Technical Innovations
Filtration technology from Donaldson
 Donaldson's patented PowerCore features a metal-free, cartridge-style design that traps contaminants inside the structure.  |
Donaldson Co. (Booth S-16219) introduced in December its PowerCore filtration technology to meet OEM demands for a compact, high-performance filtration system. The company's new media technology is currently being targeted toward innovative off-road equipment and heavy-duty-trucking intake applications that must run hotter to comply with stricter emissions regulations.
Donaldson's new filter is noticeably different in shape, color, and style. Its compact, metal-free, cartridge-style design traps contaminants inside its structure for cleaner and easier servicing, according to the company. The PowerCore uses Donaldson's RadialSeal technology to provide a reliable seal. To date, Donaldson has acquired 27 patents around the world that cover the PowerCore technology.
"Larger, conventional filters require clearance space for proper air flow," said Marty Barris, Director of Air Filtration, Donaldson. "They also have a hollow center to allow the filtered air to exit to the engine. (The) PowerCore combines high-density filter media packaging with a straight-through flow design (for) significant size reduction options."
Because of its shape options and smaller size, the PowerCore air-intake systems have more mounting options than conventional filters. The new systems allow the use of such options as a secondary seal, protective wraps, and safety filter to enable increased airflow and system efficiency for peak performance in all conditions.
Donaldson has also been selected by General Dynamics Land Systems to develop and manufacture prototype and pre-production Pulse Jet Air Cleaner (PJAC) filtration systems for the U.S. Army Abrams-Crusader Common Engine (ACCE) program. The objective of the ACCE program is to retrofit current engines in the M1 Abrams main battle tank fleet with new Honeywell LV100-5 gas turbine engines, and also install the LV100-5 engines in new Crusader artillery systems.
The self-cleaning PJAC filtration technology will provide a high-performance air-filtration system suitable for the high dust conditions encountered during missions such as Desert Storm, in which battle tank engine filters needed to be cleaned as often as every 24 km (15 mi). According to Donaldson, the PJAC system will allow tanks to travel "hundreds of miles" before service is required.
The PJAC filtration system automatically back-flushes the filters, scouring contaminants away from the filter and discarding the debris. This provides the engines with more efficient airflow, leading to more reliable operation and reduced fuel consumption. During lab testing, the first generation PJAC system currently installed in M1 tanks demonstrated that it could filter more than a ton of dust without requiring service. Donaldson's Defense Engineering Group is developing the next generation PJAC system—two-thirds the size of its predecessor—for the new Honeywell gas turbine engines. The new engines will deliver comparable power while being lighter, smaller, and more fuel efficient.
"Working in an 18-month developmental timeframe, our goal is have the first PJAC prototypes operating in tanks during the fourth quarter of 2002," said Gary Gillingham, Director, Defense Engineering Group, Donaldson. The Defense Engineering Group has been developing air-filtration systems for the majority of U.S. Army vehicles "for years," according to Gillingham, including main battle tanks, personnel carriers, and combat support vehicles.
- Jean L. Broge
Newage rigid axle series
 Newage launched a variety of off-highway gearboxes and axles last year, including the 215, 415, 615, and 915 rigid axle series. |
The new 215, 415, 615, and 915 rigid axles series from Newage Transmissions Ltd. (Booth S-15424) were designed for construction, materials-handling, and industrial-vehicle applications. The 215 and 415 axles were engineered for 3 and 5 t (3.3 and 5.5 ton) vehicles. Both units feature double-reduction gearing, with 14.8:1 or 18.04:1 drive ratios as standard. The maximum braking torque at both wheels is 6050 N•m (4370 lb•ft) on the 215 and 9112 N•m (6720 lb•ft) on the 415, based on the axle ratio of 14.8:1 and two friction plates per side. They can also be supplied with optional hydrostatic drive transfer gearboxes, which provide six overall reduction ratios from 22.64:1 to 38.43:1. The 215PB (standard input) has a mass of 120 kg (264 lb), and the 215PBH (hydrostatic) has a mass of 190 kg (418 lb). The mass of the 415PB is 166 kg (365 lb); the 415PBH's is 240 kg (528 lb).
Models 615 and 915 are all-mechanical units developed by Newage for heavy-duty off-highway vehicles with up to 10 t (11 ton). Their compact, modular design provide for simple installation and optimum ground clearance. The 405-kg (8930-lb) 915 is Newage's highest capacity unit and was designed specifically for articulated dump trucks, site vehicles, loggers, and rough-terrain forklifts. The axle has an overall reduction ratio of 15.8:1 as standard, while the 305-kg (672-lb) 615 offers 12.3:1, 14.8:1, and 15.8:1 drive ratios. The nominal output torque at both wheels of the 915 is 32,373 N•m (23,874 lb•ft), while the 615 offers 21,778 N•m (16,060 lb•ft).
 Developed specifically for shovel-loader operations, Newage's 500SL is a double-reduction rigid drive axle with optional hydrostatic input for machines in the 26- to 48-kW (35- to 65-hp) range. |
All members of the range are equipped with self-adjusting oil-immersed brakes and incorporate planetary gearing within their center casing to allow the use of small diameter road wheels.
Designed specifically for shovel loaders from 26 to 48 kW (35 to 65 hp), the 500SL is a double-reduction rigid drive axle with an optional hydrostatic input. The hydrostatic unit's ratio of 2.00:1 complements six standard mechanical axle ratios from 8.47:1 to 19.3:1. It is also fitted with integral oil-immersed disc brakes and is offered with a wide variety of road-wheel mounting configurations. The maximum braking torque at the wheels of the 500SL is 9112 N•m (6700 lb•ft), based on an axle ratio of 19.3:1 with four friction pads. A range of cardan shaft coupling options and adaptors for hydrostatic motor is also available.
- Jean L. Broge
Source Fluid Power's proportional divider valve
 Source's Motorized Flow Control for ratio adjustment can be used with a two-way solenoid valve to bypass the flow divider when one function is not required. |
A proportional divider valve now available from Source Fluid Power (S-16926) allows operators to change the split ratio externally without changing internal components. This new valve, the SFP 25254, will divide input flow anywhere from a 50/50 to an 80/20 split.
Although the SFP 25254 is suitable for any valve-type application requiring an adjustable divider, a common use is to divert flow to a hydraulic motor driving a liquid pump that delivers pre-wetting solution on salt and sand spreaders. The valve provides oil to the motor in proportion to the rate of application of salt and sand. The valve takes the return oil from a conveyor that regulates the amount of sand and salt applied. It then splits off a portion of the oil to a hydraulic motor that drives the pre-wet solution pump. Maximum operating pressure is 13,800 kPa (2000 psi) at flows up to 57 L/min (15 gal/min).
The ratio can be adjusted on the fly manually, or remotely via Source's Motorized Flow Control (MFC). According to the company, MFC is direct acting and stable at flow rates of over 189 L/min (50 gal/min) with a power consumption of 1.5 W or less while retaining settings if power is interrupted.
Source can also build the proportional divider valve into a customized package for specialty applications. With modifications, the valve can be supplied as a combiner.
- Jean L. Broge
