THE SUSTAINABLE SMART TRIP PLAN

THE SUSTAINABLE SMART TRIP PLAN …IN ACTION

HYBRID EXAMPLE TRIP

From the Spokane Valley to Port of Seattle, Washington…

SPOKANE VALLEY

The journey from the Spokane Valley to Port of Seattle spans 290 miles on I-90, encompassing a diverse range of elevation changes that total 2,915 feet to climb. Numerous trucks undertake this trip in a day and then back the following day, exchanging loaded trailers carrying various goods and products. Imagine a fully loaded 80,000 lb GVW semi-truck equipped as a Compound Electric Hybrid (CEH) embarking from Spokane Valley with its batteries fully charged. It deftly navigates beyond the city limits using just the sheer power of its 150KW electric motor.

AIRWAY HEIGHTS

As the ascent begins, the truck activates its smaller, high efficiency Bio-Diesel engine (ICE) to conquer the 6% grade leading to Airway Heights, where the airports and air base are located. The truck synchronizes the 300KW ICE power with the electric motor. The key distinction here is that the ICE engine consistently runs at an optimal 5,000 RPM, its operating “Sweet Spot”. As power requirements vary at the axle, the electric motor reduces or increases its power output, allowing the ICE to maintain this ideal RPM. All thanks to the Compound Electric Hybrid’s infinitely variable transmission.

RITZVILLE

Having conquered the grade, the ICE engine continues to operate in its sweet spot, channeling power both to the axles (for maintaining cruising speed), and the balance of power available at any moment goes toward recharging the batteries to their full specification. The rolling hills of farmland enroute to Ritzville along I-90's westward path are now easily managed shifting over to using electric power almost exclusively. Occasionally, the ICE engine is engaged to conquer hills and simultaneously recharge the batteries. Throughout this routine, the ICE maintains its sweet spot until disengaged, then allowing the electric motor to operate independently.

COLUMBIA RIVER AND
THE VANTAGE GRADE

Having journeyed over rolling farmlands, passing Moses Lake, and approaching George Washington, the truck reaches the pinnacle of the Columbia River Gorge. Here, the proactive ‘Grade anticipating Smart GPS’, has been planning on how to capture all the power available from the upcoming decent. Up to now utilizing battery power often (and operating the ICE at Sweet Spot for travel and recharging needs), it has so planned at this point for the batteries to have been drawn down enough for available room to capture the many kilowatts of power from the upcoming descent. This smart planning ensures recharge battery capacity for the steep descent down the Columbia River gorge, with this descending brake energy (as generated kilowatts) to be stored in the batteries

ELLENSBURG

With now fully charged batteries, both the electric motor and the ICE engine collaborate to ascend the 7% grade of the Vantage hill on the way to Ellensburg. Following this uphill climb at a good pace, the ICE engine continues to operate solely as needed for axle power and battery charging. The Compound Electric Hybrid dynamic power distribution sustains cruise speed as well as enabling extra power channeled to charge the batteries.

SNOQUALMIE PASS

The climb from Ellensburg to cross over Snoqualmie Pass, encompasses an elevation change of 2,300 feet, and demands more frequent ICE engine activation while also keeping that Sweet Spot higher efficiency advantage. However, as with previous trip segments, the ‘Grade Smart GPS’ anticipates and plans battery usage effectively. So later when descending the other side of the pass, the truck batteries have already been drawn down enough to capitalize on all the regenerative braking and recharge the batteries fully during the descent.

PRESTON, WASHINGTON, TO SEATTLE: (ZERO EMISSIONS ROUND TRIP)

Having descended from the mountains, the truck proceeds with a full battery charge to pass the city of Preston, located 22 miles outside Seattle. Now switching to electric-only mode and proceeding into the greater Seattle area – it traverses Seattle being a ‘Zero Emissions’ truck. Even during loading and unloading, all the while adhering to an electric-only mode. This emissions-free journey continues until the next day after passing Preston again to climb back up the mountain pass. Then for the climb again with the ICE engine operating solely at its Sweet Spot rpm’s for exceptional efficiency while heading up to the top of the pass.

THE COMPOUND ELECTRIC HYBRID TRUCK PRIMARY
OBJECTIVE IS THREE-FOLD

Operating at zero emissions within the cities, and zero emissions in lieu of idling elsewhere when stopped, or when slowed down in a traffic jams, or while at a loading dock … this is the first objective.

