Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - February 2021 - 12

BIGGER
PROCESSORS,
smaller

engines
Detroit monitors
GPS and navigation
to help the engine
improve efficiency.

Engine designers are using
electronics, networks to
downsize engines while upping
performance, efficiency and NVH
characteristics.

by Terry Costlow

12 February 2021

operate with higher cylinder pressure and higher compression ratios, " said Stu Russoli, Mack Trucks' highway
product manager. " We also have an oil system that can
operate on lower-viscosity oils to reduce friction losses,
and control strategies that coordinate our integrated
engine and transmission package to maximize time
spent in the sweet spot for fuel economy. "

Devil in the details
The power of modeling and simulation tools lets engineers dig into the finer points of design. Specialists
can focus on seemingly minor factors that can bring
major improvements. For example, some members of
Deere's team improved wiring efficiency.
" Proper design and integration can make significant
improvements in increasing the overall reliability of the
engine and its electronics, " said Ashlee Klingaman,
manager, product planning and marketing, John Deere
Power Systems. " When designing the 13.6-L engine,
we made sure to integrate the electronics and the wiring harness right from the start. The integrated wiring
harness is tighter to the engine and protects wiring
during assembly and service, improving reliability and
reducing vibration. "
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

DETROIT

ngine designers are advancing electronic control systems to
eliminate components and generate more power from smaller
engines. They also are leveraging networks to integrate transmissions, global satellite inputs and navigation to further improve fuel efficiency.
The push to improve efficiency starts in the minutia of combustion
and engine design and extends to integration with other vehicle systems. Engineering enhancements also are making cabs quieter as
they work to maximize the burning of every drop of fuel.
" Electronics can take the place of many traditional mechanical
pieces, so we have integrated or eliminated many of the smaller and
more powerful electronic pieces in certain components so you don't
need to have as many mechanical movements, " said Johan
Agebrand, product marketing director, Volvo Trucks North America.
" Many times, those are the sources for vibrations and noises. And the
more compact we make our engine package also leads to more
weight savings as well. "
Electronic actuators that respond to changing operating conditions
can provide precise control of injection timing and pressure, as well
as the correct ratio of fresh air and recirculated exhaust. As electronics advance, engineers also are fine-tuning mechanical components
to help engines deliver more power and trim size. Together, all these
changes yield more time running at optimal levels.
" Mack has developed piston bowl designs that improve the efficiency of the combustion in each cylinder, robust components that can

Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - February 2021

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