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Hydrogen possibilities Using hydrogen in an internal-combustion engine application requires not only a custom-engineered combustion concept, but also optimized operation strategies. Nets catch on Engineers have been slow to adopt networks, but that is changing quickly as electronically controlled engines take hold. Hydraulic matters There is much potential for gain for everyone if OEMs and suppliers work together early in terms of hydraulic system design. Asia hot on new cooling technology Not tied as much to aluminum as is the West, china and Russia are moving fast toward widespread use of copper and brass for radiators. Build, test, teview, and improve SAE 100 Future Look; Frank Perna, Chairman and CEo of MSC. Software writes about his experience in vehicle engineering, testing, and management positions.

Shrinking hydraulics The push to conserve fuel and reduce emissions is prompting major changes in system design. Aftertreatment temperature control Regeneration of a DPF burns off soot, but also raises exhaust gas temperature. Speed thrills: doing more tests in less time Quicker data gathering, simulation keep quality high despite time crunch. Green engineering The quest to alleviate environmental and efficiency pressures turns up 'small' material solutions with big benefits. A global forum Cummins executives lay the groundwork for a lively and informative discussion at this year's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition.

Electronics invade the cab Joysticks and displays lead the transitions from mechanical links. Developing alternatives According to Ford Power Products, hydrogen-powered engines can be a reality, but while waiting for them to be economical with a developed infrastructure, other alternatives to diesel and gasoline are available. Optimization of structural components Researchers from Dana present a new design methodology to develop structural components using computer-aided engineering tools.

Putting tractors to the test Southwest Research Institute offers manufacturers a ready-made R&D laboratory and the test programs to push their machines to the limit. Leave the driving to us Military programs explore autonomy to lighten operator workloads. Easy on the operator Off-highway OEMs and suppliers want to make life as easy-and productive- as possible for the people running the equipment. Tough testing for tomorrow's demands The off-highway industry is moving toward a new era of legislation and environmental pressures, making test centers increasingly important.

In search of the perfect burn The simultaneous download pressures on NOx and PM continue to make research into higher injection pressures and alternative combustion solutions such as homogenous-charge compression ignition attractive. One way to stop a train A new self-energizing electrohydraulic brake offers the advantages of hydraulic brake actuation without the disadvantages of a centralized hydraulic power supply. A model combustion: from art to science Analysis tools, advanced hardware provide insight into combustion process, refining the cylinder's 'big bang.' The datalinked vehicle In the fields and on the job site with GPS.

Synchronized driving Tight linkage between engine and transmission increases efficiency. Sensing a change Hydraulic engineers are being pressured to design systems that perform more tasks while taking less space. Steel still king Advanced steels and processes offer better performance and lower cost, particularly in powertrain applications.

Communication helps make sense of problems Sensors that link engines and hydraulics to the outside world provide data that can be used to analyze performance and the cause of failures. Characteristics of multiple injections A look at the effects that pilot-injection fuel quantity and timing have on light-duty engine emissions. Hybrid innovations for hydraulic braking Exploring new technologies for recovering kinetic energy from braking.

Engine electronics come of age Changes in global standards, combined with engineering know-how, have resulted in a new generation of clean, quiet, and efficient engines. Operators are rolling in the chips Microprocessors and sensors are being combined to monitor the way that equipment is being used, then help operators to perform better in that environment. Gaining weight Perkins' influence in the off-highway industry grows as it evolves its global engine lines and expands its presence in the U.S. What's new at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Part 2 of 2 A preview of some of the products and technologies that will be displayed at this year's event, scheduled March 15-19 in Las Vegas, NV. Engineering a career Off-highway companies are challenged not only by the ever-changing technology landscape, but also by finding the engineering talent to help them succeed in it.

The diesel engine diet Researchers correlate engine performance and durability with the properties of alternative fuels that consist of vegetable oils and animal fats. Looking at a safer future Software, other sensors will augment cameras as safety's role in the off-highway industry takes an upward spiral. Plastics expand their range From high-speed train exterior panels to powertrain components, plastics and composite materials are finding their way into more off-highway applications.

Electrifying the future Hybrid-electric systems development is heating up in the truck and off-highway equipment industries as OEMs plan to satisfy a wide variety of customers. Shrinking world extends design teams Whether the world is becoming flat or just shrinking, its change is posing a challenge for engineers who have to design bigger products with flat manpower budgets. Cutting costs with COTS Streamlining design and manufacturing processes for accelerated wire harness development for off-highway equipment.

