Power management company Eaton has introduced Procision, a new line of medium duty dual clutch transmissions, that delivers 8 to 10 percent better fuel economy than a similarly equipped vehicle with a torque converter automatic.
Scheduled to be available in the North American market mid-year in 2015 and available globally in the future, the new 7-speed transmissions feature a dual clutch design and electronic shifting that uses grade, vehicle weight and throttle input to provide optimal fuel efficiency and smooth, continuous delivery of torque to a vehicle’s wheels under all shift conditions.
“Small businesses rely on their class 6 and 7 medium duty trucks to deliver goods and perform tough jobs on a daily basis,” said John Beering, senior vice president and general manager, Eaton Commercial Vehicle Transmission. “The all-new Eaton Procision is the first dual clutch transmission for class 6-7 in North America. Its smart features deliver more savings and driver confidence, and is the ideal transmission solution for medium-duty applications.”
Eaton employed the dual clutch technology to allow for more efficient acceleration from a stopped position, and to optimize shift points that will efficiently get to the highest gear. Gear changes are made by swapping the engine torque between clutches with the next gear preselected. “The highly efficient dual clutch technology with a closed loop control system significantly reduces slip and steady state losses that are associated with torque converter automatic transmissions,” said Jeff Carpenter, engineering manager, Medium-Duty Procision.
The dual clutch module is fully contained within the transmission, hydraulically controlled and  oil cooled for extended life. A five-spring damper is used to control torsional vibrations and is fully sealed to eliminate contamination.
“Our customers had direct input on the features they want in a medium duty transmission, and because of this real-world input the Eaton Procision is smart from the word go,” said Joe Semaan, commercial vehicle segment director, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “It is easy to tailor, which is key for fleet owners looking to put trucks on the road that best meet their business needs.”
