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Integration helps fuel push for conservation As rising fuel prices and looming environmental regulations bring fuel economy to the fore, hydraulic system developers are pitching in to improve efficiency and help conserve precious resources. Simulating hydraulic valve pressure drop CFD software is being used more and more frequently during the design of off-highway systems and components. 2006 Commercial Vehicle Congress Preview International Truck and Engine executives head the charge for "positive industry change" at SAE's third Congress for the on-and off-highway communities. Position sensing in machine controls As performance requirements for off-highway equipment become more demanding, the need for greater control of motion and power grows as well.

Making sense of engines Heavy-duty equipment is known for its ruggedness in harsh environments, but vehicles are not neglecting their sensitive side. The world's fastest digger gets closer JCB's Dieselmax goes 350 mph and teaches engineers much about engine capability, extreme testing, and program management. The whole system, and nothing but the system Properly implemented, an electrohydraulic system can add a great deal of automatic control, advanced performance, advanced diagnostics, and remote monitoring to a mobile application. Regenerative hydraulics The use of multiple hydraulic pumps can satisfy the needs of various circuits in off-highway equipment. The gas is greener Biofuels promise to help reduce petroleum cinsumption and CO2 emissions, but much of the potential depends on production and infrastructure investments. Material returns Effective use of materials information is important to engineers in development of parts and components.

Transforming the cab Digital displays, networks provide more info in less space. What regulators take away, engineers have to put back better A marriage of electronic control and hydraulic power is helping OEMs and end-users maintain traditional diesel efficiency while meeting ever more stringent emissions requirements. Top technologies of 2006 A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year. Smooth operators New technology allows engineers to create innovative seat and cab suspension designs that no longer just control vibration, but manage vibration.

Designs on electronics On-chip memories and new architectures change control functions. Seeing green Environmental and cost benefits are driving the adoption of bio-based and other 'eco' materials. Closing the loop on marine propulsion design Researchers develop tools for rapid prototyping and analysis of distributed safety-critical systems. Promoting from within After serving a three-year term as Vice President-Automotive, Rich Schaum, Chrysler's former product development chief, becomes the new face of SAE International.

Putting tractors to the test Southwest Research Institute offers manufacturers a ready-made R&D laboratory and the test programs to push their machines to the limit. Leave the driving to us Military programs explore autonomy to lighten operator workloads. Easy on the operator Off-highway OEMs and suppliers want to make life as easy-and productive- as possible for the people running the equipment. Tough testing for tomorrow's demands The off-highway industry is moving toward a new era of legislation and environmental pressures, making test centers increasingly important.

Help from above Cell towers and satellites enable people to keep equipment running. Cleaner and quieter diesels To meet tightening regulations, engineers are tasked with adding more and more components and systems to take away more and more emissions. Connecting sensors Suppliers and road construction OEMs have teamed to develop an application profile for sensor interfaces.

Electrifying the future Hybrid-electric systems development is heating up in the truck and off-highway equipment industries as OEMs plan to satisfy a wide variety of customers. Shrinking world extends design teams Whether the world is becoming flat or just shrinking, its change is posing a challenge for engineers who have to design bigger products with flat manpower budgets. Cutting costs with COTS Streamlining design and manufacturing processes for accelerated wire harness development for off-highway equipment.

Digging with precision Electronic technologies continue to transform the off-highway environment, all the way down to the components used to create electrohydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, and new additions, such as house controllers and sensors. Speeding up design Software automates more tasks, handles challenges. Together for a change On- and off-highway commercial vehicle industries converge at fourth-annual Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition.

Taking control Improved displays and software give operators better insight into hydraulic systems. Making sense for electronic engines Sensors help engines boost performance while meeting emissions requirements.

Economies of (drivetrain) scale Emissions challenges continue, but engine and transmission technology is advancing solutions and improving vehicle systems intergration. Searching for real-world responses Prototype testing is constantly changing as electronic technologies help transform equipment; design processes adjust as digital development evolves. Hydraulic brakes on one hand, air brakes on the other Building a better brake system had continued to challenge engineers for more than a century, as a changing world has demanded correspondingly advanced brake technology. Top technologies of 2007 A look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year.

