DDISPLACE

"Off-road work vehicles use hydraulic systems for propulsion and for work functions, such as digging and lifting. The 'analog' technology of conventional hydraulics suffers from comparatively poor efficiency, and is difficult to interface to computer controls. The industry urgently needs new solutions to deliver the major CO2 reductions demanded by society, at a cost the market will accept now to allow for early and rapid deployment.

OEMs are developing alternative energy solutions, often focused on electrification but to accelerate adoption these need to be made commercially viable. A building block towards that is tackling the current inefficiency of the attached hydraulic system.

This project aims to introduce to the market a disruptive technology called 'Digital Displacement', a fundamental re-invention of hydraulic power for the digital age. Combining rugged mechanics with electronics and embedded software, these intelligent machines are digital from the ground up. Energy losses in both the pump and associated hydraulic system are reduced dramatically. New efficient system architectures are made possible, enabling energy to be recovered and re-used.

This is already proven to lower fuel consumption between 20% and 40%, and has potential for more than 50% reduction when fully developed. Whether machines are powered by engines or electricity in future, it offers the most efficient way to control the high-force multi-axis movements of heavy machinery. Ten years from launch it is forecast to have saved approximately 10 MT of CO2.

These new machines will offer significant operating cost reductions due to reduced energy consumption and higher productivity, without requiring expensive or rare materials or exotic production processes to manufacture. John Hyde Engineering Ltd will support Danfoss by developing a process to supply machined cast components and investing in skills development.

The project is supported by leading vehicle manufacturers with active early engagement in their machine lifecycle development supporting the route to commercialisation within the key excavator market.

Danfoss investment in a new £25 million facility in Scotland, to be operational in 2023 will exploit and build on key milestone achievements derived from the project, positioning the UK at the centre of a ‘digital revolution’ in the off-road vehicle industry."