The Allison 1000 transmission has an adapter that bolts into the unused power take-off (gr
Diesel enthusiasts of the future will look back at us and wonder how we ever got along with just a few fixed gears and drivelines unable to store bursts of power. Young whippersnappers will scoff at our transmission coolers and wonder why we didn't use that energy for powering the wheels instead of dumping it as heat into the air. Since Diesel Power is always teetering on the edge of what's next, here's a look at transmissions that could transform and unlock the expanding capability of diesel engines.
Hydraulic Hybrid
Lighting Hybrids' HyPER Assist system is supposed to be capable of increasing fuel economy by more than 40 percent. This system can be installed in most trucks in about a day, and everything is placed under the bed so you won't lose any storage or underhood space. The total package weighs less than 450 pounds. The reason for the substantial performance increase is because a hydraulic system is added in parallel to the stock automatic transmission. The HyPER Assist system uses a variable-displacement pump connected to the transmission and is capable of providing 350 lb-ft to supplement the diesel engine's power. This same device harnesses braking energy by pumping hydraulic pressure into a composite tank under the vehicle. On one complete charge of the tank, the truck can accelerate to 30 mph twice on hydraulic power alone. Once installed, the HyPER Assist system is automatically controlled and tuned in to the vehicle's computers for total optimization. The system starts at $17,999 for light-duty trucks (not including installation). The systems are available for GM 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 vehicles (gas and diesel).
More information at:www.lightninghybrids.com
Lightning Hybrids' HyPER Assist (hydraulic propulsion and energy recovery) retrofit kit st
Hydraulic Power
According to the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), there's been more advances in hydraulics in the last 10 years than in the 50 years prior to that. The main reason for this increase is because a hydraulic system is 10 times more energy dense than an electrical one. Plus, hydraulics don't rely on expensive, rare earth materials; they last longer; and they are 80 percent efficient at storing braking energy as compared to batteries (which are only 30 percent efficient).
Hydraulic Accumulator
- High-pressure tank found in lightning Hybrids system: Type 3
- Capacity: 22 gallons
- Empty weight: 150 pounds
- Length and diameter: 74 inches and 11.85 inches
- Operating Pressure: 6,000 psi
- Durability: 500,000 cycles between 2,500 and 5,500 psi (currently testing up to 3 million cycles)
- Burst testing: 22,500 psi
- Minimum burst pressure: 18,600 psi
- Female outlet port: -24 AN (other porting options available)
- Valve: Poppet anti-extrusion
- Bottom-load bladder: Buna-N (other materials available), 2,000-psi maximum nitrogen charge
- Liner: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Shell: Carbon and epoxy
- Failure mode: Inherent leak-before-burst fatigue failure
- Optimal operating temperature range: -40 to 180 degrees F outside ambient temperatures
- Price: $5,200
Since Ricardo's compact and high-speed flywheel doesn't have a lot of mass, it makes up fo
Flywheel-Powered Mechanical Hybrid
The British government helped finance a program called Flybus, which uses a mechanical-flywheel hybrid system (similar to what's been used in Formula 1 racing). This bolt-on system is said to have twice the efficiency of a typical battery-based electric hybrid in a package that is half the size, half the weight, and a quarter of the cost. Led by Torotrak, the group developing the technology includes Ricardo, Optare (a bus manufacturer), and Allison. Its technology involves spinning a small and very light flywheel to 64,000 rpm. This momentum is cased inside a Ricardo-developed, hermetically sealed unit with magnetic gearing and coupling. The stored power is then transmitted by Torotrak's continuously variable transmission to the Allison via the unused power take-off (PTO). Right now, this demonstrator is only for buses, but this could become original equipment on all types of vehicles-and there are even plans for retrofit kits.
More information at:www.torotrak.com