Cummins Newsroom: Our Innovation, Technology and Services

History of diesel engines

Model F

Rudolf Diesel and Clessie Cummins have many things in common. The most notable being their desire to find efficient solutions to problems with one goal in mind – making the world a better place. The invention of advanced diesel engines has continued and will continue to shape our world. With organizations like Cummins at the helm, advancements in diesel technology will undoubtedly propel us all into a safer and more prosperous future – something Rudolf Diesel and Clessie Cummins would be proud of. Learn all about how we got here and where we’re going in our brief guide to the history, and the future, of diesel engines.

 
Invention of diesel engines: Who made the first diesel engine?

“The automobile engine will come, and then I will consider my life's work complete.”
Rudolf Diesel

In 1897, after patenting the first compression ignition engine design in 1892, the German inventor and mechanical engineer Rudolf Diesel successfully created the first diesel engine prototype. Following this initial introduction to Diesel’s design, the Rudolf Diesel engine became one of the most common engines used in power generation applications. Having undergone numerous upgrades and developments over the years, the diesel engine continues to be a cornerstone of almost all modern industries and has indisputably shaped the world we live in today.

What did the first diesel engine run on?

One of the first fuels Rudolf Diesel considered was vegetable seed oil. This idea eventually led to the creation of biodiesel which is still a popular fuel of choice for today’s modern diesel engines. Currently, diesel fuel is created by refining crude oil and other biomass materials. Although diesel fuel is derived from the sources mentioned above, the specifics of the fuel’s composition differ depending on which type of diesel engine fuel is being discussed. In the modern age, there are three common types of diesel engine fuel available: 

  1. Diesel #1: This fuel has lower viscosity, allowing the engine to run better in colder temperatures. Additionally, diesel #1 fuel has additives and lubricants designed to keep the engine cleaner, but this fuel burns faster.
  2. Diesel #2: Thicker than Diesel #1, this is commonly used because it is less expensive and more fuel efficient.
  3. Biodiesel: This fuel is made out of plant oils and/or animal fats and needs to meet different quality standards before being used in any diesel engine. 

In addition to different types of diesel fuel, there are now three types of diesel engine in use today. Each engine is classified by its size: 

  1. Small diesel engine- Used in light trucks, agriculture equipment, and construction machinery.
  2. Medium diesel engine- Often used in heavy-duty commercial trucks.
  3. Large diesel engine- Used to power trains, ships, and large generators. 

How did the diesel engine impact society?

Since its invention, the diesel engine has been used to power our world, and that’s no overstatement. Diesel engines offer many advantages, powering many vehicles like delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, construction machinery, military vehicles, and more. In addition to powering motorized vehicles, the diesel engine is used to run generators which can provide electricity to remote locations and emergency power supplies for large facilities like hospitals. There are countless advantages to using diesel engines.

The Drive for Innovation: A brief highlight reel of Cummins’ impact on modern diesel engines

1919: Cummins Recognizes the Potential of the Diesel Engine

In 1919 Clessie Cummins founded Cummins Engine Co. in Columbus, Indiana. In partnership with William G. Irwin, Cummins Co. became one of the first to recognize the groundbreaking technology developed by Rudolf Diesel, transforming Cummins into one of the world’s leading diesel engine brands.

1924: Cummins Challenges the Impossible

Using Clessie Cummins' patented direct-injection design from 1921, Cummins successfully adapted Rudolf Diesel’s engine design to create its own Model F Engine. So begins a long history of innovation for Cummins Co.

1928: The Cummins Model U Engine Drives Towards the Future

The creation of the Model U engine accelerated Cummins Co. towards automotive power. This critical invention was more than a win for the company and should be marked as a historical advancement for the entire mechanical engineering field. Three years after the invention of the Model U engine, Clessie Cummins staged one of his famous public exhibitions and sent an Indiana truck equipped with a Cummins Model U engine on a journey from New York City to Los Angeles. This was the first Cummins truck powered exclusively by a Cummins Model U diesel engine, allowing the truck to complete its journey in a record-breaking running time of just 97 hours. This speed and longevity was unheard of, and was achieved decades before the creation of the US interstate highway system.

If you’re interested in learning more about Cummins’ drive to innovate, see our interactive timeline

Cummins and the future of diesel engines

How does the diesel engine help us today? It’s one of the many frequently asked questions about diesel. Time and time again, the diesel engine has been upgraded and reinvented to adapt to the ever-changing needs of modern society. Working towards a carbon neutral future remains one of the most pressing tasks innovators face today. The continuous improvement of diesel technology plays a vital role in efforts to further reduce greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants. With these pressing matters in mind, Cummins’ continues to spearhead innovations that increase the efficiency of modern diesel engines. This includes:

●    Increasing waste-heat recovery
●    Reducing engine friction
●    Offering companies and consumers a broad portfolio of power solutions
●    Use of biodiesels (B20) in our diesel engines, while continuing to look towards the use of B50 and B100 diesel

Cummins continuously re-energize their mission and technology to propel society into an efficient and sustainable future – a future that innovators like Rudolf Diesel and Clessie Cummins would be proud of.

