CAT ENGINES WITH ACERT TECHNOLOGY AN INTRODUCTION THE POWER TO LEAD

Transcription

1 CAT ENGINES WITH ACERT TECHNOLOGY AN INTRODUCTION THE POWER TO LEAD

2 OUR DIRECTION IS CLEAR

3 ACERT TECHNOLOGY IS THE RIGHT SOLUTION TODAY...WITH THE POWER TO LEAD THE INDUSTRY INTO THE FUTURE. Cat engines with ACERT Technology meet today s most stringent emissions reduction standards. And they re poised to take on tomorrow s challenges as well. ACERT Technology combines proven systems with innovative new technologies to precisely shape the combustion process. It maintains engine performance, efficiency and durability while dramatically reducing emissions. And looking ahead, ACERT is the only diesel emissions reduction technology currently available with a clear path to Tier 4/Stage IIIb compliance.

4 THE ACERT TECHNOLOGY STORY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, Caterpillar has been a leader in diesel engine design and manufacturing. In fact, Cat pioneered many of the most important innovations in diesel technology. So it s no surprise that when the EPA and European Union passed a series of aggressive new diesel engine emissions standards in 1994, Cat took a leading role in developing the technology to meet them. Through a massive investment of time, expertise and capital (over $500 million so far and counting), Caterpillar worked to find and develop a long-term emissions reduction solution a platform to meet current and future standards while delivering maximum performance and value. First, Caterpillar researchers explored a number of existing technologies. Most were rejected for excessive compromises in engine performance or for durability/reliability issues. Then Cat made a breakthrough that pointed the way to an entirely new approach: ACERT Technology. ACERT TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE

5 ADVANCED COMBUSTION The core concept behind ACERT Technology is advanced combustion. ACERT carefully controls the combustion process to reduce pollutant levels, while maintaining performance and efficiency. In theory, the controlled combustion concept is simple: Precisely managing the combustion process results in lower combustion temperatures. Lower combustion temperatures produce fewer harmful exhaust emissions. PROVEN PERFORMANCE With decades of experience in diesel engine design and manufacturing, Caterpillar was able to take advantage of a number of engine technologies that have already proven themselves over millions of hours: Cat ADEM TM electronic engine controls Cat HEUI TM and MEUI fuel injectors Crossflow cylinder heads Wastegate and nonwastegate turbochargers The key breakthrough of ACERT is the way it combines and controls all these systems with an unprecedented level of precision. But in practice, controlling combustion with a high degree of precision is extremely difficult. The combustion process is very complex, and it changes with variations in engine speed and load.

6 BUILDING BLOCKS OF ACERT PROVEN SYSTEMS. BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES. ACERT is a unique combination of building block technologies a combination of engine elements that work together in a highly evolved way. And each building block can be specifically tailored for optimum performance across all applications. ACERT building block technologies work together to control the combustion process to a higher degree than ever before possible, reducing emissions while maintaining engine performance, fuel efficiency and long-term durability. FLEXIBLE TECHNOLOGY In today s off-road Cat engines, ACERT building blocks include: Advanced electronic control Highly precise multiple-injection fuel delivery Crossflow cylinder heads and wastegate turbochargers In contrast, current Cat on-highway engines use a number of additional elements of ACERT, including: Variable valve actuation Series turbocharging Proprietary Cat aftertreatment

