Fluid Inertance Research Articles

The DLR ThermoFluid Stream Library

This paper introduces the DLR Thermofluid Stream Library: a free open-source library for the robust modeling of complex thermofluid architectures. Designed to be easy to use, easy to adapt, and enriched by a number of examples, this library contains the fundamental components for many different applications, such as thermal management of electric cars, power plants, or building physics. Different from many previous software implementations, the library exploits a new computational concept on the basis of the fluid inertance that derives the mass flow balance in such a manner that large non-linear equations systems in implicit form can be avoided. Hence, there is a reliable and efficient computational scheme for simulation and initialization. Although this scheme is explained in detail in previous publications, this paper focuses on the implementational aspects of the library, explaining its structure, the underlying equations of key components and providing basic examples. In addition to the practical value of the library, we also aim to display the underlying thought driving the design of the software.

Characteristic investigation of a flow-dependent inertia hydraulic converter driven by an equivalent fast switching valve

To acquire a linear load pressure with the potential of energy-saving compared with conventional throttling hydraulic systems, a switched hydraulic circuit (referred to as a flow-dependent inertia hydraulic converter) featuring a flow-dependent inertial effect was proposed. In this device, the flowing fluid modulated by an equivalent fast switching valve allows the fluid inertance at the connection pipe and rotation inertia incorporated in the flywheel to be combined. The theoretical and simulation models of the flow-dependent inertia hydraulic converter were established, and then the flow-dependent inertia was discussed and quantified. The predictions of the load pressure, flywheel speed and system efficiency were confirmed by experimental measurements. Results indicated that the theoretical and simulation predictions match well with the experiments for this configuration. The pressure wave propagation effect within the connection pipe is responsible for the variation in the transient load pressure and flywheel speed that is initially modulated by the rotation inertia theoretically, which seriously questions the predecessor's hypothesis of using a compressible volume to model the upstream connection pipe. The parabolic mean suction flow induced by the flow-dependent inertia draw our attention to the available supply flowrate and duty cycle. Finally, the throttling loss and system efficiency that varies with the desired characteristics is superior to that of conventional throttling hydraulic systems theoretically, and an acceptable system efficiency was obtained under the premise of ignoring friction experimentally.

Investigation of suction flow characteristic in the inertance hydraulic converters for efficiency improvement

The inertance hydraulic converter relies on fluid inertance to modulate flow or pressure and is considered to be a competitive alternative to the conventional proportional hydraulic system due to its potential advantage in efficiency. As the quantification of fluid inertance, the suction flow characteristic is the crucial performance indicator for efficiency improvement. To explore the discrepancy between the passive inertance hydraulic converter featured by the check valve and the active inertance hydraulic converter driven by an equivalent 2/3 way fast switching valve in regard to suction flow characteristics, analytical models of the inertance hydraulic converters were established in MATLAB/Simulink. The validated models of the respective suction components were incorporated in the overall analytical models and their suction flow characteristics were theoretically and experimentally discussed. The analytical predictions and experimental measurements for the current configurations indicated that the active inertance hydraulic converter yields a larger transient suction flow rate than that of the passive inertance hydraulic converter due to the difference of the respective suction components. The suction flow characteristic can be modulated using the supply pressure and duty cycle, which was confirmed by experimental measurements. In addition, the suction flow characteristics are heavily affected by the resistance of the suction flow passage and switching frequency. There is a compromise between the resistance and switching frequency for inertance hydraulic converters to achieve large suction flow rate.

Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composite Vibration Absorber for a Cantilever Beam

Fluidic flexible matrix composite (F2MC) tubes with resonant fluidic circuits can absorb vibration at a specific frequency when bonded to flexible structures. The transverse structural vibration applies cyclic axial strain to the F2MC tubes. The anisotropic elastic properties of the composite tube amplify the axial strain to produce large internal volume change. The volume change forces fluid through a flow port and into an external accumulator. The fluid inertance in the flow port (inertia track) and the stiffness of the accumulator are analogous to the vibration absorbing mass and stiffness in a conventional tuned vibration absorber. An analytical model of an F2MC-integrated cantilever beam is developed based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and Lekhnitskii's solution for anisotropic layered tubes. The collocated tip force to tip displacement analytical transfer function of the coupled system is derived. Experimental testing is conducted on a laboratory-scale F2MC beam structure that uses miniature tubes and fluidic components. The resonant peak becomes an absorber notch in the frequency response function (FRF) if the inertia track length is properly tuned. Tuning the fluid bulk modulus and total flow resistance in the theoretical model produces results that match the experiment well, predicting a magnitude reduction of 35 dB at the first resonance using an F2MC absorber. Based on the experimentally validated model, analysis results show that the cantilever beam vibration can be reduced by more than 99% with optimally designed tube attachment points and flow port geometry.

Behavioural prediction of hydraulic step-up switching converters

In this paper the fundamental principles of energy-conservative hydraulic control based on the fluid inertance principle are discussed and a detailed analysis of step-up switched-inertance control is presented. A non-loss system comprising an inertance tube and switching valve is modelled and its operational curves are presented as a reference for an ideal behaviour. Considering the load loss at both the tube and the PWM switched valve, a linear mathematical model for the step-up switched-inertance hydraulic system is presented which describes the pressure response as a function of the PWM duty cycle. Mathematical expressions of the flow rates through the tube and the supply and return ports as well as the system efficiency are also presented. A system prototype is evaluated on a test rig and the experimental data compared with the theoretical results, demonstrating the model accuracy. The proposed model simplifies the analysis process for step-up switching converters and thus their restrictions and potential can be investigated more quickly.

