Power management company Eaton will display its Vehicle Group's portfolio of internal combustion solutions for commercial vehicles Sept. 20-25 at the IAA Transportation show in Hannover, Germany, according to a company press release.
"Although the transition to electrification is progressing, OEMs continue to seek improvements in fuel emissions and consumption for internal combustion engines," said Traci Melville, SVP and GM of global products for Eaton's Vehicle Group. "In fact, according to KGP Powertrain Intelligence, there will be more than 30 million commercial vehicles produced with a diesel engine over the next decade."
Variable Valve Actuation technologies are flexible, reduce emissions
Eaton's Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) solutions are designed to be flexible and adaptable to any valvetrain architecture, allowing OEM customers to implement one or multiple functions that can significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and lower fuel use.
Cylinder deactivation aims to keep selective catalytic reduction (SCR) at optimal temperatures by operating just two or three cylinders rather than all six in light-load conditions. That effectively delivers higher exhaust temperatures from the functioning cylinders at low speeds and loads or when the truck is neutral coasting, two conditions that can quickly cool aftertreatment systems. Concurrently, cylinder deactivation also lowers fuel consumption.
Late intake valve closing is designed to improve the engine's thermal efficiency, enabling a higher compression ratio, which reduces CO2 emissions and increases exhaust gas temperature, which contributes to aftertreatment performance.
TVS EGR pump more controllable than pumpless EGR systems
Eaton's positive-displacement TVS exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pump is designed to enable the use of a high-efficiency turbo to reduce engine pumping losses and increase fuel economy. The TVS EGR pump is driven by a 48V electric motor, making it independent from engine speed and significantly more controllable than pumpless EGR systems.
Decompression engine brake compact integrates into small engines
Eaton's decompression engine brake technology is designed to enhance brake power in the full engine operating range and to be compact for easy integration into smaller engines.
Eaton's engine decompression brake is a valvetrain system with a mechanism to switch between driving and engine braking mode according to customer requirements and can be integrated into a standard assembly.
Eaton's valves operate in demanding engine applications
Eaton offers a portfolio of differing valves, including monometallic and bimetallic, solid and hollow sodium-cooled, seat-faced and coated, to provide a suitable solution for all vehicle applications. Eaton is developing new valve technologies for future commercial vehicles, including those with hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE). Unlike traditional diesel-powered commercial vehicle engines, hydrogen ICE powertrains can operate dry combustion at extremely elevated temperatures depending on engine calibration.
Eaton is supporting hydrogen applications and the next generation of diesel engines. One possible solution is a sodium-filled hollow valve, which enables internal cooling, according to the press release.
Eaton, Tenneco offer exhaust thermal management system to reduce emissions
Eaton and Tenneco launched a joint development agreement between Eaton's Vehicle Group and Tenneco's Clean Air business to produce an integrated exhaust thermal management system for commercial truck manufacturers to meet upcoming emissions regulations.
The integrated exhaust thermal management system provides heat directly to the vehicle's aftertreatment system to reduce exhaust emissions. Eaton's electrically driven TVS blower controls the airflow so the system can maintain optimal aftertreatment temperatures.
48V electric catalyst heater controller provides precise aftertreatment control
Eaton offers an air-cooled electric catalyst heater controller as part of its broader 48V electrical system portfolio. It contains several technologies that allow manufacturers to integrate 48V architectures into next-generation commercial vehicles. The controller manages the power delivered to the aftertreatment heater and is designed to receive commands from the aftertreatment system and provide soft-start and soft-stop capabilities for maintaining system voltage control.
48V DC-DC Converter for dual-voltage electrical systems
Eaton is developing a DC-DC Converter for 48V system architectures to enable future powertrains to comply with new emissions regulations and provide higher levels of electrical power for CO2 reduction and autonomous driving systems. Eaton's DC-DC converters are operational in ambient temperatures up to 85 degrees Celsius and boast 97% design efficiency, according to the press release.
Supercapacitors for 48V system power storage
Eaton has a current portfolio of supercapacitors for use in commercial vehicle applications, including 48V commercial vehicle systems. In addition, Eaton is developing technology to further increase the level of power and energy storage capacity in these products.
Supercapacitors can quickly charge and discharge at higher rates than lithium-ion batteries. While the size and weight are comparable to lithium-ion packs, supercapacitors don't retain high levels of energy in comparison, do not require a liquid cooling system and have a longer cycle life, according to the press release.
