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An electric water pump allows the cooling system to operate at the flow required to maintain optimum engine temperature and could eliminate engine overcooling that can occur with mechanically driven pumps. If additional flow is required for a specific application, it can be provided hydromatik via software commands, not necessarily a larger pump. These electrically driven pumps are designed with fully enclosed, electric motors that could eliminate shaft-seal leakage problems, the most common failure mode with today''s mechanically driven water pumps. The MorElectric system hydraulic began lab tests in 2002, and is currently testing in on-highway truck applications. Commercial production pumps and hydromatik is expected in early 2005. Caterpillar expects the system to be used in a variety of trucks as well as off-highway, marine and military applications as well. Ort said Caterpillar is looking for partners for market exposure and field validation testing opportunities beginning this September.The hydraulic development of the system grew, in part, out of a Dept. of Energy (DOE) program called "Parasitic Energy Loss Reduction and Enabling Technologies pumps for Class 7/8 hydromatik Trucks." This 42 month, $4.4 million hydraulic research program started in May 2000 pumps and brought together Cat Electronics, Kenworth Truck, Engineered hydromatik Machined Products, a major supplier of water pumps to the heavy-duty diesel business, and Emerson Electric. * Improved vehicle aerodynamics have decreased wind resistance and made the vehicles more "slippery."* Down-sized engines have reduced engine braking by compression.* Higher speed rear axle ratios have reduced mechanical retardation.* Radial tires have reduced rolling resistance.* hydraulic The movement toward smaller wheels and low profile tires require the smaller brake to absorb the same amount of energy as the standard 16-1/2 x 7-in, brake of today.It is no wonder that brake specifications have assumed such a predominate role when purchasing equipment. Fortunately, for truck fleets and the motoring public alike, government pumps is playing a major role in demanding hydromatik certain brake performance standards on new vehicles.How do all of these government standards help the truck fleet manager when specifying air brake systems? hydraulic Actually, the standards assume pumps the major responsibilities for proper braking of new vehicles. However, the fleet manager still has certain obligations:
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