The international event focuses on environmental and performance testing of advanced technologies and is open to vehicle makers, universities, and public and private companies. For the first time, heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses are participating in the event. Eaton's two technologies for truck applications are being displayed in the Learning Center.
Eaton said its HLA and HEV technologies are representative of the company's commitment to innovative, advanced technologies that benefit its customers and the environment.
The second-generation HLA system hardware is on display in a Ford F350 Super Duty truck. The HLA technology, initially announced at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show, employs a practical method to recover energy normally lost during vehicle braking, converting it into hydraulic power that can be used for vehicle acceleration, improved fuel economy and reduced brake wear.
Eaton's HLA system is a parallel hybrid regenerative braking system targeted at Class 2B through Class 8 commercial vehicles. The system can provide a 25 to 35 percent improvement in fuel economy and similar reductions in exhaust emissions in light duty trucks, with even higher percentages in heavier vehicles, when the driving cycle involves frequent starts and stops. The system can also reduce brake wear significantly and provide high torque very quickly and at very low speed.
"The HLA system is part of a larger hydraulic hybrid development effort with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency for automotive and commercial powertrains," said Sohan Uppal, vice president and chief technical officer, Eaton Fluid Power Group. "Eaton's role in the collaborative effort with the EPA is to provide HLA system architecture, hardware design and electronic controls expertise to bring this exciting new technology to the marketplace."
The HLA system works by recovering a portion of the energy normally wasted as heat by the vehicle's brakes. This converted energy is held in fluid form in an on-board reservoir, or accumulator, until the driver next accelerates the vehicle. Fuel savings occur when the stored energy is then used in conjunction with the engine-based power in the initial, high-fuel-consumption acceleration of the vehicle. Acceleration is "brisk," due to the high power density of hydraulics, and the energy transfer is virtually transparent to the driver.
Eaton's Hybrid Electric Technology Selected by FedEx Express, Environmental Defense
Eaton's hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain technology effectively combines a diesel engine and electric motor to drive the vehicle. A computer determines the most efficient combination, depending on current operating conditions and driver demand. The engine size is reduced because of the added power provided by the electric motor. A particulate trap has been added to the truck to further reduce emissions.
On May 20, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. in concert with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corporation, introduced a low-emission, hybrid electric powered delivery vehicle that could become a standard medium-duty delivery truck for the FedEx Express fleet.
Eaton was selected to produce the hybrid electric powertrain. FedEx Express has agreed to purchase 20 hybrid electric diesel delivery trucks using Eaton's innovative technology. Later this year and into early 2004, these 20 vehicles will begin operation in four yet-to-be-named U.S. cities. These hybrid electric vehicles will endure real-world FedEx operating conditions to verify and prove their viability in commercial applications.
The FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicle will decrease particulate emissions by 90 percent, reduce smog-causing emissions by 75 percent and increase fuel efficiency by 50 percent.
On June 20, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it awarded Eaton's Truck business a $3.1 million contract to develop hybrid propulsion systems for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles.
"We are very excited about bringing this hybrid electric technology to market," said James Sweetnam, senior vice president and group executive for Eaton's Truck Group. "This innovative Eaton technology will help enable truck makers and engine manufacturers to meet strict emission requirements, in addition to reducing fuel consumption."
The DOE contract provides matching funds for a research and development program aimed at doubling the fuel efficiency of today's conventional truck engines, while at the same time increasing reliability and durability of components and meeting new, lowered federal emissions standards for 2007.
Eaton Corporation is a global diversified industrial manufacturer with 2002 sales of $7.2 billion that is a leader in fluid power systems; electrical power quality, distribution and control; automotive engine air management and fuel economy; and intelligent systems for fuel economy and safety in trucks. Eaton has 51,000 employees and sells products in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.