AC AND DC ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEMS
An electrical drive system uses electrical components in place of many of the components used in mechanical drive trucks. These electrical components contain fewer mechanical wear parts, reducing the need to replace these parts as frequently as needed in a mechanical drive system, resulting in lower operating costs for the electric drive system.
An electric drive also offers significant tractive effort advantages. For example, a truck equipped with the GE150AC™ drive system provides higher tractive effort and increased speed on uphill and flat haul profiles, pushing the continuous motoring capability to an equivalent grade of 12% at a gross vehicle weight of 550,000lb. The system also provides electrical retarding to near 0mph greatly reducing service brake wear.
The system also has many operational advantages including the control of wheel slip and slide thus reducing tire wear. Smart algorithms take signals from both wheels to control slip/slide of wheels delivering a much smoother ride compared to a mechanical differential. Since the current to the traction motor controls the torque and speed, the drivers do not experience shift shocks delivering a smoother ride for the operator.
