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User’s Guide
Revision History
March 2006Online onlyNew for Version 1.0 (Release 2006a+)
September 2006 O nline onlyRevised for Version 1.1 (Release 2006b)
March 2007Online onlyRevised for Version 1.2 (Release 2007a)
September 2007 O nline onlyRevised for Version 1.2.1 (Release 2007b)
March 2008Online onlyRevised for Version 1.3 (Release 2008a)
October 2008Online onlyRevised for Version 1.4 (Release 2008b)
March 2009Online onlyRevised for Version 1.5 (Release 2009a)
September 2009 O nline onlyRevised for Version 1.6 (Release 2009b)
March 2010Online onlyRevised for Version 1.7 (Release 2010a)
Product Description
Assumptions and Limitations
The Physical Modeling Product Family
Getting Online Help
...............................1-2
.......................1-2
................1-3
...............................1-3
Contents
Related Products
Product Require ments
Other Related Products
Modeling Physical Networks with SimHydraulics
Blocks
Running Hydraulic Models
Troubleshooting Hydraulic Models
Using Simscape Editing Modes
..........................................1-6
..................................1-5
.............................1-5
............................1-5
.........................1-7
..................1-8
...................... 1-10
Modeling Hydraulic Systems
2
Introducing the SimHydraulics Block Libraries ......2-2
Library Structure Overview
Using the Simulink Library Browser to Access the Block
Libraries
Using the Command Prompt to Access the Block
Libraries
......................................2-2
......................................2-4
.........................2-2
v
Essential Steps to Building a Hydraulic Model .......2-5
Overview o f Modeling Rules
Working with Fluids
...............................2-6
.........................2-5
Creating a Simple Model
Building a SimHydraulics Diagram
Modifying Initial Settings
Running the Simulation
Adjusting the Parameters
Modeling Power Units
Modeling Directional Valves
Types of Directional Valves
4-Way Directional Valve Configurations
Building Blocks and How to Use Them
Example of Building a Custom Directional Valve
Modeling Low-Pressure Fluid Transp ortation
Systems
How Fluid Transportation Systems Differ from Power and
Control Systems
Available Blocks and How to Use Them
Example of a Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation
System
........................................ 2-45
........................................ 2-49
...........................2-8
...................2-8
........................... 2-16
............................ 2-20
........................... 2-22
............................. 2-27
........................ 2-31
......................... 2-31
............... 2-32
................ 2-37
........ 2-41
................................ 2-45
............... 2-47
viContents
Examples
A
Getting Started ....................................A-2
Modeling Directional Valves
Modeling Low-Pressure Fluid Transp ortation
Systems
........................................A-2
........................A-2
Index
vii
viiiContents
Getting Started
• “Product Overview” on page 1-2
• “Related Products” on page 1-5
• “Modeling Physical Networks with S imHydraulics Blocks” on page 1-6
• “Running Hydraulic Models” on page 1-7
• “Troubleshooting Hydraulic Models” on page 1-8
• “Using Simscape E diting Modes” on page 1-10
1
1 Getting Started
Product Overview
Product Description
SimHydraulics®software is a modeling environment for the engineering
design and simulation of hydraulic power and control systems within
Simulink
the Simscape™ modeling environment and contains a comprehensive library
of hydraulic blocks tha t extends the Simscape libraries of basic hydraulic,
electrical, and one-dimensional translational and rotational mechanical
elements and utility blocks.
In this section...
“Product Description” on page 1-2
“Assumptions and Limitations” on page 1-2
“The Physical Modeling Product Family” on page 1-3
“Getting Online Help” on page 1-3
®
and MATLAB®. It is based on the Physical Network approach of
1-2
Assumptions and Limitations
SimHydraulics software performs transient analysis of hydro-mechanical
systems. You may be able to use the higher-level library blocks, or you
may need to build your actuators out of the lower-level library blocks.
SimHydraulics software is specifically developed to cover modeling scenarios
with hydraulic actuators as part of a control system. It is also appropriate for
systems that allow consideration in lumped parameters.
SimHydraulics software does not have the capability to model the followin g
types of systems:
• Fluid transportation
• Water supply and sewer systems
• Distributed parameters systems
Product Overview
SimHydraulics software is based on the assumption that fluid temperature
remains constant during the simulated time interval, and this temperature
must be set as a parameter together with the relative amount of entrapped air.
ThePhysicalModelingProductFamily
SimHydraulics software is based on the Simscape platform product for the
Simulink Physical Modeling family, encompassing the modeling and design
of systems according to basic physical principles. Simscape software runs
within the Simulink e nvironment and interfaces seamlessly with the rest of
the Sim ulink and MATLAB product families. Unlike other Simulink blocks,
which represent mathematical operations or operate on signals, Simscape
blocks represent physical components or relationships directly.