No stopping global design Global teams ride down the cyber highway. Engines play clean in the flight to meet increasing regulations Sensors, faster CPUs help reduce emissions while maintaining performance. Hydraulics have the power to control The latest generation of hydraulic systems provides an effective alternative to other forms of motion control. A home away from home Technology advances help to make equipment operators more comfortable- and more and more productive- in hte field, in the pit, and on the job site. Ryan's 'Research' put to good use The Southwest Research Institute engineer assumes SAE President duties for 2008. Biofuel effects As the off-highway industry in Europe prepares for the introduction of biofuel, specialists are attempting to anticipate potential mechanical and chemical problems it may bring to powertrain systems and component operation- and prepare the answers.

In search of the perfect burn The simultaneous download pressures on NOx and PM continue to make research into higher injection pressures and alternative combustion solutions such as homogenous-charge compression ignition attractive. One way to stop a train A new self-energizing electrohydraulic brake offers the advantages of hydraulic brake actuation without the disadvantages of a centralized hydraulic power supply. A model combustion: from art to science Analysis tools, advanced hardware provide insight into combustion process, refining the cylinder's 'big bang.' The datalinked vehicle In the fields and on the job site with GPS.

Engineering a cleaner off-highway world As engine manufacturers gear up to meet the next round of stringent emissions standards, equipment manufacturers are reviewing a number of design possibilities. Plugging in for safety Electronics dig deep to help protect operators and equipment. Leveraging the best of both worlds Combustion and aftertreatment technologies help engine manufacturers balance performance with emissions reduction.

Communication helps make sense of problems Sensors that link engines and hydraulics to the outside world provide data that can be used to analyze performance and the cause of failures. Characteristics of multiple injections A look at the effects that pilot-injection fuel quantity and timing have on light-duty engine emissions. Hybrid innovations for hydraulic braking Exploring new technologies for recovering kinetic energy from braking.

Shrinking hydraulics The push to conserve fuel and reduce emissions is prompting major changes in system design. Aftertreatment temperature control Regeneration of a DPF burns off soot, but also raises exhaust gas temperature. Speed thrills: doing more tests in less time Quicker data gathering, simulation keep quality high despite time crunch. Green engineering The quest to alleviate environmental and efficiency pressures turns up 'small' material solutions with big benefits. A global forum Cummins executives lay the groundwork for a lively and informative discussion at this year's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition.

Tying it all together Networks link control modules to bring more features and functions to the job site. Collaboration tools spread a wide net PLM suppliers are offering new tools that aid collaboration, expanding on core offerings in PDM, CAD, and CAE. The drive toward a hybrid transmission In-wheel hydraulic motors, hydraulic transformers, and a common pressure rail with accumulators put new meaning in the word drivetrain. A deep dive into metallurgical failure Even with the best engineering processes and quality planning, deviations can occur with the incoming material, things can go wrong during the manufacturing process, and service conditions can be different than expected. Standards and 'coopetition' In the heavy-duty vehicle arena, adoption of standards for networking benefits everyone.

Electrohydraulic engineers embrace integration Software improvements help both engineers and operators as architectures evolve. Indestructible from the start OEMs and suppliers are investing in testing equipment, facilities, and software to ensure proper performance of components prior to being placed in the field. To 2010 and beyond Engineers working on emissions-control systems for heavy-duty engines already are preparing for ever more stringent regulations later next decade. Top Technologies of 2008 The editors look back at some of the most significant technological innovations during the past year according to readers.

Whistle down the wire Collaboration between OEMs and suppliers leads to new advances, and challenges, for electrohydraulic system control. Chipping away at drivetrain challenges Chips, sensors, controllers, software all combine to help engineers improve efficiency. Engineering disciplines unite Design tools help disparate groups provide input throughout the development process. Innovative thinking 101 West Virginia University professor Dr. James E. Smith issues a call for innovation as one of the central themes of his term as SAE's 2009 President.