Volvo says its new excavator technology, which cuts fuel consumption, will be more widely available in the near future
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A Volvo EC300E 30 tonne excavator used as a test bed for the technology
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Volvo CE’s Common Pressure Rail Hybrid System – a electro-hydraulic actuator applied to excavators that cuts fuel consumption and Co2 emissions, has received the Volvo Technology Award 2021.
The Common Pressure Rail Hybrid System was first announced by Volvo in December of last year as a collaboration with Finnish hydraulics manufacturer Norrhydro. The project was a closely guarded development which Volvo hoped would have industry-wide sustainability implications.
Nearly one year on, the technology has undergone customer trials in the field as a real-world solution and is now expected to be introduced across Volvo CE’s larger excavator range.
Volvo says the technology will be available to the excavator market in the near future.
Volvo Group CTO, Lars Stenqvist, says the technology will offer customers a more productive, fuel-efficient alternative in the market,
“This innovation enables Volvo CE to offer its customers a truly unique electro-hydraulic solution, pushing fuel efficiency to new levels,” Stenqvist says.
“It’s demonstrating the passion of our engineers to bring forward customer-oriented solutions and systems that will drive the transformation towards net-zero emissions operations.
Also, it’s again an example of our strength working in partnerships and achieving amazing results.”
The Common Pressure Rail Hybrid System offers operators and organisations a way to reduce energy losses in hydraulics, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and carbon emission friendly fleet.
All machine work functions are connected to a hydraulic energy storage in the new system’s architecture via a common pressure rail which itself is comprised by two or more pressure lines.
The energy storage which encompasses hydraulic accumulators, recovers kinetic energy and peak power supply in the hydraulic systems. In the case of cylinder-driven functions, ‘smart actuators’ are used to convert hydraulic power to a variable force and speed. This system also allows energy to be recovered in the machine’s rotating loads.
Energy losses, along with the power contribution from hydraulic accumulators, generate a small power source which can be used while also lessening the need for cooling. When power boasts a higher availability, cycle times can be shortened.
“The potential in the innovation has been a strong driver for us in the project, making it an exciting journey to be part of, as we see the significant benefits it will offer for our customers and help build the world we want to live in,” says Volvo CE research engineer, Kim Heybroek.
The Volvo Technology award recognises outstanding technical advances throughout the organisation.