Laboratory Based Axle Lubricant Efficiency Evaluation.

摘要

The U.S. Army desires to increase the fuel efficiency of its ground vehicle fleet. One potential area for fuel consumption improvement is the lubricating fluids located throughout the driveline. By improving the lubricating fluids used, a reduction in mechanical losses can be achieved [1]. These mechanical losses can occur in many forms including frictional, pumping, and churning losses, and are dependent on the fluid s chemical/physical properties and equipment design. A relatively small increase in driveline efficiency could have a significant impact financially when multiplied over the entire U.S. Army vehicle fleet. A previously reported investigation looked at the fuel consumption effects of engine, transmission, and axle gear lubricants as used in the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) [3]. Fuel consumption changes were determined based on the SAE J1321 Fuel Consumption In-Service Test Procedure Type II [4]. This report covers the second phase of the work directive that investigated the feasibility of a laboratory based method for determining efficiency gains from axle lubricants, and provides a preliminary axle test stand design that could be used for Army truck axles of varying sizes.