Note This SimHydraulics User’s Guide assumes that you have some
experience with modeling hydraulic systems, as well as with building and
running models in the Simulink environment.
Getting Online Help
Using the MATLAB Help System for Documentation and Demos
TheMATLABHelpbrowserallowsyoutoaccessthedocumentationanddemo
models for all the MATLAB and Simulink based products that you have
installed. Consult “Overview of Help” in MATLAB documentation for more
information about the Help system.
For...
List of blocks“Block Reference”
Advanced tutorials
Product demonstrations
What’s new in this product
See...
Examples
SimHydraulics Demos
Release Notes
1-3
1 Getting Started
The MathWorks Online
Point your Internet brow ser to the MathWorks
Web site for additional information and support at
http://www.mathworks.com/products/simhydraulics/.
1-4
Related Products
In this section...
“Product Requirements” on page 1-5
“Other Related Products” on page 1-5
Product Requirements
SimHydraulics software is the extension of Simscape platform product,
expanding its capabilities to model and simulate hydraulic elements and
devices.
SimHydraulics software requires these products:
• MATLAB
• Simulink
• Simscape
Related Products
Other Related Products
The related products listed in the SimHydraulics product page a t the
MathWorks Web site include toolboxes and blocksets that extend the
capabilities of MATLAB and Simulink. These products will enhance your use
of SimHydraulics software in various applications.
For more information about The MathWorks™ software products, see either
• The online documentation for that product if it is installed
• The MathWorks Web site at
www.mathworks.com
1-5
1 Getting Started
Modeling Physical Networks with SimHydraulics Blocks
Simscape modeling environment provides the Physical Network approach for
modeling and solving systems under design as one-dimensional networks.
SimHydraulics software utilizes these basic modeling principles and contains
a library of specialized hydraulic blocks that seamlessly interact with basic
Simscape blocks.
SimHydraulics models are essentially Simscape block diagrams. When
building a S imHydraulics model, you use a combination of SimHydraulics
blocks with the blocks from the Simscape Foundation and Utilities libraries.
Each SimHydraulics diagram must have at least one Solver Configuration
block from the Simscape Utilities library. You can use basic hydraulic,
electrical, and one-dimensional translational and rotational mechanical
elements from the Simscape Foundation library and directly connect them to
SimHydraulics blocks. You can also use basic Simulink blocks, such as sources
and scopes, but you need to connect them through the Simulink-PS Converter
and P S-Simulink Converter blocks from the Simscape Utilities library. You
can also use these converter blocks to specify the desired input and output
signal units. For more information on specifying units in SimHydraulics
diagrams, see “Working with Physical Un its” in the Simscape documentation.
1-6
General rules that you must follow when building a hydraulic model are
described in “Basic Principles of Modeling Physical Networks” in the
Simscape documentation. Chapter 2, “Modeling Hydraulic Systems” in this
SimHydraulics User’s Guide briefly reviews these rules and provides specific
examples of modeling hydraulic systems and their components, such as power
units and directional valves.
Running Hydraulic Models
SimHydraulics software gives you multiple ways to simulate and analyze
hydraulic power and control systems in the Simulink environment. Running a
hydraulic simulation is similar to running a simulation of any other Simscape
model. See “Simulating Physical Models” in the Simscape documentation for
a discussion of the following topics:
• Explanation of how SimHydraulics software validates and simulates a
model
• Specifics of using Simulink linearization commands in SimHydraulics
models
• Generating code for SimHydraulics models
• Restrictions and limitations on using Simulink tools in SimHydraulics
models
All th ese aspects of simulating SimHydraulics models are exactly the same as
for Simscape models.
Running Hydraulic Models
1-7
1 Getting Started
Troubleshooting Hydraulic Models
SimHydraulics simulations can stop before completion with one or more error
messages. For a discussion of generic error types and error-fixing strategies,
see “Troublesho oting Simulation Errors” in the Simscape documentation. The
following troubleshooting techniquesarespecifictohydraulicmodels:
• Review the model configuration. If your error message contains a list of
blocks, look at these blocks first. Also look for:
- Wrong connections — Verify that the model makes sense as a hydraulic
system. For example, look for accumulators connected to the pump
outlet without check valves; cy linde rs connected against each other, so
that they try to move in opposite directions; directional valv es bypassed
by a huge orifice, and so on.
respective hydraulic units within certain limits. For example, an Ideal
Pressure Source block can simulate a pump only when the pressure
remains constant (see “Modeling Power Units” on page 2-27). Similarly,
the P ressu re Relief Valve block is a steady-state representation of a real
valve. A block may exhibit wrong behavior if it is placed in the wrong
environment. Always check the va lidity of the model for a particular
environment and the simulation objectives.
1-8
• Avoid portions of the system getting isolated from the main system.
