An innovative application for pneumatics helps power a unique  vehicle. The Hydrogen Hybrid Bus (HHB), was built by Golden, CO-based Proterra with funding from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, and is managed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE).

The HHB is operating  on existing bus routes through the Victoria, BC adding hilly, cold weather operations to the ongoing evaluation of the bus. The bus received significant positive exposure by operating throughout the Winter Olympic Games and was featured as part of a formal demonstration and media event on March 11, sponsored by the Southern Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Coalition (SHFCC).

The  bus is powered by lithium titanate batteries and two 16 kw hydrogen fuel cells, producing clean electric power in a lighter, quieter, and more aerodynamic design that is better suited for today’s transportation demands. The  only emission is water vapor. Although the bus was certified for use in the U.S., it successfully underwent additional testing and safety inspections in order to be driven in Canada. With more than twice the energy efficiency of other hybrid buses and four times that of conventional diesel buses, Proterra buses combine tremendous environmental benefits with substantial cost savings to the operator.

Hydrogen Hybrid Bus Details:

• The HHB is an electric hybrid bus that was purpose built for an electric drive train and can be configured with a wide variety of ‘engines’ or as battery electric only. This version uses clean fuel cells as the ‘engine’.
• The HHB carries 29 kilograms of hydrogen on board and can achieve up to a 480  km  range.
• The use of composite materials for the body makes it much lighter – and stronger – than conventional buses.
• Initial BC Transit evaluation has determined that the fuel economy for this bus in shadow service is approximately 70% better than typical  diesel buses.
• South Carolina and the University of South Carolina were selected as the primary site for the bus demonstration and evaluation because of their prominence in fuel cell and hydrogen research.
• The HHB meets Buy America Requirements while utilizing fuel cells provided by Hydrogenics (headquartered in Mississauga, Canada) representing a great US/Canadian partnership for technology development and job creation.

The Hydrogen Hybrid Bus was deployed in August 2009 and is engaged in a two-year demonstration and evaluation project to prove the feasibility of advanced hydrogen-fuel-cell technology applications for mass transit. The demonstration and evaluation project will be conducted in three cities; Columbia, SC, Austin, TX, and Victoria, B.C. Upon completion of the BC Transit demonstration, the bus will return to Columbia to continue its evaluation as part of the University of South Carolina shuttle fleet.

ASCO Numatics introduced a new family of ASCO modular gas safety shut-off valves with a compact double valve footprint and the industry’s highest flow rates. The valves are ideal for boilers, furnaces, ovens, heating equipment, gas generators, and kilns used in commercial and industrial applications.

ASCO’s modular gas safety shut-off valves are available in two product families. The 8214(200) Series two-way normally closed solenoid valves can be used for fuel gases up to 5 psi. The V710(B)/AH(E) Series two-way normally closed electro-hydraulic actuated valves can be used with fuel gases up to 15 psi. This series is available with fast- and slow-opening constructions. Both product families come in 3/4” to 3” pipe sizes and have aluminum body constructions with pressure taps up and downstream.

www.ascovalve.com

The cube-shaped pneumatic pressure sensor easily retrofits traditional pressure switches at a fraction of the price. Measuring only 32mm x 30mm x 42mm, the compact sensor can be installed in areas with limited mounting space.

Application parameters are established using two pushbuttons. The bright, four-digit display indicates system pressure and can be clearly seen from long distances. The sensor features two programmable switching outputs or one switching and one diagnostic output. In addition, the values can be programmed to change color depending on the switching output status (e.g., red if output 1 is switched; green if output 1 is not switched).

The technology is based on a piezo-resistive measuring element. The silicon measuring cell is insensitive to liquids (e.g. condensed water) and deposits that might occur in the system. The cell changes resistance when pressure is applied. The stress induced in the cell is transformed into an electric signal that is proportional to the pressure. The silicon measuring cell guarantees a high overload resistance as well as an accuracy of ± 0.5%.

For mounting purposes, the PQ pressure sensor can be fixed to flat surfaces and profiles using the sensor’s two M4 drill holes located in the front of the sensor. The PQ can be mounted to a DIN rail or connected to plates or manifolds using ifm’s robust DIN rail bracket. The sensor can be connected to air lines through the G-1/8 port using a 6mm or 8mm tubing adapter or a 1/8″ NPT adapter.

