Search Results

A liquid fuelled, fuel cell auxiliary power unit (APU) can provide efficient, quiet and low pollution power for a variety of applications including commercial and military vehicles. Truck idling regulation, customer comfort or military “stealth” operation by using electrical power, require a device disconnected from the main diesel engine. The power can be utilized for air conditioning as well as other auxiliary systems found on board commercial trucks for driver comfort. In a military vehicle, this regulated power could be supplied to telecommunication and other computer equipment required for military operations. A system designed to be an add-on or retrofit solution using alternative fuel can have the potential to meet these requirements on the hundreds of thousands of existing vehicles currently in service or as optional equipment on a newly procured vehicle.

More stringent emission legislation has been a driver for changes in the design of Heavy Duty Diesel engines since the 1980s. Optimization of the combustion processes has lead to significant reductions of exhaust emission levels over the years. However, in the year 2002, diesel engines in the USA will have to meet an even more stringent set of emission requirements. Expectations are that this will force most engine builders to incorporate Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). Several studies of the impact of EGR on lubricant degradation have shown increased levels of contamination with soot particles and acidic components. Both of these could lead to changes in lubricant requirements. The industry is developing a new specification for diesel engine lubricants, PC-9, using test procedures incorporating engines with EGR.

Prototype selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems using urea have been demonstrated on diesel trucks in Europe in recent years. In view of upcoming stringent emissions control standards for US HD diesel engines, urea-SCR is being evaluated by US engine and truck manufacturers. The authors and their companies have worked jointly on a project to develop, test, and demonstrate urea-SCR on a US HD diesel engine and Class-8 truck. A prototype urea-SCR system was applied to a 12-liter HD diesel engine. The engine model selected is rated at 350 bhp and is common for highway trucks. The only engine modifications were changes to the injection timing control map in order to better suit the application of the urea-SCR system. This paper details two demonstration phases of the project as follows. The first phase includes recent emissions cell tests using a new compact SCR catalyst and an engine calibration optimized for lower NOX.

Heavy-duty natural gas engines available today are typically derived from diesel engines. The biggest discrepancy in thermal efficiency between a natural gas engine and its diesel counterpart comes at low loads. This is particularly true for a lean-burn throttle-controlled refuse hauler. Field data shows that a refuse hauler operates at low speeds for the majority of the time, averaging between 3 to 7 miles per hour. As a result, many developers focus primarily on the improvement of thermal efficiency at light loads and low speeds. One way to improve efficiency at light loads is through the use of a late intake valve closing (IVC) technique. With the increase in electronic and hydraulic control technologies, the potential benefits of late IVC with unthrottled control are realizable in production engines.

This paper describes the procedures used to reduce the tonal noise of a class eight truck engine timing gear train that was initially found to be objectionable under idle operating conditions. Initial measurements showed that the objectionable sounds were related to the fundamental gear mesh frequency, and its second and third harmonics. Experimental and computational procedures used to study and trouble-shoot the problem include vibration and sound measurements, transmission error analysis of the gears under light load condition, and a dynamic analysis of the drive system. Detail applications of these techniques are described in this paper.

Mack Trucks' E7 direct injection heavy-duty diesel engine is a four cycle, in-line six cylinder design. The 728 cu in. (12 1) engine is turbocharged and chassis mounted air-to-air aftercooled. The E7 is being introduced in 1989 with power ratings of 250 hp to 400 hp (186 kW to 298 kW) at 1700 to 1800 rpm, calibrated to 1990 EPA standards. Highlights of the E7 engine's design, development and performance are presented. Information is included which illustrates the strategies utilized to attain program goals of controlling weight and cost while extending power ratings, reducing emissions levels, and improving fuel economy, serviceability, durability and reliability.

Two ceramic monolith wall flow diesel particulate traps, incorporating a new split flow design with a base metal catalytic coating were tested on line haul highway trucks to investigate their performance characteristics. The trucks were equipped with a 300 HP turbocharged and after-cooled engine. After-cooler by-pass was used to effect the regeneration of the trap and an elapsed-time scheme was employed to control the regeneration process. Tests were terminated after one trap completed 147,500 miles of operation on the truck for in-depth examination of the trap to determine the cause of substantial increase in back pressure. Tests with the second trap of identical design was also terminated due to filtering efficiency loss, the cause of which was traced to a flaw in the canning arrangement. This arrangement permitted exhaust flow to by-pass the element and led to melt down of the trap, due to reduced flow during regeneration.

A foundation of highway truck ride and cab suspension historical evolution is laid describing the influence of marketplace demands, highway conditions, and government laws. Ride quality test methods are revealed along with variables tried and conclusions drawn. These data and techniques are then used to design cab suspension systems for a new line of truck products including both conventional and COE cabs.

This paper describes development of a full-scale laboratory truck axle test used to predict the field performance of gear lubricants in heavy truck use. The relationship between laboratory results and known field performance will be described, as will a unique way of analyzing laboratory results. Data will also be presented which will show the laboratory test to be both repeatable and reproducible. Finally, data will be presented which shows lubricant additive type to play a vital role in defining field performance.

A new 998 CID V8 engine series has been developed by Mack Trucks, Inc. to supplement its line of heavy duty diesel engines. These engines, the E9 Series, are available in two configurations--a 400 bhp (298 kW) high torque rise version and a 440 bhp (328 kW) conventional torque backup version. Increased horsepower and improved fuel economy were achieved through the development of a chassis mounted charge air cooler and a new four-valve cylinder head. In addition, significant durability improvements were obtained due to the reduced thermal loadings resulting from the lower charge air temperatures. Additional noteworthy features include a new injection pump, improved lube oil system, advanced piston design, and proper selection of seals and gasket materials.

To establish a criteria for engine oil requirements for Mack diesel engines, a program was conducted to establish a specification based on the use of a production multicylinder engine. Laboratory engine tests were supplemented by field tests to assure correlation. Subsequently modifications were made to the engine test procedures to accommodate modifications in engines being marketed. Oil monitoring and oil analysis programs were also implemented to further assist in assuring adequate engine lubrication.

Field experience, together with engine laboratory testing, indicated the need for upgrading of Mack's diesel engine lubricant specifications. Field testing and laboratory testing indicated the superiority of several of the newer oil formulations for the Mack engine requirements. The newer type multi-viscosity oils were found to be particularly suited. A modified multi-cylinder engine test (T-5) was developed together with an oil specification based on the use of this test procedure (EO-J).

Controlled laboratory engine tests produced a correlation between the rates of viscosity and oxidation increase and the increase in engine bmep. A multicylinder turbocharged engine test procedure was developed which correlated with field experience of known lubricants. The Mack EO-G oil recommendation was based on results obtained by evaluating representative oils of different additive levels by this test procedure.

The truck flywheel power takeoff has proven itself as a reliable means of supplying continuous power to a variety of mounted equipment. The features of available units are described in detail in an effort to provide the design and application engineer with complete information regarding their function and application, and to stimulate expanded usage of this constant power source.

This paper describes tests conducted to determine the effect of increased compression ratio on the multifuel capability of a standard diesel engine. The tests included power and cold starting capability checks, and it was found that the thermal efficiency was increased, combustion at full-load was improved, and part-load operation was definitely improved. Although there was no major improvement in cold starting characteristics as a result of increased compression ratio, the warm-up characteristics of the engine were markedly improved.