Discover how Cummins is powering a more prosperous world here.

 

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Cummins Custompaks are being used for water management as Thailand struggles with its water crisis

by Cummins Inc., Global Power Technology Leader
CustomPak on site

Water crisis

Sixty Cummins Inc. CustomPaks are in service in Thailand as part of a critical water management plan aimed at easing the country’s water crisis – a crisis that has caused enormous economic and social damage and stirred conflict among communities.

Over the past several decades, Thailand has continually faced water problems caused by severe drought. Water reserves in dams and reservoirs are insufficient while water resources are often contaminated with toxins caused by urban communities and the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Severe flooding is a threat, too, at a time when the realities of climate change are hanging over the country.

As a result, the allocation of precious water resources, which must be shared among various stakeholders including new and existing industry, large and small agriculture, and cities and villages has become a flashpoint.

Kittithanapat Engineering Co. (KTP), has been involved in the water management system since 1996, working closely with authorities such as the Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Water Resources, Bangkok Metropolitan Authority and others.

CustomPaks on site

600 hp CustomPaks

To help KTP meet its often urgent requirements, Cummins DKSH (Thailand) has recently supplied 60 Australian-built CustomPaks – 45 powered by Cummins’ X15 engine rated at 600 hp, and 15 powered by the QSL9 rated at 325 hp. These fully self-contained powerpacks are emissions certified to Tier 3.

The CustomPaks are coupled to hydraulically-driven, large-volume submersible water pumps sourced by KTP from US company Moving Water Industries (MWI); KTP is the exclusive distributor in Thailand for these MWI Hydroflo pumps.

Prior to Cummins’ involvement, KTP was using another diesel engine brand but service support wasn’t up to the standard required.

Long-serving KTP engineer Kittisak Thanasoot says Cummins DKSH’s reputation for technical and aftersales support along with the reliability of the Cummins product were a key reason behind KTP’s decision to specify the CustomPaks for the Royal Irrigation Department.

The ability of Cummins DKSH to respond to short delivery times was also important.

“Supplying large quantities of high horsepower diesel engines for emergency situations such as flash flooding can be a challenge for KTP,” says Kittisak Thanasoot.

“Responding to the needs of the government agencies to manage such problems in a timely manner and with least impact on communities, KTP has found the answer in our partnership with Cummins DKSH.”

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Power, pride and passion

by Cummins Inc., Global Power Technology Leader
Parked semi truck

The switch back to Cummins power has been beneficial for iconic New Zealand company Uhlenberg Haulage. It's all about whole-of-life costs.

Uhlenberg Haulage is closing in on 60 years in business, having been founded in 1966 by Mike and Carol Uhlenberg.

Based in Eltham, Taranaki, in New Zealand’s North Island, the operation is today owned and operated by their sons Chris, Daryl and Tony Uhlenberg.

Describing the Uhlenbergs as “old school family truckies”, Daryl talks about the company’s time-honored journey with a definite tone of pride, especially the work of his parents in laying the foundations for what is today an iconic fleet in its own right.

Cummins Inc. made its debut in the Uhlenberg fleet in 1971 with an NH250 powering a second-hand Kenworth K923 used in logging. A second Kenworth, a new W924 with a Cummins NTC335, followed soon after hauling an LPG tanker.

The Uhlenberg operation today comprises 40 prime movers and a variety of trailing gear to cater for the myriad of a jobs the fleet is involved in.

A number of Peterbilts feature in the fleet although Kenworth is now the brand of choice with six new units to be delivered over the next 12 months to cater for business growth.

Cummins’ X15 Euro 5 engine rated at 550 or 600 hp is the preferred power specification, with 18 red engines currently in the fleet.

Uhlenberg family in front of truck

Whole-of-life support

“The switch to Cummins has been a very good experience for us. We have nothing but praise for the Cummins organization,” says Daryl.

“The whole-of-life picture is the key thing for us and we’ve got that nailed with the support we get from Cummins – parts availability, scheduled maintenance, life expectancy and in-frame rebuilds.

“So the red engines turn up, we run them to life, which is 900,000 to 1.2 million kilometers, and then Cummins does an in-frame overhaul in a timely manner. If there’s an issue, parts and support are close by.

“The support we get from Cummins Palmerston North is fantastic, second to none.”

Daryl recently looked under a Kenworth that was in the workshop for a service and was surprised to see no oil leaking from the one-million-kilometer X15. “I remember when I was a fitter we had to wear a raincoat when working under a truck,” he jokes.

Fuel agnostic

Acknowledging that the push to decarbonize is now “very real”, Daryl likes the idea of Cummins’ fuel agnostic concept where one base internal combustion engine, optimized to run on diesel, can also be customized to run on ultra-low and zero-carbon fuels like renewable natural gas and hydrogen.

“My father was a pioneer of linehaul trucking in New Zealand and he always embraced new technology. He was never scared of it,” he says.

“I tend to be a little more cautious but I can see where a 500 hp natural gas or hydrogen engine would work for us in short haul applications,” he admits. “We’re certainly willing to look closely at these alternative fuel technologies when suitable infrastructure is in place.”

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