New Webasto Technology Keeps Truck Cabs Cool Overnight Without Idling Engine

New BlueCool Truck system cools cab and meets widespread anti-idling legislation

FENTON, Mich., April 1 -- A revolutionary new technology from Webasto called BlueCool Truck will keep the cab or sleeper bunk of a heavy- duty truck cool on hot nights without requiring the idling of the truck's engine or the running of an auxiliary power unit. This development, created by Webasto Product North America (WPNA) and its German parent company Webasto AG of Stockdorf, Germany, solves one of the biggest challenges presented by present and future anti-idling legislation aimed at heavy-duty vehicles across North America.

"BlueCool Truck presents a huge step forward in presenting solutions that assist fleet and owner operators to meet the regulations yet still provide interior comfort irrespective of the vehicle's location in hot or cold climates," said Rolf Lichtner, the director of marketing services at Webasto Product North America. "Paired with the successful and well-established range of Webasto truck cab auxiliary heaters in our C5 (Complete Cabin Climate Comfort Control) concept, BlueCool Truck completely eliminates the need for engine idling to condition the vehicle's interior environment.

"Not only is this good news for the environment, it's also good news for the truck operator. According to experts, idling diesel engines consume about a gallon of fuel every hour, so over time BlueCool Truck and our truck heaters save remarkable amounts of diesel fuel," added Lichtner. "Both BlueCool Truck and Webasto truck heaters truly are smart solutions to engine-off heavy-truck cab comfort."

The idling truck rules that the California Air Resources Board (ARB) recently began enforcing are typical of the legislation enacted by 20-plus states and cities across the United States. Under the ARB rules, which will be applied to any truck or bus operating within the state's borders regardless of where they were registered, the driver of any diesel-fueled commercial motor vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds shall not idle the vehicle's engine for more than five minutes when not engaged in work activities.

Unlike auxiliary cab heaters and engine pre-heaters which use the vehicle's on-board fuel tank as a direct energy source during the heating phase, the patent-pending BlueCool Truck system uses no diesel fuel during its cooling operation. The core technology is an innovative cold storage cell that is charged during the daytime when the truck is being driven. At night, the truck engine can be switched off, BlueCool Truck turned on and the system and cool air circulated to the cab interior.

BlueCool Truck runs independent of the vehicle's air-conditioner, utilizing only small amounts of electricity to circulate super-chilled coolant (between the cold storage unit and a heat exchanger in the truck sleeper cabin) and run four small, exceptionally quiet air distribution fans. Controls are remarkably simple: one rotary temperature knob and an infinitely variable fan speed control with an integrated on/off switch. Air vents are manually adjustable to provide optimal airflow throughout the cabin.

The 17,000 BTU cold storage unit incorporates Webasto proprietary technology in order to provide outstandingly efficient heat transfer, both during the charging and discharging (or cooling) phases. A key design element is the use of a graphite matrix to provide excellent heat conductivity between the circulated coolant and the core of the cold storage unit. The result is a remarkable capacity for absorbing heat and the ability to cool the cab's interior over a prolonged period, even in high ambient temperatures. Tests have demonstrated the capability to cool a truck's sleeper cab to below 70 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately nine hours, even in 90-plus F. ambient temperatures.

BlueCool Truck will debut at the Mid-America Trucking Show taking place March 31 - April 2 and start production in early summer 2005.

Webasto Product North America, Inc., based in Fenton, Michigan, provides a wide range of sunroofs, thermosystems and other products to the passenger vehicle and light- and heavy-duty truck aftermarkets. It is a subsidiary of Webasto AG, one of the world's largest suppliers of open-roof systems and thermosystems to the automotive industry. The 103-year old company is based in Stockdorf, Germany and employs over 5,000 people in 43 countries.

For additional information go to http://www.webasto.us/