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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CDL Test General Information Class A, B, C

April 8th, 2008 by admin

If you want to become a truck driver and enter the transportation industry, there are several requirements that you must fulfill. A lot of companies will pay for your training but you need to know what may be expected of you. Most Trucking Companies will ask that you are at least 21 years of age for interstate driving or 18 years old for intrastate driving. They also require you to pass the DOT physical exam, a drug test screen exam and ask that you posses a valid driver license issued in the state in which you live. But the most universal requirement of them all is the Commercial Driver License (CDL). If you do not have this permit you can not drive trucks of more than 26,000 lbs hauling capacity. Even if you have experience on the transportation business you must have this permit.

The CDL test is divided in two sections: the General Knowledge Test and the Road Driving Test. The first part is a written test which includes subjects like endorsements, air brakes, cargo vehicles, combination vehicles, hazardous materials, passenger vehicles, tank vehicles, school bus endorsement and doubles and triples.

The second part is the driving test which includes: pre-trip inspection and on the road driving skills. There are some practical techniques that you can practice that will help you to prepare to pass the CDL test. First, establish a study schedule. This allows you to maximize your studying time. A good technique for this is to study one hour before work and then one hour after work but if you do not work yet the best moment to study is in the morning when your mind is fresh. Later, do a review in the afternoon and quiz yourself. It is best that you not study very late at night as you will not retain the information as well. Just do not wait to study until the last moment! You can not rush memory skills. It takes time and dedication.

After you get your CDL and are ready to work, there are other requirements/endorsements that you may be required to pass. This depends on the kind of truck that you are going to drive, or the kind of job you are going to do.

One common requirement is the airbrakes endorsement which is required for people who are going to operate a vehicle with airbrakes, which may include buses and/or trailers. Hazardous material endorsements (required to operate trucks that transport hazmat) are also very common. For this endorsement you must know all the rules and regulations about the transportation of this freight. Passenger endorsement is necessary to drive vehicles designed to move 16 or more people including the driver but most truck drivers will probably not be required to pass this. Another is cargo endorsement for people interested in hauling cargo. This mainly covers various safety rules. There is also a combination vehicle endorsement which is required for people who are going to drive vehicles such like tractors and trailers. Truck drivers may also be required to pass doubles and triple endorsements (to pull two or three trailer combinations, it also requires special skills) and tank vehicle endorsement (required for hauling liquids, this requires special training because the center of gravity and the movement of the liquid may cause a roll over more easy than other vehicles).

Visit
http://www.us-truck-driving-schools.com and submit your contact information to Trucking Schools all over the US. We offer CDL Trainingand Information.

Tags: CDL Test, , , , , , Class A, class B, class C, truck driving, trucking

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