Komatsu America has introduced the third generation of its hybrid hydraulic excavator, the new HB215LC-2. This third generation model is based on iterations of Komatsu’s hybrid technology, which includes an electric swing motor, power generator motor, ultra-capacitor, and a powerful 139-horsepower SAA4D107E-2-A diesel engine. Komatsu developed its hybrid system to work on the principle of swing energy regeneration and energy storage, using the Komatsu ultra capacitor system, which provides fast energy storage and instantaneous power transmission.
The kinetic energy generated during the swing-braking phase of the machine’s cycle is converted to electricity, which is sent through an inverter and then captured by the ultra capacitor. When swing acceleration takes place under load, captured energy is discharged quickly to assist both the swing motor for upper structure rotation and the engine in driving the hydraulic pumps. The reserve power stored by the hybrid technology equates to approximately 60 additional horsepower, says Komatsu. Since the hybrid’s introduction in 2008, the company has sold more than 2500 hybrid excavators worldwide.