7 FUEL DELIVERY AIR MANAGEMENT Advanced air management also plays a critical role in reducing emissions. Current off-road engines include crossflow heads and wastegate turbochargers. But on-highway engines use two ACERT air system breakthroughs: variable valve actuation and series turbocharging. Variable valve actuation controls when and for how long valves open to let air into and exhaust out of the combustion chamber. Valve timing is varied electronically for changing engine loads and speeds. Series turbocharging uses two smaller turbochargers together, which produce less lag while generating high airflows. Plus, both turbos spin at lower speeds, increasing reliability and extending component life. ELECTRONICS The brain power for ACERT Technology comes from Cat ADEM 4 electronic controllers. The latest generation of the electronic engine control systems pioneered by Caterpillar in the mid-1980s, the Cat ADEM 4 can govern fuel delivery, valve timing and other engine processes with incredible precision. And it can be programmed to optimize performance for different engines or specific applications. One of the key breakthroughs in ACERT Technology is multiple-injection fuel delivery. The multiple-injection process introduces fuel into the combustion chamber in a number of precisely-controlled microbursts. Injecting fuel in this way allows for precise shaping of the combustion cycle. A Cat ADEM 4 controller directs either Cat HEUI or Cat MEUI injectors to deliver precise quantities of fuel at exactly the right times during combustion. Only these proprietary Cat injectors can deliver the pressures needed for the multiple-injection process. For optimum performance, the multiple-injection process can be tailored for different applications and engine sizes. AFTER- TREATMENT The final ACERT building block is aftertreatment. Current on-highway engines use a Cat Diesel Oxidation Catalyst. Located between the engine and the muffler, this specially-developed aftertreatment converts any pollutants remaining in the exhaust stream to carbon dioxide and water. Dedicated aftertreatment for off-road engines is now in development.

8 ACERT ADVANTAGES ACERT Technology offers a number of advantages over other emissions reduction solutions. Application-Tailoring The ACERT building blocks approach means that each element can be tailored to match a specific engine or even a specific application. For example: Smaller engines with ACERT Technology use hydraulically-actuated injectors while larger engines use mechanicallyactuated injectors. Larger on-highway engines use series turbocharging while smaller on-highway engines use wastegate turbos. And in all cases, system components can be selected to optimize performance in all engine classes and across a wide range of applications. Enhanced Combustion With ACERT Technology, the engine takes in only cool, clean, fresh air. Combustion temperatures are controlled by precise multiple injections of fuel. Service/Maintenance Continuity Because ACERT uses many existing systems and components, recommended service and maintenance routines are familiar and consistent with those of existing Cat engines. One Solution for All Engines ACERT Technology works for every engine in the Cat product line. While individual elements may change, the core technology remains the same, which simplifies fleetwide servicing. Long, Reliable Engine Life Engine life and wear are not significantly affected by the advanced combustion process. ACERT won t cause premature degradation of the combustion chamber which might occur with other emissions reduction solutions. THE RIGHT SOLUTION The ACERT process actually enhances combustion rather than suppressing it (as in some competitive systems) to keep combustion temperatures down. As a result, engine performance and fuel efficiency are maintained.

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10 ACERT TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE A CLEAR PATH AHEAD ACERT Technology has one other big advantage over other competitive emissions reduction solutions: a clear path to Tier 4/Stage IIIb compliance. Where other strategies are pushing their technological limits to meet Tier 3/Stage IIIa standards, ACERT is just getting started. Caterpillar is continuing its research on ACERT Technology with programs to: Refine existing elements of ACERT Technology for enhanced effectiveness Evolve new elements of ACERT Technology from existing technologies to make the best use of every resource available today Develop revolutionary new technologies that will be ready in time to meet Tier4/Stage IIIb deadlines There are still challenges ahead, but ACERT Technology gives Caterpillar a clear strategy for meeting all future regulatory standards...while others may have to abandon current solutions and look for whole new technologies.

11 WHAT ACERT MEANS FOR YOU For all of its advanced technology, ACERT delivers some very easy-to-understand benefits that mean a lot to Cat engine and machine customers: ACERT means you deal with largely proven systems that your service people already understand. ACERT means dependable engines with the reliability, low operating costs and long life you expect from Caterpillar. ACERT means your engines and machines meet regulatory standards without trouble-prone complexity. ACERT means your people need to adapt to only a single emissions reduction technology, a technology that won t become obsolete in just a few years.

12 THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW. Thousands of Cat engines with ACERT Technology are currently in service in demanding on-highway applications. Off-road engines started accumulating hours in the field in early The technology is proving itself everyday, and customer response has been overwhelmingly positive. ACERT Technology not only optimizes engine performance but is a superior diesel emissions reduction solution. And it offers a clear path to the future. Only Caterpillar has ACERT Technology because only Caterpillar has the resources, dedication and history of innovation to make it a reality. THAT S THE POWER TO LEAD LEYQ Caterpillar All Rights Reserved Printed in the U.S.A.