Independent Hydrostatic Wheel Drives

Principal Investigators
Beshah Ayalew, Steve Hung (Clemson U.)

Industry
Qinghui Yuan (Eaton Corporation)

Government
Peter Schihl, Mike Letherwood (TARDEC)

Student
Fan Zeng (Clemson U.)

The project will develop simulation tools that integrate a multi-wheel hydrostatic drive system and vehicle dynamics analysis tools focusing on off-road driving conditions. The developed tools will allow the US Army to evaluate current and future technologies involving hydraulic powertrains such as hydraulic hybrids from the perspective of integrated vehicle handling control and drive train control.

We seek to increase the stability and hence the safety of vehicles by incorporating electronically controlled independent wheel hydrostatic drives. The proposed system has great potential for improved yaw stability control via fast actuation of differential braking/traction with wheel mounted pump/motor units. In addition, by collaborating with our industry partner Eaton, to achieve a new, light weight, space-saving and energy-efficient drive system that integrates enhanced stability functionality. There is also a direct efficiency gain from regenerative braking. This will help extend the life of the friction brakes. The drive system will eliminate or greatly simplify current mechanical transmissions providing space that could be used for other functionality for the Army.