Compared to the 3412C, Caterpillar's 3412E engine has more power, improved emissions control, and dramatically enhanced midrange performance.
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Caterpillar's Engine Products Division has developed a totally electronic 3412E marine diesel engine with ratings from 375-1044 kW (503-1400 hp) for commercial marine applications. Compared to 3412C engines, the new engine has more power, improved emissions control, and dramatically enhanced midrange performance, with faster acceleration, more available power and torque, and improved cruising characteristics. Greater reserve power allows the engine to respond quickly to increased load caused by adverse conditions such as swift currents, loaded nets, and hard turns.
The 3412E uses the same 27-L displacement, 12-cylinder vee, four-stroke diesel configuration as the 3412C, but significant changes include new electronic control and fuel systems, turbochargers, and pistons. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) software was completely rewritten with new software control maps developed for power and torque limits, air/fuel ratio control, fuel-rail pressure, and timing.
No other marine engine of similar size matches the 3412E's maximum power curves above 1200 rpm, according to Caterpillar. Much of this power development is due to Caterpillar's Hydraulically Actuated, Electronically Controlled Unit Injector (HEUI) fuel system. HEUI uses an oil pump to pressurize fuel at the injector rather than a traditional cam-driven rocker arm. This system provides full actuation pressure at 40-100% rated engine speed for better fuel atomization and more complete fuel burn. It provides electronic control of fuel injection timing and duration since actuation is independent of engine rotational timing. This allows greater leeway for electronic control strategies that determine engine performance and emissions-control characteristics.
The HEUI fuel system includes a hydraulic pump, an injection actuation pressure control valve, and fluid manifolds that supply actuation oil and fuel to the electronically controlled injectors. This system allows the 3412E to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) exhaust emission limits for NOx without sacrificing performance.
Turbochargers on both the single- and twin-turbocharged arrangements are new and provide a better compressor/turbine match for the engine with higher aerodynamic efficiencies. The two-piece articulated pistons incorporate a steel crown to withstand high combustion pressures and a lightweight aluminum skirt with internal oil-cooling chamber.
The 3412E is equipped with an engine-mounted control panel and is compatible with all Cat electronic pilothouse monitoring systems, including the most advanced Cat Engine Vision system. SAE standard J1939 data link communications are also provided, allowing engine and transmission information to be shared with integrated vessel machinery monitoring systems.
