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Inside the cell walls The high cost of lithium-ion batteries is a prison that has largely kept electric vehicles off the street; the keys to their release are more effective—but not more expensive—cell chemistries.

Look Ma, no driver Unmanned vehicles evolve quickly as processors, sensors improve performance. Calling all hydraulics engineers As the industry knows all too well, hydraulics engineers are hard to come by; a look at how companies are hiring, training, and, most important, retaining engineers. Making diesels quiet and clear Researchers look at the relative influence of gear design parameters on the rattle noise of a diesel engine timing gear train.

Biofuel opportunities and pitfalls Annual growth in biofuels has been strong but is expected to slow in the near future. User interfaces going mainstream Off-highway HMIs use consumer technologies to add functions, simplify tasks. Reducing the environmental impact of hydraulic systems OEMS and their suppliers are creating new hydraulic systems and components, using new fluids and remanufacturing to save energy and reduce the environmental impact of off-highway equipment. Multiple controllers add to EV complexity Model-based design has revolutionized the way products are developed, with design shifting from parts to the whole.

Hybrids step forward Electric and hydraulic systems trim fuel consumption and emissions, boost performance. Braking for safety Researchers developed a simplified ABS/EBS ECU test bench to research the brake force control function of the EBS system using HIL simulation technology. A metered look at dosing pumps High delivery accuracy, low weight, and dependably long life have made solenoid-operated pumps widely used in mobile applications.

Heavy-duty designs on aftertreatment The introduction of stringent EPA 2015 regulations for locomotive/marine engines and IMO 2016 Tier III marine engines precipitated the need to develop large diesel engine aftertreatment systems. Gaining control of damping Strong nonlinearities of hydraulic systems and the unpredictable operating conditions of the specific application (e.g., uneven ground, varying loads) are the main challenges to the development of satisfactory general vibration damping methods and controls. Getting real about test cycles Fuel consumption of working machines is strongly influenced by machine specification, working environment, and operator behavior, therefore a mix of several test cycles is necessary. The case for Class 8 hybrids Hybrid technology may not be the best solution for all heavy-truck applications, but a Caron Engineering expert explains how it can still benefit Class 8 vehicles.

Tackling biodiesel's technical challenges Caterpillar researchers are working to mitigate biodiesel's negative effects on engine components and aftertreatment systems. More for less Telematic systems are offering more features and functions for lower prices. Improving actuation speed and controllability With high-speed hydraulic proportional valves, the performance of existing cam phasing systems can be improved or the actuation mechanisms can be applied directly to engine valve actuation.

Heavy-duty engine design What are the most significant factors influencing the way engine developers approach near-term design and development cycles? Two experts provide their insights from recent programs. Reducing winter range loss for electric trucks Researchers at the Austrian Institute of Technology have developed an air exchange system that's capable of reducing heat load by 37% in real-world tests. Narrower focus, bigger payoff Design teams are targeting focused markets for their commercial electric-vehicle programs to combat challenges like range and infrastructure. Removing complexity for autonomous trucks Narrowing the operating domains for driverless commercial vehicles reduces the requirements of autonomous technology and speeds time to market. Plastics innovations 2019 The 49th annual SPE Automotive Awards highlight the ongoing benefits of lightweight polymers and composites.

Over-the-air affair Remote updating of software and firmware on commercial trucks and off-highway machines is on the rise, not only for maintenance functions but also to add new features like operator-assist technology. Developments in engine-based gensets With demand for generator sets steady and regulatory change settling, suppliers can rationalize their offerings and push improvements in areas like noise abatement and economy. Testing, testing and even more testing The commercial-vehicle market is eager to adopt more ADAS and automated-driving innovations, but before those technologies get to the road they must first pass rigorous testing practices that prove their efficacy. Smart and connected powertrains FPT Tech Day reveals multi-power Cursor X concept, other "4.0 innovations" for hydrogen fuel cell, electric and natural gas propulsion.

Connectivity continues its advance More OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are focusing on embedded telematic systems, hoping to displace aftermarket hardware. Tailoring fuel injection to control NOx The next big step to help heavy-duty diesel engines meet stricter emissions regulations involves adapting the fuel-injection system to the combustion needs. Active on safety Crash-avoidance technologies are vital "building blocks" to automate commercial vehicles, implement truck platooning and ultimately achieve zero accidents. Engineering with simulation and data Companies are discovering new simulation techniques, especially optimization; the next step is to combine simulation with sensor data and predictive analytics to create even more robust off-highway equipment.

Next-generation power Additional benefits for commercial customers may drive hybrid technology adoption. Shake and bake: a recipe for testing Vehicles, components endure much in-lab abuse before they enter the commercial-vehicle market. Fuel for thought The performance and emissions of a stationary single-cylinder diesel engine is evaluated using an ethanol blend with diesel and jet fuels.

Off-highway braking According to Mico, electrohydraulic braking controls can provide improved performance and add system features difficult to obtain with hydromechanical mechanisms. Keeping quiet Targeting off-highway and heavy-truck OEMs, Blachford claims its new acoustics laboratory will offer some testing capabilities previously only available to the passenger-car market. ADT marketing and manufacturing While it is not debatable that articulated dump trucks are a hot commodity, it is debatable how many are technologically unique. Proportional pressure reducing valves Engineers from Thomas magnete have designed pilot valves that work with electrohydraulics to simplify complex machine control systems.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Digging with precision Electronic technologies continue to transform the off-highway environment, all the way down to the components used to create electrohydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, and new additions, such as house controllers and sensors. Speeding up design Software automates more tasks, handles challenges. Together for a change On- and off-highway commercial vehicle industries converge at fourth-annual Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition.

A quiet revolution Optimizing design, while minimizing NVH, in off-highway equipment and systems. Inferential sensing Engineers propose an onboard electronics hardware and software architecture that can deliver condition-based maintenance solutions in a low-cost platform. Lightweight but heavy duty A look at the design, analysis, testing, and application engineering performed to develop a selectively reinforced brake drum made of aluminum metal matrix composite. Shifting gears smoothly Ric Kleine, a 30-year veteran of Cummins Inc. and former SAE Commercial Vehicle VP, seeks continuity over change as he moves into SAE's driver's seat.

Saving space To address packaging constraints in off-highway equipment, engineers developed a fuel vaporizer catalyst that makes for a more compact aftertreatment system. Steering toward safety A look at new technology concepts to overcome design issues inherent in adapting steering angle for heavy-duty applications. A fluid performance Researchers have developed a procedure to measure a fluid's effect on the degree to which mechanical power is efficiently converted to hydraulic power in pumps typical of off-highway applications.

What we have here is a desire to communicate Telematic service and equipment providers are racing to gain market share in what's expected to become a solid long-term market. Sizing up accumulators No other feature of a hydraulic hybrid has more effect on the end performance of the powertrain than the accumulator. modeling helps to provide specific guidance with regard to establishing pre-charge pressure. Beating a path to biodiesel Multiple pathways are being pursued to increase biodiesel use, reduce dependence on petroleum, and improve the environment, but the best route is not yet known.