Background
Benefits of a Hydraulic System
The major benefits of a hydraulic transmission are: geometric placement, controllable power output, high efficiencies, and regeneration. Unlike a transmission that uses gears, sprockets, and chains, there is little adjustment required in order to align a hydraulic transmission. This allows for a more efficient selection of transmission ratio compared to geared transmissions, which have set gearing ratios. The controllable ratios allow the engine to run within its more efficient range. Hydraulic pumps and motors are now designed incredibly well, and are able to reach efficiencies of 95%. Finally, regeneration is a system that can store energy, while a fixed gear system cannot perform such an operation.
Component Background
Hydraulic pumps and motors come in many different varieties, and each has its own benefits. However, for our design, an axial piston pump and gerotor motor are the best fits. An axial piston pump uses a swashplate, which helps control the pressure and volume of hydraulic fluid running through the system. This pump, along with the highly efficient gerotor motor, will help our system run at optimum conditions to ensure fuel efficiency.