A Hydrostatic regenerative braking system (HRB) stores brake energy in a hydraulic pressure reservoir and relieves the load on the main drive when the vehicle is accelerating – potentially reducing fuel consumption by up to 25 percent.

 

 

 

Source: Bosch-Rexroth. HRB can be retrofitted as an add-on system even in vehicles without hydraulics. 

 

When the driver presses the brake pedal, a hydraulic unit integrated in the drivetrain presses the hydraulic fluid into a high-pressure reservoir. The resulting resistance makes the vehicle decelerate. When accelerating, the hydraulic pressure reservoir is controlled electronically to release the pressure and it relieves the load on the diesel engine. As a result, the engine consumes less fuel, generates less exhaust gases, and functions more quietly.

 

International Rectifier has expanded its portfolio of 60 V, 75 V and 100 V MOSFETs for switch mode power supplies (SMPS), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and industrial applications such as power tools, forklifts and other high power DC drives.

These new devices, an extension to IR’s family of N-channel MOSFETs, feature low on-state resistance (RDS(on)) and high switching capability while the rugged TO-247 package provides a larger area for heat sinking to improve thermal dissipation compared to a TO-220 package.

“Incorporating IR’s benchmark HEXFET® trench MOSFET technology in a robust TO-247 package offers designers more flexibility where power and thermal performance are a priority,” according to Brian LaValle, marketing manager for IR’s Power Management Devices Business Unit.

The new devices are offered lead free and are RoHS compliant. More information is available on the International Rectifier web site at http://www.irf.com/whats-new/nr080402.html

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (AETI) announced that it has reached an agreement with DRS Power Technology (DRS), Inc. a subsidiary of DRS Technologies, Inc., to jointly develop and market DRS permanent magnet motors (PMMs) and generators using variable frequency drives (VFD) to bring a new level of performance, reliability and efficiency to the oil and gas drilling and marine industries with future potential expansion into wind power generation.

AETI and DRS have successfully matched the robust, proven and cost-competitive American Electric Technologies e-Drive with the power-dense and energy-efficient DRS PA44-450 (450 hp, 3600 rpm). The DRS PA44 is utilized worldwide in oil and gas drilling and top-drive applications. It is known for its durability and power density.

DRS engineers high-powered permanent magnet machines. PMMs are well known for their simplicity, power density and energy efficiency. DRS’ latest development, the PRE34-600 motor (600 hp @ 1200 rpm), has been added to a family of products for the oil and gas drill rig market. The new motor leverages DRS’ patent-pending embedded magnet rotor technology and is cost-competitive with comparable induction motors. AETI’s e Drive variable speed drive utilizes the most advanced G7 technology available in the industry today. With the unique capability of powering PMMs in applications up to 800 hertz, these drives are available in liquid and air cooled configurations up to 4000 hp.

Comprehensive factory and field testing is under way for the motors. DRS and AETI anticipate production shipments within the next twelve months. 

With its ergonomic design and hot-pluggable capability, the Rexroth IndraControl VCH08 portable human machine interface (HMI) makes it easier for equipment operators to set up, run and diagnose their machinery, especially in gantry, material handling, line transfer, or large manufacturing cell applications.

The handheld IndraControl VCH08 weighs about two pounds and features a sturdy plastic housing with an IP65 protection rating for demanding conditions. The round-shaped panel supports both right- and left-handed operators in situations such as clearing jams, teaching position points, jogging axes or starting up a machine.

Source = Bosch-Rexroth 

SERCOS International announced that the evaluation by TÜV Rheinland and BGIA St. Augustin of the CIP Safety on SERCOS specification has been completed and it is being released as a function-specific profile (FSP Safety) for Industrial Ethernet-based SERCOS III. The extensions specified by SERCOS International will be included in Edition 2.2. of the CIP Safety specification and will be published in the IEC 61784-3 international safety standard. Thus, users of the SERCOS III real-time Ethernet technology can rely on an established network-spanning safety protocol, CIP Safety of the ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Association).

CIP Safety on SERCOS is based on the CIP Safety(TM) safety protocol and provides for safe data transmission over SERCOS III up to SIL 3 (Safety Integrity Level) according to IEC 61508. The safety protocol uses the SERCOS Messaging Protocol (SMP), which enables the representation of the CIP data and services on configured, cyclic data containers in the SERCOS telegram. Due to the routing capability of the CIP Safety protocol, a safety network can stretch across several diverse communication networks (e.g., DeviceNet, Ethernet/IP, SERCOS III). According to the CIP Safety specification, the safe data container embedded in the SERCOS frame can contain between 2 and 250 Bytes of safe user data. Independent of the type of data -- command values, logical signals, or safe logic or process information --- SERCOS III provides a homogeneous, continuous solution for modern automation concepts.

"The combination of CIP Safety with the Ethernet-based SERCOS III fulfils the desire of users and suppliers to embark on a global standard instead of supporting different safety protocols," states Peter Lutz, Managing Director of SERCOS International. "CIP Safety on SERCOS also opens up new perspectives. For example, using the direct cross communication supported by SERCOS III, basic, safe slave devices can be linked without any additional safety control -- and this with minimal reaction times. Thus, SERCOS International has achieved an important step in establishment of the SERCOS III Real-time Ethernet technology as a universal network solution for a broad range of manufacturing systems."

ABB's first-quarter net income reached $1 billion, an increase of 87 percent compared to the same quarter in 2007, as global demand for more reliable power and improved industrial efficiency continued to grow and the company’s efforts to improve operational performance generated further benefits.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reached a record $1.4 billion, up 65 percent from a year earlier. The EBIT margin increased to 17.0 percent from 13.2 percent in the first quarter of 2007. Orders, revenues and EBIT increased in all divisions as market demand remained robust in all regions. Utilities continued to invest in new and refurbished power infrastructure while industrial customers, especially in the metals, minerals and marine sectors, further expanded capacity on the back of high commodity prices. Industrial demand for more energy efficient technologies also continued to be a key growth driver.

Source: ABB

International Rectifier Corporation announced that the Company’s Founder and Chairman, Eric Lidow, will retire from his position as Chairman and as a member of the Board of Directors effective on May 1, 2008.  Mr. Lidow had served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer until 1995, after which time he assumed the position of Chairman.

Lidow founded International Rectifier in 1947 and took it from a start-up company that developed selenium photoelectric cells and selenium rectifiers into a world leader in power management technology that produces thousands of innovative analog, digital, and mixed signal integrated circuits and other advanced power management technologies and products.

Meanwhile...the company also announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Richard J. Dahl Chairman of the Board, effective on May 1, 2008. 

Dahl, 56, joined the board in February 2008.  Since 2004, Mr. Dahl has served as a Director of the NYSE-listed IHOP Corporation, where he presides as Chairman of the Audit Committee and was Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board formed to oversee IHOP’s successful bid to acquire Applebee’s International.  His executive experience includes serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Dole Food Company and of the NYSE-listed Bank of Hawaii Corporation.  Mr. Dahl, a former CPA with Ernst & Young, has extensive business experience in Asia, the Pacific Basin and Europe.

“I welcome Mr. Dahl to the Chairmanship of International Rectifier,” stated retiring Chairman and Director Eric Lidow, Founder of International Rectifier.  “The Company will benefit from his extensive business experience and knowledge of international trade issues.”

According a local paper, Magnetek plans to get out of the telecom business, and is looking for a buyer for its 16M power supply business. If sold, the one-time giant would be left with estimated revenues of about 90M, mostly in controls integration work in cranes and material handling. More here.