An array of options for powertrain.THE BENEFIT OF CONSOLIDATIONS Oil Module with Plastic Housing from Mann+Hummel hummel entire, naturally polled deer. (Portage Portage (1, 2 pôr`təj; 3 pôr`tĭj). 1 Town (1990 pop. 29,060), Porter co., NW Ind., a suburb of Gary, on Lake Michigan; inc. 1959. , MI; www.mannhummelauto.com) WHAT IS IT? A single plastic module that combines filtration, oil pressure control, oil cooling Oil cooling is the principle behind the device oil cooler. It refers to a process whereby heat is displaced from a 'hotter' object, into a cooler oil. The oil carrying the displaced heat usually passes through a cooling unit such as a radiator or less commonly a gas decompresser. , and crankcase crank·case n. The metal case enclosing the crankshaft and associated parts in a reciprocating engine. crankcase Noun the metal case that encloses the crankshaft in an internal-combustion engine ventilation. HOW DOES IT WORK? A plastic center tube forms a unit with the oil filter cover, and provides the locating point for the replaceable paper filter element. Free from any gaskets or metal structures, this paper element can be disposed of easily and ecologically. The heat exchanger is mounted on the flange flange (flanj) a projecting border or edge; in dentistry, that part of the denture base which extends from around the embedded teeth to the border of the denture. flange n. 1. of the plastic module, and taps into the car's cooling system for its water flow. Oil comes up-to-temperature more quickly after a cold start, and remains cooler under load. A specially designed valve--separate from the multiple bypass valves used in extreme conditions-maintains the proper oil flow, while a baffle separator reduces the oil content of the blow-by gasses. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES? Injection molding is used to produce a complex geometry module that can be adapted to fit into small spaces around the engine in order to improve packaging efficiency. The module also is lighter than the die-cast aluminum parts it replaces. Plus, Mann+Hummel claims the quicker production process and reduced post-processing makes this module more cost-effective. VW currently uses the design on its 2.0-liter FSI FSI Foreign Service Institute FSI Fluid Structure Interaction FSI Fuel Stratified Injection FSI Federazione Scacchistica Italiana (Italian Chess Federation) FSI Free Standing Insert FSI Flight Simulator four-cylinder gasoline engines. GOING BIGGER WITH REINFORCED NYLON Thermoplastic A polymer material that turns to liquid when heated and becomes solid when cooled. There are more than 40 types of thermoplastics, including acrylic, polypropylene, polycarbonate and polyethylene. Air Intake Manifold from Nissan, Montaplast of North America and DuPont Automotive (Troy, MI; www.automotive.dupont.com/en/index.html) WHAT IS IT? A thermoplastic air intake manifold for the Nissan North American-produced 5.6-liter V8 used for the Titan pickup, and Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs. HOW WAS IT DEVELOPED? This was a cross-company development program, with the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and and the suppliers contributing engineering capabilities (e.g., Montaplast quickly developing tooling; Du? ont providing material computer analysis know-how). HOW IS IT MADE? A lost-core system is used. The runners are formed in eight stacked cores. The manifold is sealed with a spin-welded end cap (which also serves as a mounting bracket for the vacuum brake booster). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES? Montaplast optimized performance of this sizable manifold by adding a multipoint rail system that captures and recirculates blow-by vapors. The Zytel glass reinforced nylon provides a smooth interior runner surface for airflow and is 40% lighter than comparable sand-cast aluminum manifolds. THE NEXT GEN FOR THROTTLES Electronic Throttle Control Electronic throttle control (ETC) is an automobile technology which severs the mechanical link between the accelerator pedal and the throttle. Most automobiles already use a throttle position sensor (TPS) to provide input to traction control, antilock brakes, fuel injection, and from Kolbenschmidt Pierburg (Southfield, MI; www.pierburginc.com) WHAT IS IT? An electronic throttle control that facilitates better engine performance through computer-controlled management. WHAT DOES IT DO? Combines the functions of a mechanical throttle body, cruise control, and idle air in a single-unit. WHAT ARE ITS ADVANTAGES? Two key ones: it is 20% lighter and 20% less expensive than current models. It can handle a variety of engine displacements for four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines. Because of the throttle bore design, there are said to be improvements in acceleration and a more linear progression of flow in the off-idle condition. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHO NEEDS AN ENGINE, ANYWAY? The In-wheel Electric Propulsion System from WaveCrest Laboratories (Dulles, VA; www.wavecrestlabs.com) WHAT IS IT? A multi-phase electric motor that fits into a wheel hub and provides accelerative and regenerative power to a vehicle. HOW DOES IT WORK? Unlike a conventional electric motor, the stator stator: see generator; motor, electric. is fixed; the rotor moves. And that rotor is an aluminum hub lined with rare-earth permanent magnets permanent magnets, n.pl magnets containing the mineral boron and the rare earth metal neodymium; often combined to create a neoprene or ceramic entity. and backed by a thin iron plate. The stator assembly consists of independently controlled electromagnet electromagnet, device in which magnetism is produced by an electric current. Any electric current produces a magnetic field, but the field near an ordinary straight conductor is rarely strong enough to be of practical use. cores that are both identical and isolated from each other, and made of soft, magnetic composites. A proprietary adaptive control software monitors motor position, torque requirements, and the power available to drive the motors to adjust the current and excitation sequence in order to keep the motor operating at peak efficiency. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES? WaveCrest says its motor has an unprecedented torque-to-weight ratio (densities exceed 700 Nm), eliminates the need for conventional transmissions, the total vehicle power is divided among multiple in- or near-wheel motors, the drive wheels can be turned in opposite directions for greater low-speed maneuverability, and--with a wheel motor at each corner--it's possible to use this drive system as a stability control system. It may even be possible to drastically downsize Downsize Reducing the size of a company by eliminating workers and/or divisions within the company. Notes: When a company downsizes, it is attempting to find ways to improve efficiency and increase profitability. It is sometimes referred to as trimming the fat. or eliminate the conventional braking system. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] INTERESTING NOTE: Although WaveCrest motors have been used on bicycles, Richard Schaum, former Chrysler Group executive vice president, Product Development and Quality, is now WaveCrest's vp and general manager, Vehicle Systems. Compiled by Christopher A. Sawyer, Executive Editor & Gary S. Vasilash, Editor-in-Chief |
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