MPMA paper offers advice on electrification of machinery

The Motion and Power Manufacturer’s Alliance (MPMA) has published AGMA 948-A26 Electrified Vehicle Drivetrains, a paper for engineers working with hybrid electric, battery electric and plug-in hybrid machines.

Developed over a two-year period, the document covers applications in such sectors as construction, agriculture, mining equipment, tracked vehicles and marine propulsion, together with light cars and trucks.

The document covers how electrification can impact other components in an otherwise standard internal combustion powertrain.

AGMA 948-A26 Electrified Vehicle Drivetrains explains more about duty cycles, drivetrain configurations, noise and vibration, gear design, bearings, seals, lubrication and thermal management.

For example, higher motor speeds can affect gear and bearing design, while regenerative braking can introduce reverse loading.

Jeff Daniels, project engineer at Twin Disc and one of the 22 contributors to the document, said: “Electric motors behave differently than internal combustion engines, and you have to account for that when you’re designing the drivetrain.

“You’re dealing with higher speeds, different torque characteristics and more complex load paths and load case combinations than exist in traditional designs. Those differences can affect how you approach the gears, bearings, lubrication and other components.”

The Motion and Power Manufacturers Alliance was formed with the merger of the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). MPMA develops industry standards and technical resources, with gear-related standards and information sheets.

AGMA 948-A26 Electrified Vehicle Drivetrains is available through the Motion and Power Manufacturers Alliance website (Click here)