Search Results

The objective of the advanced transmission system concepts such as the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Hybrid Electric Drives is to improve fuel efficiency, lower emissions and reduce powertrain part count while not impacting cost. The control of the system, however, can greatly affect the final fuel consumption, performance and emissions for any of the possible configurations. This paper describes an engine control philosophy for a hybrid electric CVT powertrain concept with the fewest number of mechanical parts but with many modes of operation such as: 1. All electric operation 2. Regenerative braking to maintain the battery charge at a desired level. 3. Engine charge for maintaining the battery state of charge 4. Highway cruise efficiency. 5. Power enhancement by use of the electrical energy for passing and highway maneuvers. 6.

Four hybrid powertrain designs are compared for a refuse collection truck driven over approach, loading and return segments of a representative route. Appropriate matching of component characteristics, drivetrain design and control strategy is shown to reduce fuel consumption by 39% to 56% compared to a conventional vehicle. Concurrently, brake usage is reduced 54% to 85% and the number of engine revolutions is reduced 66% to 84%. The four hybrid powertrains consist of “Integrated” and “Add-On” designs using flywheel or accumulator energy storage to recover braking energy and optimize engine efficiency. The average engine efficiency for each design is comparable and the vehicle fuel economy depends on the ability of each design and control strategy to minimize parasitic losses and use of the service brakes.