InfraStructures - May 2011 - BAE Systems to Integrate Caterpillar CX Series Transmissions into its HybriDrive® Parallel System

BAE Systems to Integrate Caterpillar CX Series Transmissions
into its HybriDrive® Parallel System

BAE Systems and Caterpillar Inc. have signed a joint development agreement to collaborate on a parallel hybrid propulsion system for heavy-duty trucks. Under the agreement, BAE Systems will integrate Caterpillar CX Series Transmissions into its HybriDrive® parallel propulsion system, recently launched at the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show.

“Through this alliance, our transmission will become an integral part of BAE Systems’ new HybriDrive parallel system,” said Jeff Pohl, Hauling & OEM Drivetrains product manager for Caterpillar. “Our driveline expertise, including planetary automatic transmission expertise, combined with BAE Systems’ proven hybrid technology, will result in a seamlessly integrated product that meets performance and efficiency demands of vehicles that operate in diverse duty cycles.”

BAE Systems is a leading developer and producer of hybrid electric propulsion and power management systems for heavy-duty vehicles. The company’s HybriDrive series propulsion system – currently in service on more than 3,000 transit buses in cities around the world – meets the demands of urban transit duty cycles, which require low average speeds and frequent stop-and-go operation. The HybriDrive parallel system is designed to address the needs of vehicles with duty cycles that require higher operating speeds and less frequent stops.

With more than 300 million km of revenue service, more than 40 million l of diesel fuel saved, and more than 100,000 t of CO2 emissions prevented, the market-leading HybriDrive series system has proven itself to be one of the most efficient hybrid electric systems for the transit bus sector and has provided significant environmental benefits.

The HybriDrive parallel system’s supplemental power and torque ratings range from 95 hp to 145 hp and torque of 300 ft-lb to 400 ft-lb respectively. The system is designed to support large-bore, heavy-duty power plants, ranging from 350 hp to 600 hp, with associated torque ratings of 750 ft-lb to 2,150 ft-lb.

The HybriDrive parallel system, in final stages of development, will see it first road trials this spring and is expected to be deployed in markets around the world in 2012.

Source: BAE Systems