Cummins Turbo Technologies, a global engineering leader in turbocharger technology, unveiled a suite of near-market and future solutions capable of improving the fuel efficiency of any modern diesel engine by at least 6% for the first time in North America at the 2013 Mid- America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky.
The shift in focus—from emissionsdriven innovation toward solutions that prioritize fuel economy—highlights Cummins Turbo Technologies’ belief that the industry has now reached the tipping point at which global engine and vehicle manufacturers are developing products designed to insulate customers from rising fuel prices.
Mark Firth, Cummins executive director, product line management and marketing, says: “Our close working relationship with customers has informed the research and development that is shaping our future product range and has led to the creation of technologies that we revealed at MATS.
“Holset turbochargers are the component of choice for many international automotive customers because we don’t simply provide them with off-the-shelf products. We develop advanced technological solutions that are fit for market; in other words, they are developed in partnership to meet customers’ specific requirements.” The trend toward downsizing— which sees engine and vehicle manufacturers aiming to maintain or increase the power outputs from their products while making them smaller and lighter—represents a significant engineering challenge. Among the next-generation technologies discussed at MATS:
• A Waste Heat Turbine Expander prototype, which captures what would otherwise be lost energy in the form of heat, from a number of sources onboard the vehicle, and turns it into useful mechanical 34-horsepower (25 kW) power that is capable of reducing vehicle fuel consumption by 5% and delivering fuel savings of up to $5,500 per annum.
• A next-generation VGT Turbocharger based on a validated platform that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual customers easily, and that is 4.4 pounds (two kilograms) lighter than the model it replaces. It substantially lowers initial cost while featuring a high-efficiency compressor stage, delivering improved fuel economy.
• An inverse impeller that replaces conventional designs and, through the use of flow optimization software, has the capability to improve compressor stage efficiency by 1% on its own, delivering a $160 per-annum fuel savings for on-highway applications.
• A super map width enhancement collar that enhances map width by 15% and facilitates engine downsizing, improves driveability, widens the operating range, aids efficiency mapping and delivers fuel savings.
• Rolling element bearings— Cummins Turbo Technologies has developed its own high-durability, low-friction ball-bearing solution that improves both transient response and lowers fuel consumption, delivering a 1% improvement in overall turbocharger efficiency.
• Holset Rotary Turbine Control (RTC)—Patented flow- channelling technology that directs exhaust gas to selected ports, for limited exhaust control capability. RTC is integrated into the turbine housing within Cummins Turbo Technologies Modulated two-stage (M2) and Serial two-stage (S2) products.
Firth added, “We are known for providing a wide range of innovative, reliable and durable turbochargers that can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of vehicles and engines, so we will also be exhibiting our latest US 2013-2014-compliant products for customers seeking more immediate solutions to forthcoming emissions targets. These competitive, marketproven products and technologies draw on our 60-year history of innovation and engineering excellence to deliver savings without compromising on performance.”