Article: Independent power supply for commercial vehicle trailers Journal: International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS) 2013 Vol.20 No.4 pp.342 - 360 Abstract: This work was motivated by the need to provide electric power to commercial trailers during phases when they are disconnected from their tractor vehicles. The obvious approach to use batteries is not recommended owing to their unsatisfactory energy density, service life and charging cycles. As an alternative, in this paper a pneumatic-electrical approach is proposed and analysed. The main points discussed are the system design and the control strategies required for an optimal energy conversion. The ideas proposed are applied to an electronically controlled air suspension system. Using a laboratory test bench, the main results are verified experimentally. Additional benefits, such as energy recuperation, are discussed. The theoretical considerations and the experimental results confirm that a pneumatic-electrical system is a promising option. Simple integration into the existing pneumatic system and, therefore, minimum weight and installation space, simple scalability to changing power demands, high quality of dynamic response and the ability to conform with the regulations for the transport of hazardous goods are some of the main advantages. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Independent power supply for commercial vehicle trailers

Authors: M.B. Alberding; C.H. Onder; L. Guzzella; F. Sager

Addresses: Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland ' Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland ' Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland ' BPW Bergische Achsen KG, 51656 Wiehl, Germany

Abstract: This work was motivated by the need to provide electric power to commercial trailers during phases when they are disconnected from their tractor vehicles. The obvious approach to use batteries is not recommended owing to their unsatisfactory energy density, service life and charging cycles. As an alternative, in this paper a pneumatic-electrical approach is proposed and analysed. The main points discussed are the system design and the control strategies required for an optimal energy conversion. The ideas proposed are applied to an electronically controlled air suspension system. Using a laboratory test bench, the main results are verified experimentally. Additional benefits, such as energy recuperation, are discussed. The theoretical considerations and the experimental results confirm that a pneumatic-electrical system is a promising option. Simple integration into the existing pneumatic system and, therefore, minimum weight and installation space, simple scalability to changing power demands, high quality of dynamic response and the ability to conform with the regulations for the transport of hazardous goods are some of the main advantages.

Keywords: trailer power supply; pneumatic-electrical energy conversion; air suspension; air springs; air motors; vane motors; independent power supply; commercial vehicles; commercial trailers; system design; control strategies; heavy vehicles; pneumatics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2013.056913

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2013 Vol.20 No.4, pp.342 - 360

Published online: 31 Oct 2013 *

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Title: Independent power supply for commercial vehicle trailers

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