Downsped Spec’ing Advice

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Dana has published a new white paper that addresses the need for fleets and original-equipment manufacturers to properly manage the higher driveline torque resulting from the increasing use of more fuel-efficient downsped engines.

 

Titled “The Right Solution for Downsped Engines”, the paper is free and may be downloaded here.

 

Authored by Andy Nieman, vice president of global engineering for Dana Commercial Vehicle Technologies, it describes the motivations behind downspeeding, what constitutes downspeeding, and fuel consumption and environmental benefits. The piece goes on to explain how the resulting higher torque values place added stress on a vehicle’s axle, driveshaft, and inter-axle.

 

Different strategies are then presented for managing the higher torques, including Dana’s recommendation for spec’ing proper driveline components. These components, the paper explains, need to be carefully engineered, thoroughly tested, and proven to be fully capable of delivering the necessary performance in a high-torque environment.

 

Charts are also provided to help illustrate the data provided and support Dana’s conclusions.

 

The Dana system optimized for engine downspeeding includes the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle, the SPL 350 driveshaft, and the SPL 250 inter-axle shaft.

 

The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle is now available with ratios that support the engine downspeeding efforts of truck manufacturers, including the industry’s fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1. Lowering engine rpm at highway cruise speed can bring an overall vehicle efficiency improvement of up to 2%, says Dana.

 

The SPL 350 driveshaft and SPL 250 inter-axle shaft were engineered to maximize the efficiency and durability of the AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle and low-rpm engines. They’re said to offer 40% more torque-carrying capability.

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Rolf Lockwood is editor emeritus of Today's Trucking and a regular contributor to Trucknews.com.


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