jacobs vehicle systems unveiled a new high power density (hpd) engine brake at the iaa commercial vehicle show in hannover, germany in september. the hpd will double trucks’ braking power at low speeds with the intention of improving fuel efficiency and improving thermal management.

(youtube)

sergio sgarbi, jacobs vehicle systems president, said, “jacobs invented the high power density engine brake five years ago, bringing the technology to the point where this year, we became ready to invite customers to drive it for the first time in a modified demo truck…we see a perfect opportunity for the hpd brake in europe, where there is a premium on retarding power and where jacobs’ conventional compression release engine braking has been adopted by daimler, renault, daf, deutz and volvo.”

the hpd meets the demands of global engine suppliers to meet the trend of down speeding and smaller engines. these trends are based on the growing desire for better fuel economy and more cost-effective vehicles.

jacobs transformed the four-stroke engine into a two-stroke compression device by “deactivating the main intake and exhaust valve events.” the statement continued, “whereas a conventional engine brake has one compression release and one brake gas recirculation event per cam rotation, this innovative and patented two-stroke technology achieves two braking events per cam rotation.”

the engine brake will benefit drivers for better control but also the companies by being a cheaper alternative to hydraulic retarder devices.

learn more about the jacobs engine brake at http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com/news/the-record-breaking-future-of-engine-braking-comes-to-iaa.

also, watch the following video to see the brake in action: