Perkins Hybrid and Electric Technologies

April 25, 2019
Perkins is offering hybrid and electric technologies across its Tier 4-F power range from 8 to 630 horsepower.

Perkins is offering hybrid and electric technologies across its Tier 4-F power range from 8 to 630 horsepower.

The hybrid-electric, hybrid-mechanical, and hybrid-hydraulic power technologies complement Perkins existing 0.5- to 18-liter range of diesel engines.

Hybrid-electric: There are several ways to incorporate the electric motor or generator, with Perkins preferred arrangement being an electrical hybrid motor or generator coupled with the engine, and a lithium-ion battery handling energy storage. The flexibility of the system provides opportunities for further efficiency and functionality improvements in the whole machine through use of 48-volt electrics.

Hybrid-mechanical: This stores energy in a high-speed flywheel that can be delivered back to the machine. This is particularly useful in hybridizing machines that run a cyclic operation and need very intense bursts of additional power. Apart from the very quick energy release, the advantage over hybrid-electric is in installation size.

Hybrid-hydraulic: This stores energy in hydraulic accumulators. In some machines this can be the most practical and cost-effective hybrid solution as it easily integrates into existing machine hydraulic systems. Software and integration of machine systems are keys to achieving savings from this technology, the company says.