2013 Audi A3

Eaton reveals details for hydraulic hybrid system

 
6 2,770 views Dec 27, 2008

The system uses fluid to transfer the engine’s torque to the wheels instead of a conventional drive-shaft

The system uses fluid to transfer the engine’s torque to the wheels instead of a conventional drive-shaft

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Automotive parts supplier Eaton is best known for its forced induction systems, but now the company has unveiled details behind a product that it claims can improve fuel economy by "between 50 and 70%".

Known as the 'series hybrid hydraulic system', Eaton has revealed the new technology is being developed jointly with the Environmental Protection Agency under a Cooperative Research and Development agreement, giving the company some credibility in its claims.

Eaton explained that in a series hybrid hydraulic system, the conventional transmission and driveline in a vehicle are replaced by a hybrid hydraulic powertrain, which allows energy to be transferred from the engine to the drive wheels through fluid power.

The vehicle uses hydraulic pump/motors and hydraulic storage tanks to recover and store energy, similar to what is done with electric motors and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles. In a series hybrid hydraulic system, Eaton claims that fuel economy improvements of between 50 and 70% are achieved in three ways - through utilization of braking energy that normally is wasted, more efficient engine operation and a stop/start system for the engine when it is not in use.

The system combines a high-efficiency diesel engine with its hydraulic propulsion system and uses a continuously variable transmission in order to keep the fuel consumption levels at a minimum. Consumer applications for the technology are currently still under development, however the system is expected to be trialled in a number of UPS trucks sometime next year.



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Comments (6)

  1. ma_mburleigh8 avatar mburleigh8 Posted: 12/28/2008 7:09pm PST

    Wow, cool hope it can really work.
     
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  2. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 12/29/2008 4:58am PST

    ive been suggesting it for a while and its nice to see some one is looking into this. would be great for getting better mileage without adding too much weight. i suspect that to make a similar electric hybrid would result in much more weight in the form of batteries.

    even if it were successful, i still think that electric hybrid drive systems would still be better in the long run. much more potential. electric cars have to go to market.
     
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  3. ma_I am the Doctor avatar I am the Doctor Posted: 12/29/2008 9:13am PST

    ive been suggesting it for a while and its nice to see some one is looking into this. would be great for getting better mileage without adding too much weight. i suspect that to make a similar electric hybrid would result in much more weight in the form of batteries.

    even if it were successful, i still think that electric hybrid drive systems would still be better in the long run. much more potential. electric cars have to go to market.

    yeah a hydraulic system can only store so much energy before it gets so massive it would make even batteries look light. but for mild hybrids it's better.

    and how about a 3-way hybrid? small hydraulic system for regeneration, batteries for the around-towning and a fuel engine for distance? that sounds cool, but probably too complex and expensive i guess
     
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  4. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 12/29/2008 11:46am PST

    too complex, expensive.. and heavy.

    the thing that i like about the volt is its going to get consumers to realize that for the most part they dont need a lot of range.. and even if you drove for a long range trip.. how many people drive 400 miles.. get out to fill up the tank.. and then drive away? no.. you go to the washroom.. get some food.. etc.

    the point is the volt will get people in electric cars.. and then eventually that engine is going to be replaced by batteries. thats my hope anyways.

    but hydraulics (done well) will sell in the interim. electric is still expensive. its in its infancy. hydraulics are used all over the place.
     
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  5. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 12/29/2008 2:34pm PST

    Like the theory, but Chris is right, it is too heavy, and expensive.
     
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  6. ma_Edmar avatar Edmar Posted: 1/5/2009 3:02pm PST

    Chris is only partly right. This system is bulky for the auto driver and could probablly never be downsized to fit the Prius of Volt in any efficent manner. However our cities and towns are also full of delivery vehicles which need to be larger, and they have the undercarriage room to carry and utilize this system. We can not all drive a small car. Why not develop a drive system for those, who are in essense, our support team. Remember, we will never get the working trucks off our roads. ED
     
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