New Generation; Cat’s electrifying power project

Caterpillar’s electronics division is working on a stunning new way to drive your air conditioner, air compressor, and other accessories using electricity instead of belts and gears running off the engine.

Called MorElectric, the project-expected to come to market in 2004-promises significant fuel efficiency and reliability improvements regardless of the engine make. The company says MorElectric can provide heating, cooling, and accessory power-including battery charging-without needing to idle the engine. Trucks will be equipped to use shore power wherever it’s available, and an optional onboard auxiliary power unit will provide cab comfort where plug-ins don’t exist.

The core of the system is a high-efficiency flywheel generator/starter residing in the clutch housing to provide electrical power to the heating/air-conditioning system, air compressor, and oil and water pumps. One key advantage is that electric power allows the use of a modular HVAC unit that replaces 65 separate parts and-like the pumps and compressors-can be placed anywhere on the truck. A sealed unit, it should eliminate refrigerant leaks while being generally 10 times more reliable. Other modular systems will be developed, the company says.

The fuel gains will come from eliminating the need to idle your engine and also from reducing the parasitic horsepower losses represented by those accessories your engine now has to drive. Cat is aiming for an 18 per cent overall fuel-use reduction and says it should be at least 9 per cent.

The reliability gains will come partly because of the sealed HVAC unit, but also because the various pumps and compressors will operate using a “flow on demand” approach-that is, only as needed. The company also says its goal is to reduce the heat load on the radiator by 11 to 23 per cent.

The technology is a collaborative effort led by Cat Electronics in a research partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Kenworth, Engineered Machined Products, and Emerson Electronics.