Communicating without drivers Autonomous vehiclesrely on data communications. A big plan for small engines The design procesas for Perkins' 400 Series is driven by choice via continuous product improvements, not just by regulations. Bringing field to lab Mahindra & Mahindra cuts testing and evaluation time with new test system and statistical tools. Planning new wheels for the Army The ambitious Future Tactical Truck Systems program aims to leverage commercial sector know-how to make safer, more capable military vehicles.

The history and future of two-stroke engines While supporters of two-stroke engines emphasize their advantages, naysayers have for years been predicting the death of the little engine that could. Active suspension systems Engineers from Birrana have designed a load-sensing system for mining trucks and haulers that reduces torsional, vibration, and shock loads on a vehicle's structure. CFD simulations inside hydraulic valves Engineers from HUSCO studied the forces induced by oil flow on hydraulic valve actuators with the aim of minimizing their effects. Electronic control for transmissions A third-generation transmission electronic control system developed by Allison primarily for mobile equipment applications will be phased into all of its off-highway transmissions.

Testing in the field Hardened data-acquistion modules benefit companies conducting off-highway testing in harsh environments. Continuing to advance technology With close to $1 billion spent on R & D in 2004 alone, Caterpillar is taking a lead role in the push to move the commercial-vehicle industry forward. Testing trends This special section highlights some of the latest equipment used by engineers to evaluate new technologies. The forgotten compact engine Though heavy-duty engines have gotten most of the industry attention lately, smaller engines are out there working hard, with seemingly little respect. Productivity drives future agricultural technologies SAE 100 Future Look: Despite the tremendous rate of change in the agricultural equipment industry, one common theme has led the technological advances in agricultural equipment.

Small is as small does off-highway engineers have been pretty busy packing smaller and smaller engines with more and more power. Computer-aided everything Software is helping companies to be more effective when developing and evaluating off-highway vehicles and systems. Testing resources This section highlights some of the latest mobile and stationary equipment available to the industry for product development and evaluation. History of gerotor hydraulics The second part in a retrospective of the development of gerotor technology, the engineers behind the breakthroughs, and an acquisition here and there. Maintenence is old business at DoD Iraqi insurgents represent the U.S. Department of Defense's main concern at the moment, but an aging maintenance work force is among other concerns on its flanks.

Designing out emissions Researchers from Michigan Technological University designed and tested a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection and catalytic exhaust treatment for a snowmobile application. Networking to extend equipment life Equipment developers are using local area networks to gather specific usage and maintenance data in response to the needs of off-highway equipment owners and leasing companies to maximize investments. CAE goes off-highway A look at how manufacturers are saving time and improving quality by using computer simulation. Engineering the first 50-ton ADT While it could be said that the articulated frame truck is now a mature concept, Bell Equipment moved the goal posts by redefining both the weight class and application range for this versatile machine.

Cleaner and quieter snowmobiles The University at Buffalo's entry into the Clean Snowmobile Challenge led to modifications of engine, exhaust, body, and electronics to achieve a snowmobile with both lower noise and emissions. Predicting pump dynamics The dynamic behavior of a Parker Hannifin/Abex NWL hydraulic-axial-piston pump was simulated to determine information on pump flow ripple for longer pump life and reduced noise. Electronic engine management for small engines Through an overview of sensor technologies, Cherry Electrical Products confirms that the off-highway industry is ready to benefit from the automotive industry when it comes to electronically controlling small engines. Globally positioning mining vehicles High-tech guidance systems for mining vehicles supplied by companies such as Magellan Corp. are one of the most prevalent uses of global positioning systems in off-highway applications.

Technology for small-engine emissions reduction Swiss researchers used a modern four-stroke engine in conjunction with a commercially available catalytic converter and special gasoline to develop a significantly cleaner-running walk-behind mower. Large-scale application of J1939 The SAE electronic systems communication standard provides a method for achieving engineering flexibility, product standardization, parts rationalization, service, and customer convenience. Focus on electronics OEMs and their suppliers are developing vehicle systems for improved vehicle operation and reliability/durability with the help of electronics. The following pages review some recent industry advancements. 2000 SAE International Off-Highway Congress: one for the ages From antique off-highway equipment to the latest in intelligent vehicle technology, the 2000 SAE International Off-Highway & Powerplant Congress & Exposition brings yesterday and tomorrow together today.