Two models are available. PQ7809 has a measuring range of -14.5 to 14.5 psi and the PQ7834 has a measuring range of -14.5 to 145 psi. Electrical connection is made through an M8 Pico DC connector.

www.ifm.com

The 470T is a versatile microprocessor based instrument which utilizes Setra’s Setraceram (TM) sensor, advanced digital electronic circuitry and sophisticated firmware. All combine to give a system accuracy of better than +0.02% full scale, in pressure ranges from 0 to 10, 20, 50, and 100 psia; 600 to 1100 mbar or 800 to 1100 mbar.

Equipped with a bi-directional RS232C digital communications I/O port for computer access, hi and lo alarm setpoints, zero/tare functions, and min/max value tracking, the 470T has applications in Automatic Weather Observations Systems (AWOS), Barometric Pressure Compensation for Wavelength of Laser Beams, Pressure Transfer Standard, Altimeter Calibration Recertification, Lab or Production Process Monitoring, Altitude chambers, and Weather Data Buoys.

www.setra.com

The Huco Dynatork air motor is quite ingenious.  It is based on a unique free-floating piston design that is capable of precise position control.   Maximum torque is transmitted on start-up and this can be adjusted to fine limits by standard air-flow valves.  Unlike other makes that operate with a system of metal pistons and connecting rods, the Huco Dynatork motor is perfect for stop/start load speed applications under load.

Unlike its vane counterpart the Huco Dynatork air motor is also easier to seal.  It is therefore far more cost efficient as most of the energy stored up in the compressed air is converted into motion.  In fact it consumes up to 80% less air than a vane motor providing significant cost saving even at maximum torque.

This is an exceptionally clean motor available with non-lube air supply and in a corrosion resistant or acetyl housing.  It’s little wonder then that this economical and efficient product has attracted designers of food preparation and packaging systems.  However, it has to be said that until now its commercial potential has been somewhat impeded. 

When Huco acquired Dynatork, the company inherited a product that was highly effective but remained a first generation design.  It had some design issues that hindered its take-up in the hygiene conscious sectors. The recently launched generation two of the design corrects these.  The new Huco Dynatork air motor not only looks the technical product that it has always been but it is now ideal for a wider range of applications.

 On the original design pneumatic tubing was external to the housing.  This made it vulnerable, sensitive to temperature extremes and difficult to clean.  The pneumatic porting on the latest models is now an internal feature making them far more robust.  Fasteners are also recessed to reduce potential bug traps.

 Aluminium foil tray manufacturer Coppice Alupack has systematically replaced all its electric drives on rewind systems that handle the surplus foil after the aluminium coil has been stamped.  Inclusion of Huco Dynatork air motors has not only simplified the design but also made it more controllable and safer.  Their clean, non-lube running has also ensured hygienic production. The Huco Dynatork motors run from 0 – 220 rpm for 24 hours a day in a cycle that goes from stall to start in the order of sixty times per minute.

“The piston air motor has allowed us to adjust most of the tension out of the system to eliminate lacing breakage,” explained Engineering Manager, James Lamin.  “It has also made the process inherently safer by reducing torque and negating the need for any electrical cables.”  A further benefit is that maintenance of the motors can now be carried out by a shop-floor technician instead of a skilled electrician, saving cost and minimising downtime.

The suitability of the Huco Dynatork motor for stop/start applications under load has also been proven by Greydon Inc., the manufacturer of printing equipment for form, fill and seal packaging machinery. Its Bagaire taped bag loader ensure bags are presented quickly and in exactly the same position to the operator, time after time.  This accuracy makes the system ideal for the inclusion of inkjet coding.

The operating principle is simple but effective.  A leader tape is wound around two drive pulleys. When powered up, the system advances the bags by winding up the tape and pulling them up from underneath the load table.  The Huco Dynatork air motor is responsible for this operation and again provides a clean solution that is also suitable for wash down.

Features and benefits include a rugged construction, automatic regeneration of desiccant, integral governor and check valve, integral purge chamber, and a heater is available for all models. The air dryers are available in a number of sizes to fit the needs of a variety of applications.

With annual sales exceeding $12 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 62,000 people in 48 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 52 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.

For more information, visit the company’s web site:
www.parker.com