Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Tech
Eaton developing hydraulic hybrid systems
by Jonathon Ramsey on Dec 26th 2008 at 4:33PM 
Eaton, a company primarily known for making superchargers that make your vehicle go like stink, but guzzle even more gas, is also in the series hydraulic hybrid (SHH) business. The drive system in a hydraulic hybrid replaces the conventional drivetrain; the engine is effectively rendered a "pump" for the hydraulics, and energy is stored in two different accumulators that then power the wheels. Fuel savings of 50-70% are achieved by the system being much lighter than a traditional drivetrain, along with regenerative braking and the fact that the engine can be turned off when stopped and when decelerating.The first real-world application of Eaton's SHH will be in a number of UPS delivery trucks next year. No auto manufacturer has any plans to create an SHH -- because of the lack of batteries, when the engine is cut off, electrical systems like the radio and climate control are also shut down. Eaten has a cooperative working agreement with the EPA to develop its hydraulic hybrid system, and has selected IBM to develop software to refine the system. Thanks for the tip, Gavin!
[Source: Eaton]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
la 4:53PM (12/26/2008)
How many times do you get to report something before it actually happens?
Also, Ford is experimenting with this for the f series.
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The Luigiian 5:11PM (12/26/2008)
Ford F-150 with 50-70% better fuel economy than current=my next vehicle.
Even if they only do it on the F-250, it would still be pretty cool to get that kind of mileage.
tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
I agree, this has to be the 6th time this has been reported between ABG and here.
Robert 12:31PM (12/27/2008)
Here's another behind-the-scene Alt-Energy project. Not so strangely, the prototype test vehicle will be a 1963 Ford F-150 which will likely get over 100MPG.
We are a small Southern California R&D company headed by, literally, a rocket scientist. We have developed a revolutionary pneumatic hybrid drive train using a brand new form of jet engine. We are assembling the prototype this week and will be testing the engine January 2009. Fuel savings will be in excess of 100% compared to today's drive trains. We are currently considering various strategic partners to bring this new technology to market. The applications within the automotive industry and beyond, are virtually endless. http://TheGreenEngine.com
miles 5:47PM (12/27/2008)
@ Robert
"Fuel savings will be in excess of 100% compared to today's drive trains."
So... you will need to empty the fuel tank every once in a while?
Aleksander 6:10PM (12/26/2008)
"No auto manufacturer has any plans to create an SHH -- because of the lack of batteries, when the engine is cut off, electrical systems like the radio and climate control are also shut down."
I don't get that line. In the link to the eaton site they say there is a diesel engine also.
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tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
Ya the whole report is a little wonk, this system is a replacement for the transmission in a normal truck, it doesn't replace the engine or anything to do with the electrical system. Perhaps AB would realize that if they read one of their many previous reports on this same announcement.
flychinook 6:35PM (12/26/2008)
They can't toss a standard automotive battery in there? It should be just fine for the 2-3 minutes that the car is at a stoplight..
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Matthew 7:03PM (12/26/2008)
The engine would run when the pressure drops below a specific point, irrespective of whether or not the vehicle is stationary.
spw 6:51PM (12/26/2008)
I dont get the line either - system has to have 12v powering electrical systems in the vehicle, so what the issue with using electrical ac like current hybrids do?
I mean if you cant have radio - that would mean that you wouldnt have standard 12v battery - is the vehicle then lacking all of modern electrical gadgets like electric windows, power steering, remote keyfob, etc, etc? Otherwise, that line makes no sense whatsoever.
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Matthew 7:37PM (12/26/2008)
It wouldn't be so hard to come up with a hydraulically driven compressor for an air conditioner. And the steering and brakes etc can be hydraulic.
That just leaves low load electrical devices such as audio, sat nat, power adjustable seat, power windows and mirrors, etc. These can be handled by a good alternator and a couple of batteries.
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ckm 1:04AM (12/27/2008)
I think there actually was a car made with hydraulic windows....
Matt 2:10AM (12/28/2008)
wasn't it that old Merc 600-something that Clarkson drove on Top Gear in the challenge against May in an old Rolls? Same as had been owned by Pol Pot, Saddam Hussein and a whole list of undesirable types...
Phi_1099 3:53AM (12/27/2008)
UPS is looking to deploy this system in their package cars really soon. The technology is promising especially for vehicles that experience extreme stop and go like a majority of UPS vehicles do.
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Sparkster 10:07AM (12/27/2008)
A friend of our's had an old Cadillac that had hydraulic window lifts that he could crush beer bottle caps between the glass and the window frame. Late 50's early 60"s caddy I believe.
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anoldbikeguy 10:38AM (12/27/2008)
This is really, really old news - I saw the prototypes at Eaton around six years ago.
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