The Diesel Truck “Big Rig” of the Future

April 30th, 2008 by admin

How will Trucks look in the future look? Lets see some real examples of innovations and prototypes. The most important aspect is the energy source. The energetic crisis and the pollution are the two axles for the engineers of the future.

Westport Innovation, a company specializing in environmental technologies, recently implemented the High Pressure Direct Injection technology for diesel trucks. This technology consists of a liquefied natural gas powered truck to reduce the gas emissions and economizes the fuel. The trucks have 400 hp Cummins ISX engines with Exhaust Gas Recirculation. That results in a quiet, efficient and clean travel.

The company Daimler Chrysler in Germany is also working on the fuel use and no pollution engines. Blue Tec is the name of the new technology according to the Daimler Chrysler web site. This technology combines the engine design with the Selective Catalytic Reduction which is a system to reduce the nitrogen oxides emissions. Blue Tech is a diesel technology specially designed for the truck division of Mercedes Benz.

Some leave the fuel alternatives to others and go for the rest of the engine, especially the Department of Energy. The idea is to separate parts such as the pumps, the alternators, compressors and such from the engine. This way you can transform those parts from gas to full electric. A cooler engine compartment will extend the life of the engine. Also the independent electrical powered parts would work more precisely.

Big manufacturing companies are collaborating with the Department of Energy such as Caterpillar, Kenworth, Emerson and Engineered Machine Products. The prototype is installed on a Kenworth truck and the experts could eliminate more than 65 parts by more precise and reliable components.

Now on to driver control. In the recent Volvo Showcase, the company demonstrated its new ESP system which helps the driver do what he does best, drive. The system perceives the maneuvers of the drivers and corrects the movements of the truck by braking the wheels or brings down the power of the engine.

The ESP system includes three cameras installed on the driver’s cab and in the steering wheels. The cameras are in charge of watching for the drowsiness of the driver and the inconstant maneuvers and it produces a warning to the driver.

The steering systems are also targeted by the innovators. For example, SKF proposed an electromechanical steering system instead of the conventional hydraulic system. This invention consists in a sequence of signals that tell the actuator to steer the wheels. The action is confirmed or adjusted by sensors and informed back to the driver. The advantages of the electromechanical system are to eliminate the hydraulic fluids so there would be no more high pressure leaks and less noise in the driver’s cab.

These continuous changes and improvements in the truck industry still keep function as the number one focus. The replacement of the human driver by a mechanic one is still considerably far away. Fortunately, that’s something for the future.

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Tags: Diesel Truck, , , , jobs, truck driving, trucking

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Trucking Industry Facing Hard Times

April 18th, 2008 by admin

More than 2000 trucking industry executives studied the main issues that United States truckers face. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) announced these issues in the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition held October 16 in Boston.

Among the issues that made the list were trucking security, environmental protection, insurance costs and the lack of drivers; but the leading concerns were the high cost of diesel and highway congestion.

According to Jim Stanley, chairman of the ATRI, the results of their studies also proposed strategies that will help the American Trucking Associations (ATA) focus in taking a larger role in defense of the U.S. trucking industry.

Every issue has a certain level of complexity that tends to change constantly. The ATRI information is invaluable because it can determine which problem matters the most to motor carriers and the solutions that the ATA should seek.

The rise in oil prices caused a record increase in the price of diesel. With the outcome of hurricanes Katrina and Rita prices exceeded $3 a gallon.

Highway congestion comes from the misuse of federal highway funds which disables the states abilities to build new highways. Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations said that: Since 1980, highway traffic has doubled, but highway capacity has increased only 3 percent. Todays highways are choked with traffic. Todays economy demands more trucks to haul more freight.

Analysts predicted that in 2016 the trucking industry will transport 13 billion tons of freight, 3 billion more than in 2004 when truckers hauled 10 billion tons.

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Tags: demands, , , , economy, jobs, trucks

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Peterbilt Trucks The Birth of a Legend

April 16th, 2008 by admin

T.A. Peterman had an inner passion: trucks. Despite this fact there was a time when he felt that he couldnt find a truck of his liking and thats when he decided to build his own truck.

In 1939 he acquired the Fageol Truck and Coach Factory. Peterman wanted to have a place where he could modify old trucks at his will and this plant served his purpose. He began to envision the standard that he wanted for his trucks, with this concept in mind he built a truck with the best quality ever seen.

His design began to give him a reputation. He kept manufacturing trucks and branded them Peterbilt (name of a line of wooden doors that one of his companies manufactured).

During World War II, T.A. decided to pursue government contracts for heavy duty trucks instead of assembling combat vehicles. Unfortunately T.A. Peterman died from cancer after the War. Ida, his widow took care of his business affairs.

The direction of the company took a different turn in 1946 when five of the companys main employees and outside investors purchased Peterbilt Motors from Ida Peterman for $450 000.

L.A. Lundstrum was named President of Peterbilt Motors and their development continued; by 1947 their income surpassed $4 500 000 while trucks were manufactured on a daily basis.

Pacific Car and Foundry Company (PACCAR) acquired Peterbilt Motors in 1958 as an unincorporated division.

Today T.A. Petermans dream is more alive than ever, Peterbilt continues to progress as new challenges lie ahead. The company maintains Petermans original vision: the manufacture of high quality, innovative heavy duty trucks that surpass customer needs and expectations.

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Tags: companies, , , , driving, jobs, trucker

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