An isolated or "hanging" part of the system could affect computational
efficiency and even cause failure of computation. Use the Leakage Area
parameter, introduced specifically for this purpose, to maintain numerical
integrity of the circuit. This parameter is pres ent in all the directional
valve blocks, pressure control and flow control valve blocks, and most of
the variable orifices.
• Avoid "dry" nodes in a hydraulic system. By adding a hydraulic chamber to
a node, you can considerably improve the convergence and computational
efficiency of a model. Mathematically, the hydraulic chamber works in
approximately the same way a s mechanical inertia does in mechanical
systems. The hydraulic chamber is represented by the Constant Volume
Hydraulic Chamber block in the Simscape Hydraulic Elements library.
The MathWorks recommends that you build, simu la te, and test your
model incrementally. Start with an idealized, simplified model of your
Troubleshooting Hydraulic Mod els
system, simulate it, verify that it works the way you expected. Then
incrementally make your model more realistic, factoring in effects such
as fluid compressibility, fluid inertia, and the other things that describe
real-world phenomena. Simulate and test your model at every incremental
step. Use subsystems to capture the model hierarchy, and simulate and test
your subsystems separately before testing the whole model configuratio n.
This approach helps you keep your models well organized and makes it easier
to troubleshoot them.
1-9
1 Getting Started
Using Simscape Editing Modes
The Simscape Editing Mode functionality lets you open, simulate, and save
models that contain blocks from add-on products, including SimHydraulics
blocks, in Restricted mode, without checking out add-on product licenses, as
long as the products are installed on your machine.
This functionality allows a user, model developer, to build a model that uses
Simscape and SimHydraulics blocks and share that model with other users,
model users. When building the model in Full mode, the model developer
must have both a Simscape license and a SimHydraulics license. Once the
model is built, model users need only to check out a Simscape license to
simulate the model and fine-tune its parameters in Restricted mode. As long
as no structural changes are made to the model, model users can work in
Restricted mode and do not need to check out SimHydraulics licenses.
Another workflow lets multiple users, who all have Simscape licenses, share
a small number of SimHydraulics licenses by working mostly in Res tricted
mode, and temporarily switching models to Full mode only when they need to
perform a specific design task that requires being in Full mode.
1-10
For a complete description of this functionality, see “Using the Simscape
Editing Mode” in the Simscape documentation.
ModelingHydraulic
Systems
• “Introducing the SimHydraulics Block Libraries” on page 2-2
• “Essential Steps to Building a Hydraulic Model” on page 2-5
“Using the Simulink Library Browser to Access the Block Libraries” on
page 2-2
“Using the Command Prompt to Access the Block Libraries” on page 2-4
Library Structure Overview
SimHydraulicssoftwareusestheSimscape library as its main library.
Simscape modeling environment provides the Physical Network approach for
modeling and solving systems under design as one-dimensional networks.
SimHydraulics software utilizes these basic modeling principles and contains
a library of specialized hydraulic blocks that seamlessly interact with basic
Simscape blocks. When modeling hydraulic power and control systems, you
use the following Simscape libraries:
2-2
• Foundatio n library — Contains basic hydraulic, mechanical, and physical
such as valves, cylinders, pipelines, pumps, and accumulators
• Utilities library — Contains essential environment blocks for creating
Physical Networks models
You can combine all these blocks in your SimHydraulics diagrams to model
hydraulic systems. You can also use the basic Simulink blocks in your
diagrams, s uch as sources or scopes. See“ConnectingSimscapeDiagramsto
Simulink Sources and Scopes” for more information on how to do this.
Using the Simulink Library Browser to Access the
Block Libraries
You can access the blocks through the Simulink Library Browser. To display
the Library Browser, click the Library Browser button in the toolbar of the
MATLAB desktop or Simulink model window:
Introducing the SimHydraulics®Block Libraries
Alternatively, you can type simulink in the MATLAB Command Window.
Then expand the Simscape entry in the contents tree.
For more information on using the Library Brow ser, see “Library Browser” in
the Simulink Graphical User Interface documentation.
2-3
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Using the Comman
Libraries
Another way to ac
using the comm a
• To open just th
Command Windo
• To open the Si
hydraulic s o
simscape in t
• To open the m
simulink in
The SimHyd
in the foll
sublibrar
more deta
“Block Re
owing illustration. Some of these libraries contain second-level
ies. You can expand each library by double-clicking its icon. For
ils on library hierarchy and descriptions of block categories, see
ference”.
cess the block libraries is to open them individually by
nd prompt:
e SimHydraulics library, type
w.
mscape library (to access the utility blocks, as w ell as
urces, sensors, and other Foundation library blocks), type
he MATLAB Command Window.
ain Simu link library (to access generic Simulink blocks), type
the MATLAB Command Window.
raulics library consists of eight top-level libraries, as shown
d Prompt to Access the Block
sh_lib in the MATLAB
2-4
Essential Steps to Building a Hydraulic Model
Essential Steps to Building a Hydraulic Model
In this section...
