Power Systems
System provider for innovative solutions in the automotive and energy industries
The Power Systems division is a system provider for high-quality and innovative (mobility) solutions, control technologies and digital applications for the automotive and energy industries, among others.
With its business units and business areas, the division stands for outstanding expertise in the following areas: Air Management, Thermal Management, e-mobility and digitalization, hydrogen technology, metallic plain bearings, composite materials and lightweight construction. The Power Systems division also represents Rheinmetall's global aftermarket activities through the Trade business unit.
Air Management
The Air Management business unit focuses on systems and components for air and exhaust gas management in combustion engines. Particular attention is paid to the minimization of exhaust and CO2 emissions as well as the thermal management of the exhaust aftertreatment system. The portfolio also includes high-performance small blowers for conveying fuel vapor and air as well as the associated shut-off and control valves. Another focus is on space-neutral, collision-proof and drive-over 230V AC charging systems for electrified vehicles (plug-in hybrids and BEVs).
Bearings
The Bearings business unit is one of the world's leading suppliers of highly developed plain bearings for vehicles, industrial applications and other applications such as wind turbines and mechanical engineering.
The BU's strengths lie in the development of optimized materials, processes and surface treatments to meet customer-specific requirements. In addition to classic plain bearings, the BU Bearings also operates a continuous casting plant at its Papenburg site, where semi-finished products for the piping industry, for example, are manufactured for worldwide distribution.
The BU Bearings portfolio is rounded off by complex turned and milled parts, which are used in various defense applications, among others.
Castings
The Castings business unit, with KS HUAYU AluTech in Germany and HASCO KPSNC in China, has been an expert in highly complex aluminum castings using die casting and low-pressure casting processes for many decades and contributes its extensive expertise in the production of aluminum cylinder heads, cylinder crankcases and structural components, among other things. The product portfolio is rounded off with components for electric drive housings and the global partnerships are expanded through license business.
Electrification & Digitalization
In the field of electrification, the Electrification & Digitalization business unit focuses on high-voltage switches such as contactors and pyro fuses, which ensure highly efficient, safe switching on and off of electric vehicles.
In addition, components for power electronics, including DC-Link capacitors and power modules, are being developed and, as part of digitalization, InCabin Sensing for monitoring vehicle interiors is being worked on intensively. The aim is to effectively improve driver safety and comfort together with DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH, Germany's largest biometrics company, in the joint venture "Rheinmetall Dermalog SensorTec".
The Electrification & Digitalization business unit remains an international leader in the development and manufacture of solenoid valves.
Thermal Management
The Thermal Management (TM) business unit focuses on the development of components, modules and systems for e-mobility and industrial applications. In addition to many years of expertise, the BU can draw on a wide range of products that can be used in many areas. In these areas, the products take over the thermal management of:
- Fuel cell applications
- Battery management systems
- Power electronics
- Motors (incl. lubrication)
- Passenger cells
- Industrial storage and server areas
A major advantage of business unit TM is that thermal modules already developed and researched in automotive technology can also be used in the industrial sector, usually with only minor modifications. As a heat pump also works on the principle of a thermal module, the industrial sector is within achievable reach.
Trade
The Trade business unit (Motorservice Group) acts as a sales organization for Rheinmetall's global aftermarket activities and is a leading supplier of engine components for the independent aftermarket. With premium brands such as Kolbenschmidt, Pierburg, TRW Engine Components and the BF and Turbo by Intec brands, Motorservice offers its trade and repair shop customers a wide and comprehensive range of top-quality products.
Hydrogen
In the Hydrogen business area, the divison Power Systems focuses on the development and production of fuel cell components and systems. This includes balance of plant components such as valves on the cathode side and pumps on the anode side.
The development of components is aimed at enabling the efficient and reliable use of fuel cells. H2 applications and products are planned for various segments, including mobility (cars, trucks, buses, trains, maritime systems), stationary systems and industry.
In addition to Balance of Plant components, the Hydrogen business area also focuses on hydrogen production and storage and contributes to climate neutrality and CO2 reduction with its overall foodprint.
Invent
The INVENT business area develops, produces and sells components, parts and systems. The focus is on the development of new products with new technologies and processes that contribute to the product diversification and transformation of the Power Systems division. The business area is currently working on Energy Recovery Systems, Hydrogen and Carbon Structural Parts.
Product fields of INVENT
The heat pump module, designed in particular for the electrification of drive systems in commercial vehicles, buses, construction machinery and boats, was marketed to various industrial customers with a wide range of application concepts and established there. Thanks to its intelligent cooling and heat management, the product increases the range of the vehicles and the service life of the battery. Its major advantages are its compactness and modularity. The system can be easily integrated into existing vehicle architectures.
With the hydrogen tanks currently under development, INVENT offers a higher storage capacity, reduced material usage, higher cycle stability and therefore a longer service life for the tanks. The new winding technology is also a unique selling point.
CarbonTT is driving forward the product field of carbon structural parts. In addition to chassis applications for light commercial vehicles, impact protection systems and special elements for battery and fuel cell housings are also being developed here.
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