Single-Fluid Forward

Integrated Vehicle Lubrication System Technology

utilizes engine oil (OE) as a single lubricant and working fluid for all vehicle systems (engine, transmission, hydraulics, steering, etc.) except axles. SFF combines otherwise separate fluid reservoirs and fluids into a single integrated system, with one self-prioritized reservoir servicing multiple subsystems without redundant stand-alone sumps and filters. In addition to reducing vehicle system components, complexity, weight and cost, the SFF filters and de- aerates isolated yet shared fluid reserves, while simultaneously maintaining consistent fluid temperature (viscosity) and fluid condition in severe operating environments.

Island City, LLC, developed SFF specifically for defense vehicles that have demonstrated performance benefits on heavy, medium and light vehicle platforms. First installed on the USMC LVSR Technical Demonstrator in 1998, Island City exclusive common hydraulic system technology is described in two United States Patents 6,227,221 and 7,610,927. SFF is adaptable to all defense and commercial vehicle systems, and offers significant benefit in new and retrofit applications. The more hydraulically intensive a vehicle system, the more is gained with SFF technology. Single-Fluid-Forward® integrates wide-ranging vehicle principle and ancillary hydraulic/lubrication functions into a single system:

-Transmission
-Torque Converter
-Modulated driveline clutch (Mod Clutch)
- External slave and slaving (exportable hydraulic power)
- Hydrostatic fully modulated braking retarder
- Hydraulic powered cooling fan, 2-speed
- Hydraulic powered cooling fan, modulated
- Primary steering boost
- Remote (rear) electronic controlled steering hydraulic supply
- Secondary (emergency) steering supply
- Hydraulic vehicle suspension strut charging
- LHS
- SRW
- MHC
- Arctic engine rapid warm-up and crew cab heat
- Air conditioning motor drive
- Exportable electric power drive
- Marine (thruster) drive
- Fire control hydraulic system
- Integrated fire-fighting apparatus
- Engine oil Top-off
- Transmission fluid Top-off
- Cab lift
- Many others…

Key Performance Parameters

• One reservoir and one lubricant for the entire vehicle (except axles).

• Fluid level for entire vehicle checked at one gage.

• Engine top-off, transmission, retarder, LHS, steering, cooling fan, auxiliary hydraulics and others are all operated on standard engine oil utilizing one reservoir.

• Internal reservoir compartments maintain transmission/main hydraulics, primary and secondary steering system dedicated reserve volumes within the SFF reservoir.

• Synthetic lubricants (0W40) permit operation between –50°F and +125°F with a single lubricant. Synthetic lubricants further extend lubricant operating life and peak temperatures without lubricant breakdown.

• Improved oil cleanliness with no dipsticks, and filtered top-off oil.

• No electrical power or ECU is required to carry out principle functions – SFF will continue to operate indefinitely without electrical power.

• Consistent and correct operating temperature reached without regard to outside ambient temperature. All oil is maintained at optimal temperature within moments of engine start, as the main hydraulic pump is available to bring all oil systems and engine coolant rapidly to operating temperature.

• Consistent oil viscosity delivered throughout hydraulic system from shared supply reservoir.

• Oil is delivered through a single cooler - multiple system coolers are not required.

• Prolongs oil life as there is less deterioration with larger shared oil volume, efficient filtration, and water removal.

• Reduced total oil volume through sharing oil between systems.

• Maintains emergency reserve oil quality. Example: Emergency steering is used if the primary steering system fails – in conventional hydraulic systems emergency steering oil remains unused for extended periods to collect water, and contaminants while remaining at the ambient temperature. SFF uses this oil as part of a shared yet isolated oil reserve where it is continuously filtered, de-watered and heated – ready to use.

• Shared but compartmented oil. Example, if a steering failure occurs, a larger oil volume is available to maintain emergency steering boost capability – improved opportunity to get a vehicle off the road in an emergency or escape threats.

• Improves oil entrained air removal with de-aeration provisions located in the central reservoir.

• Maintains homogenous system fluid temperature through forced reservoir mixing.

• Eliminates system filters – multiple stand-alone filters are replaced with one central high performance, high capacity return-filter.

• System automatically “tops off” engine oil sump. Initial engine oil fill is performed manually, proper level is maintained automatically.

• Reduced low temperature engine starting load – no main hydraulic pump load during engine cranking.

• Improved braking – main pump employed as a hydrostatic retarder to slow vehicle motion without additional components, weight or cost.

• Reduced components and cost as compared to conventional hydraulic systems.

• Smaller target area (lower hit probability) as compared to multiple-reservoir conventional hydraulic systems.

• Configurable to common automatic transmission systems.

• Enhances transmission operation with OE as a operating fluid