Concentric variable flow oil and water pumps in US Supertruck

Variable flow oil pumps developed by Concentric AB are making a significant
contribution to the US-funded “Supertruck” program which is developing a new
generation of fuel-efficient heavy-duty trucks.
Concentric variable flow oil and water pumps in US Supertruck

Variable flow oil pumps developed by Concentric AB are making a significant
contribution to the US-funded “Supertruck” program which is developing a new
generation of fuel-efficient heavy-duty trucks.

In January 2010, US Department of Energy launched a four-year program with the
objective of developing technologies to improve over-the-road fuel consumption
of a Class 8 truck by 50%. Three cost-shared projects were awarded to Cummins,
Navistar and Daimler Trucks North America, while Volvo Group joined the program
some 18 months later. Program costs are estimated at $270 million in total, made
up of DOE grants and matched funding from the manufacturers.

The “Supertruck” programme, as it has become known, encompasses aerodynamics,
weight and rolling resistance, advanced transmissions and electronic controls
for optimization as well as engine improvements. Three years on, not only has
the 50% improvement been shown to be within reach but many of the technologies
are expected to be production-viable for the next generation of trucks.

The engine building block for this objective translated into an improvement of
around 20%. Interestingly, in the same period, a target brake thermal efficiency
of 55% has now become the market benchmark for future heavy-duty diesels in
Europe as well as North America.

To quote a recent Cummins press release, research to this end has focused on
“numerous changes in the combustion system as well as advances to reduce
internal friction and so-called “parasitic power” – excess power the engine
needs to run such things as lube and coolant pumps and air compressors.”

Concentric, a specialist in the design and manufacture of lube and cooling pumps
for commercial diesels, has been developing its variable flow technology for 10
years now and in the last three years has been working with most of the
participants in the DOE program and their European counterparts. The company has
been able to demonstrate various levels of technology to address all drive cycle
options, whether by improved efficiency of conventional pumps, or by single
-stage hydraulic through to electronically-controlled infinitely variable pumps
offering the maximum potential for power savings.

David Woolley, President and CEO of Concentric AB commented: “We are extremely
proud to be involved so widely across the Supertruck program and of the
contribution that our technology has been able to make. Our products have
clearly demonstrated the real potential for parasitic power saving. Moreover, as
the industry has become aligned in pursuit of the fully-mapped lube and cooling
strategies that these technologies enable, Concentric's products been validated
to a level of durability expected by the heavy truck market. They are indeed
ready for the trucks of tomorrow!”

ENDS

Issued on behalf of: Concentric AB, 3 The Archway, Radford Road, Alvechurch,
Birmingham B48 7LD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)845 3700 848. Fax: +44 (0)845 3700 849.
Website: www.concentric (http://www.concentric-pumps.co.uk/)ab.com E-mail:
info.gbal@concentricab.com (info.hydraulics.eu@concentricab.com)

By David Sommerlad, Grafton House, North Hills, Brill, Bucks.HP18 9TH. UK. Tel:
+44 (0)1844 238352. E-mail: david@dspr.co.uk

CAPTION

A recent version of Concentric's variable flow oil pump

About Concentric

Concentric is an innovator in flow control and fluid power, supplying
proprietary systems and components for trucks, buses and industrial vehicles,
worldwide. The company encompasses two technology/product areas, hydraulics and
pumps for diesel engines. The hydraulics range is supplied under the Haldex
brand name and the pumps are branded Concentric.

With over 1,000 employees and yearly sales of approximately 2.2 billion Swedish
Kronor, Concentric AB is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange
(www.concentricAB.com).