Parker Hannifin announces hybrid system commitment

Parker Hannifin has announced initial commercial commitment for its hydraulic hybrid system, which is designed to completely replace the traditional drive train on delivery vehicles.

The system has yielded significantly increased fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) spearheaded the submittal of these winning applications, which will support the purchase of 638 hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

The systems will be purchased by DTNA subsidiary, Freightliner Custom Chassis and incorporated into delivery vehicle models intended for use by United Parcel Service.

Field testing of the system has indicated that the hydraulic system is capable of generating as much as a 50 to 70 per cent increase in miles per gallon in stop-and-go applications when compared with traditional diesel powered vehicles that have automatic transmissions.

The engine is not connected to the rear wheels of the vehicle.

This de-coupling of the engine from the drive wheels offers advantages including: the ability to recover and store energy from braking, thus reducing brake wear; an engine management system that optimises the vehicle's engine for reduced fuel consumption; drive the vehicle with the engine off, significantly reducing carbon emissions in depots and at delivery points, contributing to reduced fuel consumption.

The Parker series hydraulic hybrid system stores energy recovered during the braking process in an advanced accumulator.

The energy stored in the accumulator is then used to accelerate the vehicle on the next launch.

Once that energy is depleted, the engine is restarted.

Unlike electric-hybrid systems that store energy in a battery, the series hydraulic hybrid can recover and reuse as much as 70 per cent of the energy used from braking that would otherwise be lost energy.

By comparison, traditional electric systems can recover only 20 to 25 per cent of brake energy.

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