Powertrain

Scalable transmissions based on NuVinci CVP technology coming this decade Development of high-efficiency transmissions appropriate for light-passenger, off-highway, and commercial vehicles is the basis for strategic alliances involving Allison Transmission, Dana, and Fallbrook Technologies. Read full story

A swifter shifter for truck transmissions Transmission specialist Oerlikon Graziano of Italy has developed a new family of synchronizers for heavy-duty truck transmissions, designed to speed up gearshifting and deliver improved fuel consumption. Read full story

Navistar’s take on ComVEC, next-gen diesels Navistar is providing the executive leadership for this year’s SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress, taking place in Rosemont, IL, on Oct. 2-3. Ramin Younessi, Group Vice President, Product Development, Navistar Inc., discusses how the Congress is shaping up and the company’s future product plans incorporating the next-gen ICT+ (in-cylinder technology plus) system, which adds urea-based aftertreatment to its EGR technology. Read full story

Calculating the cost of 'going green' What are the costs of competing powertrain technologies, and how should engineers manage them to satisfy market and regulatory expectations—and make a profit? A value-engineering expert from FEV explains. Read full story

Behr puts the cooling touch on Kenworth T680 cabin Before designing the new Kenworth T680, engineers made sure they knew the expectations for the Class 8 truck, including the vehicle's HVAC package that features the commercial-truck industry's first automatic temperature control system. Read full story

Aerospace leads in additive manufacturing Read full story

Waste heat recovery by Behr improves fuel economy for long-haul trucks Roughly 30% of the energy contained in diesel fuel is currently lost via the hot exhaust gases and EGR in a truck. By using a newly developed waste heat recovery system, Behr has demonstrated that 5% or more can be fed back into the drivetrain, which could improve long-haul fuel economy by the same amount. Read full story

Taking action on friction As Director, Engineering and Technology–Powertrain Energy, Federal Mogul, Keri Westbrooke is responsible for all North American applications engineering activities for automotive and heavy-duty pistons, piston rings, liners, and ignition design and has global responsibility for steel piston technology. Read full story

Noise-damping lubricants control NVH, improve perceived vehicle quality Less noise and more smoothness are important design attributes for operators of most every type of vehicle, including passenger vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, and off-road equipment. Synthetic noise-damping lubricants such as the Molykote brand solutions from Dow Corning can be economical, long-lasting answers to achieve these attributes in powertrain, body, chassis, and interior applications. Read full story