Cummins engines

Oct. 1, 2005
CUMMINS Inc announced during the Great American Trucking Show that its 2007 on-highway heavy-duty engine field test program is well underway, on schedule,

CUMMINS Inc announced during the Great American Trucking Show that its 2007 on-highway heavy-duty engine field test program is well underway, on schedule, and providing valuable information.

Conducted across a wide range of applications, duty cycles, and geographic locations in North America, the field tests provide a good look at how the Cummins technology approach to the 2007 emission requirements is working. The joint original equipment manufacturer (OEM) field tests also are validating new cooling packages and installations.

“Cummins worked with our OEM partners to jointly select customers that run more demanding duty cycles for the aftertreatment,” said Steve Charlton, Cummins executive director and technical leader for the 2007 heavy-duty program. “This allows us to gain valuable real-time data on the particulate filter performance so we can further optimize the integrated package.”

Cummins began some of the first field tests on engines targeted for the 2007 model year back in 2004. These tests used pre-production engines operated and monitored by engineers from the Cummins Technical Center. The program was extended to major fleet customers during the first half of 2005.

Each vehicle in the current field test is equipped with a computer that continuously samples and analyzes data. Automated scripts translate the data into graphs that make it easy to identify trends. If the script identifies an out-of-bounds parameter, it will notify the appropriate component engineer for a prompt review.

Information also comes directly from the drivers of the field test vehicles. Drivers complete a daily checklist, noting fluid levels such as oil and coolant. Checklist information is forwarded to the Cummins engineers once a week.

Particulate filter performance has been one of the focal points of the field tests. The company said previously that it would meet the more stringent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards for 2007 by integrating a particulate filter with the cooled exhaust gas recirculation engine technology.

The Cummins particulate filter, developed and manufactured by Fleetguard Emissions Solutions, a Cummins subsidiary, reduces particulate emissions by greater than 90% from current levels, according to Cummins officials. The filter automatically collects and burns particulates. When there is not sufficient heat in the exhaust, the engine control module initiates an active regeneration event so the catalytic reaction can take place.