Volvo Trucks used SuperTruck learnings to boost efficiency, performance in 2017 powertrains; wave piston, turbocompounding, injection
Volvo boost efficiency and performance in powertrains
Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its improved powertrain, which was conceived and engineered using significant lessons from its SuperTruck projects in order to boost fuel efficiency and performance for customers.
The wave piston, turbo compounding, and a common rail fuel injection system were all developed with help from the US Department of Energy's SuperTruck program (DOE).
The US DOE SuperTruck initiative is a cost-shared public-private partnership that promotes research and development to improve the effectiveness of heavy-duty Class 8 long-haul tractor-trailer vehicles in moving freight. The program intends to speed up the development of innovative efficiency technologies that are not yet available on the market.
The enhanced Volvo D11 and D13 engines, turbo compounding for the D13 engine, and a one-box Exhaust Aftertreatment System (EATS), all of which utilise elements expressly designed for the SuperTruck program, are all part of the Volvo powertrain portfolio.
The SuperTruck effort allowed for thorough investigation into a typical combustion chamber, which gave Volvo engineers the opportunity to try a unique piston design. Now that the piston bowl has "wave" bumps on the side, the fuel burns more effectively.
Through calculations and experiments, the precise design of the piston was improved, leading to notable gains in fuel efficiency and a sharp drop in soot output. The novel wave piston from Volvo improves fuel efficiency by up to 2.2 percent for the D11 and 2.5 percent for the D13 when combined with other engine modifications.
Thanks to the SuperTruck program, Volvo engineers were able to enhance the mechanics and aerodynamics of the gear train and turbine to guarantee peak performance in the "sweet spot" for Volvo's integrated powertrain solution, which includes the I-Shift automated manual transmission and downsped engines.
Common Rail fuel injection system. The common rail fuel injection system has been installed in the Volvo D11 and D13 engines. It enables higher injection pressure, which improves combustion and permits more exact control of the injection event.
Through the SuperTruck program, the fuel injection system was modified for the wave piston. Extensive engine testing and simulations led to the development of an injector with enhanced flow rate, spray angle, and pressure characteristics, enabling the engine to run more quietly and burn gasoline more efficiently.
The US DOE is starting SuperTruck II, a $80-million funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0001447) for more long-haul tractor-trailer truck technology research, development, and demonstration, subject to Congressional funding.