Cardiovascular Simulator Improvement: Pressure Versus Volume Loop Assessment

This article presents improvement on a physical cardiovascular simulator (PCS) system. Intraventricular pressure versus intraventricular volume (PxV) loop was obtained to evaluate performance of a pulsatile chamber mimicking the human left ventricle. PxV loop shows heart contractility and is normally used to evaluate heart performance. In many heart diseases, the stroke volume decreases because of low heart contractility. This pathological situation must be simulated by the PCS in order to evaluate the assistance provided by a ventricular assist device (VAD). The PCS system is automatically controlled by a computer and is an auxiliary tool for VAD control strategies development. This PCS system is according to a Windkessel model where lumped parameters are used for cardiovascular system analysis. Peripheral resistance, arteries compliance, and fluid inertance are simulated. The simulator has an actuator with a roller screw and brushless direct current motor, and the stroke volume is regulated by the actuator displacement. Internal pressure and volume measurements are monitored to obtain the PxV loop. Left chamber internal pressure is directly obtained by pressure transducer; however, internal volume has been obtained indirectly by using a linear variable differential transformer, which senses the diaphragm displacement. Correlations between the internal volume and diaphragm position are made. LabVIEW integrates these signals and shows the pressure versus internal volume loop. The results that have been obtained from the PCS system show PxV loops at different ventricle elastances, making possible the simulation of pathological situations. A preliminary test with a pulsatile VAD attached to PCS system was made.

Piezoelectrically actuated hydraulic valve design for high bandwidth and flow performance

The performance of hydraulically actuated machine systems could be improved with the use of valves that have high bandwidth and high flowrates under low pressure drops. Although high flowrates can be achieved using very large spool strokes and/or diameters, the overall bandwidth of the valve will be reduced. Research has therefore been undertaken on a prototype valve design incorporating the Horbiger plate principle, which utilizes multiple metering edges to allow high flowrates to be obtained at low pressure drops and small poppet displacements. The valve is directly activated using a piezoelectric actuator to achieve a fast dynamic response. Valve performance is assessed using a mathematical model that includes the piezoelectric actuator and power amplifier, the supply flow, fluid squeeze forces, end stop response, and valve mechanical components. The steady state relationship between valve flow, force and pressure drop, and the fluid inertance, were determined using computational fluid dynamics software. The simulation model has been validated using test data obtained from experimental tests undertaken on a prototype valve. Good agreement is obtained between the predicted and measured results and it is shown that the valve is capable of opening or closing fully in less than 1.5 ms, and can pass a flow of 65l/min at a pressure drop of 20 bar.

Prediction of Fluid Inertance in Nonuniform Passageways

The dynamic response, stability, and noise characteristics of fluid components and systems can be strongly influenced by the inertance of the fluid in passageways, which are often of complex geometry. The inertance is a parameter that has often proved to be very difficult to accurately quantify, either theoretically or experimentally. This paper presents a method of numerical calculation of the inertance in a passageway, assuming inviscid, incompressible flow and zero mean flow. The method is simple to apply and can be applied to geometries of arbitrary complexity. Two simple but unorthodox ways of calculating inertance using a computational fluid dynamics and a finite element solid-modeling package are also demonstrated. Results are presented for a simple cylindrical orifice, a simple spool valve, and a conical poppet valve. The effect of the inertance on the response of a poppet valve is demonstrated.

Estimation of the Rotational Undamped Natural Frequency of Bileaflet Cardiac Valve Prostheses

The angular momentum balance is solved numerically for a size 29 mm CarboMedics prosthetic heart valve. The lift force is estimated from potential flow theory, while the drag force is estimated from the lift force and a blunt body empiricism. Buoyancy and gravitational effects are calculated based on the assumption of homogeneous leaflets. Other assumptions include uniform flow, negligible friction at the pivot axis, negligible viscous damping and fluid inertance, and a symmetry flow condition. Oscillations are predicted in the opening dynamics in the range of 2-25 Hz, for flow rates through one-half of the orifice in the range of 0.1-10.0 l/min. The frequency of these oscillations is dependent upon the orientation of the leaflet in relation to the gravitational field and the magnitude of the flow rate. In vivo and in vitro measurements by other investigators demonstrate similar effects of gravity and flow rate, with flutter frequencies of the order of 10-100 Hz. Excitation frequencies, based on vortex shedding, are estimated to be of the order 2-200 Hz, for the range of flow rates of the theoretical model. These results suggest that the natural frequency of this rotational second order system may, in theory, be a contributing factor to the flutter observed in bileaflet cardiac valve prostheses. The clinical significance of this finding is yet to be established.

Dynamic Behavior of a Hydraulically Actuated Mechanism. Part 1: Small Perturbations

This paper considers the dynamic behavior of a mechanism actuated by an oscillating hydraulic cylinder. The analysis is generalized by introducing nondimensional parameters. In this first portion of the paper, linearization is applied to explore the basic nature of the system transient response. A wide range of parameter values is considered to illustrate the effects of fluid capacitance, fluid inertance, load, leakage and friction on the system behavior and quantitative design guidelines are indicated. Part 2 of the paper deals with nonlinear aspects of the actuator-mechanism system.

A mechanism for stimulated acoustic emissions in the cochlea.

Stimulated acoustic emissions in the cochlea are explained in terms of its hydraulic properties. The mathematical model predicts that these 'echoes' are caused by reflections which result from a discontinuity in the resistive and reactive components of the impedance which occurs at resonance. This discontinuity is a direct result of the wavelength-dependent nature of the fluid inertance and occurs without the consideration of non-linearities. Calculations of the time delay of tone bursts to and from the places of reflection by determination of the group velocity agree with observations of the response latencies for the frequencies concerned.