The secondary objective focuses on running the ICE engine exclusively at its sweet spot RPMs. By varying the electric motor power output as needed, this constant Sweet Spot can be maintained to have greater efficiency and yielding much higher MPG. And while charging, also significantly reducing GHG emissions per generated kilowatt output when compared to most grid-based “plug-in-your-charger” alternatives.

The third objective centers on harnessing all the potential of downhill stretches to capture the maximum energy from rolling forces while descending. While the ICE engine is off, the electric drive captures downhill energy and stores it in the battery, capitalizing on regenerative braking this way.

HOW DOES A SMART C-E-H ENABLE 10+MPG FOR LONG-HAUL FREIGHT?

Every fuel engine has a Fuel Consumption Map that highlights its Best Efficiency Points (BEP). These points represent the engine’s optimal operating range, where the engine’s RPM and power output yield the greatest efficiency per unit of fuel consumed

The Compound Electric Hybrid (CEH) system enables the fuel engine to operate within its Best Efficiency Point (BEP) RPMs by dynamically managing its power output. This power is simultaneously distributed for both electricity generation and axle propulsion in precise proportions, as needed during travel. The system adapts to varying conditions, ensuring optimal performance and fuel efficiency. For example:

TRAVELING UP A LOW-GRADE INCLINE

The engine uses approximately half of its power for propulsion, while the other half is dedicated to generating electricity.

TRAVELING UP A MEDIUM-GRADE INCLINE

The engine's entire power output is required for axle propulsion, leaving no capacity for electricity generation.

TRAVELING UP A STEEP GRADE

The engine’s full power and all available electrical power are utilized to maintain good speed while ascending the steep incline.

ON FLAT HIGHWAYS

The electric motor alone can propel the vehicle's axles, allowing the fuel engine to shut down completely and conserve fuel.

ON DOWNHILL GRADES

The electric motor switches to generator mode, slowing the vehicle while capturing brake energy and recharging the batteries, with the fuel engine remaining off.

As noted, the CEH system has the capability to supplement the fuel engine's output with additional electrical power to the axles when needed, particularly for uphill driving.

In this way, the CEH system ensures the fuel engine operates only within BEP parameters, optimizing performance under varying conditions such as grades, weather, and traffic. Additionally, it allows the engine to shut down, enabling the vehicle to run on battery power alone when entering or exiting cities, or when stuck in traffic.

By using a Smart GPS with travel planning, the system can anticipate road conditions, upcoming grades, wind and weather factors, and traffic congestion, allowing for precise planning of future power needs. As well as planning energy recovery potential during downhill descents or braking. By factoring in the vehicle’s weight alongside these conditions, the system enables 'SMART' engine control functions.

The GPS foresight and power calculations described above create the system’s 'SUSTAINABLE SMART TRIP PLAN.' This plan determines when the fuel engine will operate and when it will shut down, allowing the vehicle to run on battery power alone during specific segments of the journey. Additionally, the system ensures the batteries are sufficiently depleted to capture and store downhill energy, optimizing energy recovery without exceeding battery capacity – at every available opportunity.

Battery use is maintained within an optimal range for longevity, typically discharging down to 25% and charging up to 75%. This approach is similar to not overstretching a rubber band to avoid premature wear and degradation. When 75 miles of zero tailpipe emissions are required, the 'Sustainable Smart Trip Plan' pre-charges the batteries to a higher level, ensuring sufficient power for the distance of zero tailpipe travel.

IN SUMMARY
THE COMPOUND ELECTRIC HYBRID

Electric-only operation is always available. But whenever the Fuel Engine is running, ensure it consistently operates at the Best Efficiency Point (BEP) rpm.
Dynamically manage the Fuel Engine’s power distribution to simultaneously generate electricity and propel the axles, precisely in the required proportions, whenever needed.
Equally important, when increased power is needed, add electric power to propel the axles along with the fuel engine.
Ensure all these dynamics occur seamlessly, moment to moment, at any speed, on-the-fly while traveling down the road, with no gears to shift.
And consistently use the Hybrid technology here to capture braking & downhill energy, storing it in the batteries for emissions-free propulsion or uphill assistance.

THE SUSTAINABLE SMART TRIP PLAN