Caterpillar named a 2013 Silver Edison Award Winner

Words: Sharon AlbrightCaterpillar Inc. is bringing home the silver for its first-ever commercialized machine that uses hydraulic hybrid technology. The Cat® 336E H hybrid excavator earned the prize in the Energy/Transportation category at the 26th annual Edison Awards, which were announced April 25 in Chicago, Ill. The new Cat “hydraulic hybrid” technology captures and reuses swing kinetic energy to help lower customers’ owning and operating costs. Namely, the 336E H uses up to 25 percent less fuel compared to a standard 336E and is up to 50 percent more efficient compared to a 336D excavator.

The Edison Awards, named after world-famous inventor Thomas Alva Edison, recognize game-changing innovations that are at the forefront of new product and service development, marketing and human centered design, and are one of the highest accolades a company can receive in the name of successful innovation. Not only is this the first time Caterpillar has won an Edison Award, it is also the company’s first nomination.

“At Caterpillar, we do not create new technologies just for technology’s sake, or simply to prove that we can,” said Rob Charter, vice president of Caterpillar’s Excavation Division. “We are squarely focused on supporting our customers’ success. Caterpillar engineers developed the hydraulic hybrid technology, which is a ground up, fully integrated design, which will benefit our customers with lower fuel costs, reduced exhaust emissions and a smaller carbon footprint–all without any compromise in production or reliability. We’re honored to receive an award that helps validate Caterpillar’s innovative technology.”

More than 300 patents were filed on the new technologies incorporated in the Cat hybrid. Caterpillar defines a hybrid machine as one that is equipped with a device to collect, store and release energy during machine operation. The 336E H captures energy when the machine slows down or stops, and then releases it as the machine accelerates. On a typical job site, an excavator may repeat the same cycle every several seconds, which represents a significant energy savings opportunity.

The Cat 336E H was unveiled in October 2012, and is now being sold and serviced exclusively through the Cat dealer network.
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