Lower Drivetrain Parasitic Losses Reduction - Phase 2
A project that sought to cut the amount of parasitic losses in HDV lower drivetrain systems by 50%.
About the project
- Sought to cut the amount of parasitic losses in HDV lower drivetrain systems by 50%
- HDV drivetrains accounted for more than 10% of overall vehicle energy losses
- Project focused on gears, bearings, surface treatments, lubricant flow and lubricant composition
This project looked to improve the efficiency of HDVs by cutting the amount of parasitic losses in the lower drivetrain system by 50%. Parasitic losses - that were caused by the churning of the lubricating oil and component friction - in HDVs and off-road vehicle drivetrains accounted for more than 10% of overall vehicle energy losses.
Started in July 2012, with an investment of £2.1m from the ETI, the consortium included Romax Technology, Castrol Ltd and ANSYS Inc.
The project looked to improve overall system design, with a synergistic focus on gears, bearings, surface treatments, lubricant flow and lubricant composition. Technologies advanced and developed in this project were made available to be utilised across a portfolio of HDVs including HGVs, coaches, buses, tractors, wheeled loaders and articulated quarry trucks.
