Eaton Corporation's Procision Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission won the 2016 Technical Achievement Award from the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA). The award was presented during the Technology & Maintenance Council's (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Nashville TN.
Eaton's medium-duty, seven-speed Procision is the first commercial vehicle transmission in North America to make use of dual-clutch technology. A dual-clutch transmission combines the gear efficiency of a manual with the smooth shifting of an automatic. It consists of two independent but interlocked manual transmissions, each with its own independent clutch. Electronically controlled and hydraulic-actuated gear changes are achieved by pre-selecting the correct gear and "swapping" torque between the two clutches.
"Each of this year's contenders brought some real innovation to the table,” said Jim Park, chairman of the TWNA Technical Achievement Award committee. “The committee felt Eaton's Procision transmission represented the biggest change from business-as-usual and therefore earned the distinction of most innovative product of the year."
Eaton's Procision was chosen from five finalists through an elimination process that started with more than a dozen products. The four other finalists were Detroit Assurance safety system from Daimler Trucks North America; Meritor WABCO SmartTrac automatic trailer lift axle control system; Phillips Industries LITE-SENTRY trailer-chassis light monitoring system; and Silver Eagle Manufacturing's T-Dolly adjustable trailer converter dolly.
“Eaton is honored to receive this award from the Truck Writers of North America,” said Jim Michels, manager, Global Business Communications, Eaton Vehicle Group. “This recognition is the result of a dedicated, cross-functional team working together to bring Procision to the marketplace in order to provide our customers with a truly innovative product that will meet and exceed their unique and diverse needs.”