Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/551927
50 • August 2015 www.concreteproducts.com The top U.S. heavy-duty truck dealer's par- ent company bills its newest business as the source of the first complete compressed nat- ural gas (CNG) fuel system for Class 6 to Class 8 trucks—offering support from design and manufacturing, to sales and ongoing service throughout the equipment life cycle. "With Rush Truck Centers' expertise in natural gas truck sales and service and an unsurpassed support network, we are well positioned to launch Momentum Fuel Tech- nologies," says Rush Enterprises Chairman W.M. "Rusty" Rush. Citing ACT Research Co. estimates on adoption rates for diesel power alternatives in Class 8 models, he adds, "We believe preference for natural gas vehicles will continue to grow, increasing nearly five- fold in the next five years." With a 109,000-sq.-ft., Dallas–Ft. Worth metroplex operation to house major com- ponent manufacturing, Momentum offers side-mount and back-of-cab mount systems with tanks sized for short- to long-haul die- sel gallon equivalents (DGE) capacity. Side- mount offerings include 40DGE and 45DGE systems with 176- to 220- mile and 198- to 248-mile range. An initial back-of-cab mount system is sized at 110DGE, with 506- to 633- mile range, to be followed later this year by a 150DGE (660-825 miles) system. Future product development will include an expanded range of configurations to meet the needs of a number of market segments. "We will work with Cummins and other major engine manufacturers to ensure [our] sys- tem is well integrated and optimized to work efficiently with current and developing tech- nology," notes Momentum General Manager Mike Zimmerman. The approach for the product line is based on innovative design, advanced safety fea- tures, installation expertise and a nationwide support network, he adds. Company officials extensively reviewed vehicle and fleet needs INNOVATIONS REPORT CNG FUELING Momentum Fuel Technologies carries Rush Enterprises into CNG solutions With 40- or 45-DGE (diesel gallon equivalents) tanks, Momentum's side-mount systems suit most concrete mixer, dump or tanker feets where vehicles return to the same location as part of daily time fll compressed natural gas refueling. Back-of-cab systems, with 110DGE and 150DGE tank options, favor longer hauls. with customers, then applied those findings to the CNG fueling solution design, engineer- ing and manufacture. Customers cited driver confidence, system weight, critical safety fea- tures, limiting downtime and support network. The Momentum CNG Fuel System is engi- neered to maximize fill rates; fuel flows straight from the manifold to the individual tanks using a parallel-flow fill system. A tem- perature-compensated fuel-level feature reflects accurate gas and pressure readings, easing driver concerns. An Electronic Con- trol Module converts tank readings through the Fuel Level Interface Module and out- puts the signal to the factory-installed fuel gauge. The system comes with both fast or transit fill and time fill fuel ports. The design includes oversized tubing with few bends and fittings, plus a high-flow ball valve. Operators can choose front-bumper or passenger-side fuel ports. LIGHTWEIGHT, DURABLE DESIGN The Momentum CNG Fuel System comprises lightweight aluminum and fiberglass com- posite materials with extruded aluminum in frame corners, base rails and cross mem- bers. Tanks use the latest 3MTM nanoparti- cle-enhanced matrix resin technology, which results in a 6 percent improvement in fiber delivered burst strength when compared to vessels with conventional resin. Body lines incorporated in side-mount styling and large-radius back-of-cab corners match cab styling, maintaining truck OEM aesthetics. An ergonomic, robust door latch is included for easy use with work gloves. Rubber isolators mounted between the ves- sels and truck frame rails minimize vibration and absorb system shock; piano hinges on doors maintain strength and durability. The electrical wiring harness includes heavy-du- ty Deutsch connectors with color-coded TXL wires. All systems come standard with neck-mounted tanks to eliminate erosion and extend life. Among Momentum CNG Fuel System safe- ty features, company engineers cite an area pressure relief device (PRD) which, in the event of a fire or other emergency, vents fuel out through tubes; quarter-turn heavy-duty ball valves for improved visibility of closed valves; high-pressure line color coding for ease of technician and driver identification; powder-coated live high-pressure PRD (blue) and fuel lines (red); and, fuel door safety warning system to prevent engine start if door is ajar. — Momentum Fuel Technolo- gies, Roanoke, Texas; 844/264-8265; http:// momentumfueltech.com