwards of 30%, according the company.
| Configuration of the motor control and axle adaptation configuration, from the patent document. Click to enlarge. |
Hyliion’s aerodynamic packaging also reduces air resistance, saving more fuel. The company also offers additional tools that keep track of trailers in real-time and make real-time route decisions.
The Hyliion System replaces the existing axle system, and can be installed in an hour (8 bolts and 2 lines). The system is designed to retrofit all 6 million box trailers on the road today. The system’s data logic analyzer interprets certain variable conditions (such as brake status of the trailer; accelerometer position; GPS indicator; acceleration status of the trailer; velocity status of the trailer; measured incline of the trailer; a gyroscope reading; a microphone reading; driver behavior; or currently operating engine status) and is used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage.
Shifting the mechanical stress of braking onto the Hyliion System enables brake pads and engines to go further and last longer, requiring less maintenance and fewer replacements.
Resources
1. What is the additional weight of this Hyliion system over above the standard axle design system for each trailer unit? What is the reduction in payload for the trailer unit??
2. What affect is there on the trailer braking system? Are there cost reductions compared with new trailer setups?
Posted by: Energy Koi | 27 November 2016 at 01:03 PM
Breaking news'' australia turn down windmills power for cheap reliable atomic power instead. another scam bite the dust...
https://stopthesethings.com/2016/11/27/south-australians-turn-on-wind-power-plump-for-an-atomic-future-instead/
Posted by: gorr | 27 November 2016 at 04:11 PM
Switzerland after a popular vote decided to keep their nuclear power instead of windmills, lol.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38120559
Posted by: gorr | 27 November 2016 at 04:26 PM
Brilliant idea, this is a real contribution.
Posted by: SJC | 27 November 2016 at 09:23 PM
Sounds like a good idea, you won't be electrifying roads any time soon, so we better make chemical fuel based trucks as efficient as possible.
Nice to see a bit of common sense in Switzerland, even if they have reduced the size of Toblerone bars in the UK by 10%.
@Gor: interesting article, some great OZ straight talking in it.
SO a big blackout has turned popular opinion. They must have overdone the wind element.
+ they have one of the world's largest Uranium deposits nearby at Olympic dam.
Posted by: mahonj | 28 November 2016 at 12:06 AM
Interesting concept but the article, video clip, and their website seems to be light on specific details and heavy on hype. The concept would only work when you need to brake so it would probably works OK in urban or mountainous areas but I doubt that it would be very useful on the majority of the interstates where air drag is the major load.
Off the subject -- @Gor: I am not a big fan of wind turbines and would prefer more nuclear power but your article is from some website that is blatantly anti wind turbine (We are not here to debate wind industry, we are here to DESTROY IT!) and is about as objective as some of the anti nuke groups.
Posted by: sd | 28 November 2016 at 10:50 AM
SD, your take on the technology is good. Most of the heavy duty hybrid value limited to start stop vehicles such as delivery trucks, buses, and garbage. Hydraulic is a competitor as well.
Interesting technology is floating about that could have tremendous impact on grid power. Hydrogen appears to be the ultimate chemical battery storage device for power. The fuel cell is poised to change everything. Also, remote hydrogen production per wind power is a game changer if it ever becomes efficient process. If so, then it would be best to keep these wind turbines producing hydrogen and forget the hybrid function to add power.
DC power continues to shine brighter for household energy needs. Natural gas continues to be the brightest star for household btu needs including cooking, drying, and space heating. Also, I just read the absorption cycle cooling and refrigeration affords and incredible jump in energy efficiency. So, if this proves out what is left for power? Lighting and charging is much more efficient with DC. Fan motors, pump, and vacuum motors the same. It would not be that difficult to operate a household off of grid power. A small battery becomes effective energy storage device. Low scale solar may become useful and justifiable. CHP system play into this very comfortable. A CHP fuel cell system would be the ultimate in power and heat production.
Also, within erratic wind and solar generation of power would ice storage ever be an option? Or is the cost and loss of efficiency to high?
Posted by: Trees | 29 November 2016 at 03:37 AM
Trees. Add Ground-Source Geothermal HP where applicable (Propane is expensive in Ural areas, no NG). CHP with Geothermal if you can Afford it (Cost Benefit or just want it because its Cool).
I have a 6-Ton 23yr old WaterFurnace Geo-Unit that is still running strong. Upgraded the Fan to DC ECM 2.3 technology several years back. I would like CHP but Propane is expensive.
We need 7+ Cubic Ft. HeatPump Dryers that are Cost Effective. We need this more than "Useless Car-Connectivity" applications.
Posted by: Dr. Strange Love | 30 November 2016 at 12:30 PM
Given your circumstances, I would do as you have done. It's hard without a NG connection.
I'm close to Whirlpool Corp headquarters and talk to some employees who like to pitch their products. Tetrachloroethylene is classified as hazardous waste and the chemical is commonly utilize in dry cleaning of clothes. EPA has no concern or regulation if the chemical is recycled. It's the waste they regulate. So, think about it. A commercial clothes washer that can cycle clothes to dry in 15 minutes. A washer that has tremendous cleaning ability and just about no delay for drying. This type of washer would just filter out the contaminates and keep recycling the cleaning fluid. Sure, it's hazardous waste, but don't let the chemical become waste. It is easy to recycle this chemical.
Posted by: Trees | 30 November 2016 at 02:58 PM