Rockwell's advanced transmission shift system simplifies driving, reduces clutch engagements.LAS VEGAS--(AutomotiveWire)--May 15, 1996--Rockwell Automotive's new Engine Synchro syn·chro n. pl. syn·chros A selsyn. [Short for synchronous.] Noun 1. Shift(TM) (ESS (1) (Electronic Switching System) A large-scale computer from Lucent used to route telephone calls in a telephone company office. The 5ESS is a Class 5 central office switch, and the 4ESS is a Class 4 tandem office switch. ) system that makes shifting a manual transmission easier by automatically synchronizing synchronizing, n a technique that a therapist uses to coordinate his or her breath with that of the client; builds trust and establishes relationship. engine RPM to road speed during shifts was introduced today at a press briefing here at the International Trucking Show. The revolutionary and innovative shift system uses the Detroit Diesel engine Electronic Control Module (ECM (1) (Enterprise Change Management) See version control and configuration management. (2) (Error Correcting Mode) A Group 3 fax capability that can test for errors within a row of pixels and request retransmission. ) to electronically match engine RPM to road speed for both up and downshifts, eliminating the need to use the clutch for anything but starting and stopping the vehicle. "Our goal in designing this system was to make it easier for drivers to shift, while at the same time reduce fleets' total cost of ownership," said Frank A. Palmeri, director of sales and marketing for Rockwell's Transmission and Clutch business. "This is a win-win situation for drivers and fleets," Palmeri explained. "With ESS, it's like driving a fully-synchronized transmission, but without the need to use the clutch. Drivers simply shift through the pattern without having to synchronize See synchronization. engine RPM, for both up and downshifts. The driver's workload is reduced, while fleets pocket the savings in reduced wear on the clutch and other drivetrain components." ESS is currently available as optional equipment on Rockwell 9- and 10-speed transmissions in any new Freightliner Class 8 truck equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 50, 55 or 60 engine. The system will be available as optional equipment on other OE trucks in May 1997. ESS is another step in Rockwell's strategy to provide truck operators with the industry's most advanced shift systems at a cost premium that fleets can justify through overall reduced cost of ownership. ESS is not a fully automated transmission. Rather, it provides what many of the drivers surveyed by Rockwell want in a shifting system. "Our Shift-n-Cruise(TM) feature introduced in 1995 has gained widespread acceptance, and ESS is the next phase in making life easier for the driver, while reducing fleets' operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales ," said Rick Martello, general manager of Rockwell's Transmission and Clutch business. The ESS option can also be specified with the Shift-n-Cruise(TM) feature, which integrates the cruise control See adaptive cruise control. switches in the top of the shift knob, simplifying cruise operation. "In addition to shift systems, we provide a full complement of transmissions that cover more than 70 percent of heavy-duty applications," Martello added. "What will differentiate us from the competition is that we are leading the industry with affordable advanced shift system technology. Our focus on shift systems is a result of listening to drivers' needs for reduced workload, while satisfying fleet operators' needs for reduced maintenance costs. Our ultimate goal is to be recognized as the company that provides the highest-quality and most user-friendly transmission shift systems above the floorboard." "The user-friendly ESS technology can also be a very attractive selling point selling point n. An aspect of a product or service that is stressed in advertising or marketing. Noun 1. selling point - a characteristic of something that is up for sale that makes it attractive to potential customers for fleets to help recruit experienced drivers and train novice drivers. Rockwell understands the industry's driver shortage issue and believes ESS can help fleets more easily train and satisfy inexperienced drivers - drivers who may otherwise select a different fleet to begin their career," Palmeri said. "Engine Synchro Shift has been designed for drivers, by drivers," Palmeri added. "Our research shows that drivers want to be in control of what gear they are in. ESS allows them the control they desire while making their driving experience much simpler." Extended Clutch Life Is Just One Advantage With ESS, the clutch is used only for starting and stopping the vehicle, not during any of the transmission shifts, which can reduce clutch engagements by more than 80 percent. This boosts clutch life, and naturally makes for less clutch adjustments. The range control is automated with ESS so the driver no longer has to flip from low to high or vice versa VICE VERSA. On the contrary; on opposite sides. . ESS can prevent auxiliary synchronizer failure resulting from drivers improperly pre-selecting the range shift. The "break torque" feature in ESS enables drivers to keep their foot on the service brake pedal while bringing the vehicle to a stop, and at the same time, downshift down·shift v. down·shift·ed, down·shift·ing, down·shifts v.intr. 1. To shift a motor vehicle into a lower gear. 2. To reduce the speed, rate, or intensity of something. 3. through each of the gears. This makes better use of the engine compression to augment the service brakes in stopping the vehicle, which potentially can increase brake lining life. "The break torque feature also helps drivers shift on steep grades. Drivers merely keep their foot "pedal to the metal," depress de·press v. 1. To lower in spirits; deject. 2. To cause to drop or sink; lower. 3. To press down. 4. To lessen the activity or force of something. the break torque button, and make the downshift without having to use the clutch or take their foot off the throttle. ESS takes care of synchronizing the engine RPM to road speed for a smooth, safe ride," emphasized Palmeri. The new shift system also eliminates the need for a pneumatic slave valve by incorporating an electric-over-air system. In doing so, Rockwell is responding to industry requests for products that require less maintenance. The electric-over-air system can help keep trucks on the road because it replaces a component that has traditionally posed problems in heavy-duty manual transmissions from dirty air contaminating con·tam·i·nate tr.v. con·tam·i·nated, con·tam·i·nat·ing, con·tam·i·nates 1. To make impure or unclean by contact or mixture. 2. To expose to or permeate with radioactivity. adj. the pneumatic slave valve. Rockwell Automotive entered the transmission business with the introduction of its 9-speed transmission in 1989. Seven years later, the company now offers a total of 37 models of 9-, 10- and 13-speed transmissions and a variety of advanced shift system technologies. The units are manufactured at the business's Laurinburg, N.C., facility, with aftermarket Aftermarket See: Secondary market. aftermarket See secondary market. parts available from the company's distribution centers in Florence, Ky., and Brampton, Ontario Brampton (IPA: ˈbræmptən, ˈbræmtən) is a city in the GTA of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806. , and at all 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 distribution centers. Rockwell's Worldwide Truck and Trailer Systems business supplies vehicle manufacturers around the world with the industry's most complete drivetrain - Drivetrain Plus(TM) Rockwell components include axles - steer, drive and trailer; brakes - cam, wedge and air disc; automatic slack adjusters; clutches; transmissions; driveshafts and universal joints; anti-lock braking systems An anti-lock braking system (ABS) (translated from German, Antiblockiersystem) is a system on motor vehicles which prevents the wheels from locking while braking. The purpose of this is to allow the driver to maintain steering control under heavy braking and, in some and air dryers; transfer cases; on-board computer and satellite communications systems; and aftermarket parts. Rockwell is a diversified, high-technology company holding leadership market positions in automation, avionics, semiconductor systems, aerospace, defense electronics and automotive component systems, with annual worldwide sales of $13 billion. CONTACT: Rockwell Automotive, Troy D. Mike Pennington, 810/435-1933 Susan Podkowa, 810/435-1182 |
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