“Overview of Modeling Rules” on page 2-5
“Working with Fluids” on page 2-6
Overview of Modeling Rules
The rules that you must follow when building a hydraulic model are described
in “Basic Principles of Modeling Physical Network s ” in the Sims ca pe
documentation. This section briefly reviews these rules.
• SimHydraulics blocks, in general, feature C onserving ports
Signal inports and outports
• There are three types of Physical Conserving ports used in SimHydraulics
blocks: hydraulic, mechanical translational, and mechanical rotational.
Each type has specific Through and Across variables associated with it.
• You can connect Conserving ports only to other Conserving ports of the
same type.
• The Physical connection lines that connect Conserving ports together
are bidirectional lines that carry physical variables (Across and Through
variables, as described above) rather than signals. You cannot connect
Physical lines to Simulink ports or to Physical Signal ports.
• Two directly connected Conserving ports must have the same values for all
their A cross variables (such as pressure or angular velocity).
• You can branch Physical connection lines. When you do so, components
directly connected with one another continue to share the same Across
variables. Any Through variable (such as flow rate or torque) transferred
along the Physical connection line is divided among the multiple
components connected by the branches. How the Through variable is
divided is determined by the system dynamics.
For each Through variable, the sum of all its values flowing into a branch
point equals the sum of all its values flowing out.
.
and P h ysical
2-5
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
• You can connect Physical Signal ports to other Physical Signal ports with
• You can connect Physical Signal ports to Simulink ports through special
• Unlike Simulink signals, which are essentially unitless, Physical Signals
For examples of applying these rules w hen creating an actual hydraulic
model,see“CreatingaSimpleModel”onpage2-8.
The MathWorks recommends that you build, simulate, and test your model
incrementally. Start with an idealized, simplified model of your system,
simulate it, verify that it works the way you expected. Then incrementally
make your model more realistic, factoring in effects such as friction loss,
motor shaft compliance, hard stops , and the other things that describe
real-world phenomena. Simulate and test your model at every incremental
step. Use subsystems to capture the model hierarchy, and simulate and test
your subsystems separately before testing the whole model configuratio n.
This approach helps you keep your models well organized and makes it easier
to troubleshoot them.
regular connection lines, similar to Simulink signal connections. These
connection lines carry physical signals betw een SimHydraulics blocks.
converter blocks. Use the Simulink-PS Converter block to connect Simulink
outports to Physical Signal inports. Use the PS-Simulink C onverter block
to connect Physical Signal outports to Simulink inports.
can h ave units ass ociated with them. SimHydraulics block dialogs let you
specify the units along with the param eter values, where appropriate. Use
the converter blocks to associate units with an input signal and to specify
the desired output signal units.
2-6
Working with Fluids
A change in the working fluid of your SimHydraulics model affects the global
parameters of the system. Global parameters, determined by the type of
working fluid, are used in equations for most hydraulic blocks. For example,
valves, orifices, and pipelines use fluid density and fluid kinematic viscosity;
chambers and cylinders use fluid bulk modulus; and so on. When you change
the type of fluid, the appropriate changes to the global parameter values are
propagated to all the blocks in the hydraulic circuit.
Essential Steps to Building a Hydraulic Model
Each topologically distinct hydraulic circuit in a diagram requires exactly one
hydraulic fluid to be associated with it. You can specify the fluid by connecting
a Hydraulic Fluid block or Custom Hydraulic Fluid block to the circuit.
• The Custom Hydraulic Flu i d block, available i n the Simscape Foundation
library, lets you directly specify the fluid properties, such as fluid density,
kinematic viscosity, bulk modulus, and the amount of entrapped air, in
the block dialog.
• The Hydraulic Fluid block lets you select a type of fluid from a predefined
list and specify the amount of entrapped air and fluid temperature.
SimHydraulics software determines the fluid properties associated with
this type of fluid and these conditions, and displays them in the block dialog.
In both cases, SimHydraulics software then applies the fluid properties as
global parameters to all the blocks in the hydraulic circuit.
Note If no Hydraulic Fluid block or Custom Hydraulic Fluid block is attached
to a circuit, the hydraulic blocks in this circuit use the default fluid, which
is Skydrol LD-4 at 60°C and with a 0.005 ratio of entrapped air. See the
Hydraulic Fluid block reference page for more information.
2-7
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Creating a Simple Model
In this section...
“Building a SimHydraulics Diagram” on page 2-8
“Modifying Initial Settings” on page 2-16
“Running the Simulation” on page 2-20
“Adjusting the Parameters” on page 2-22
Building a SimHydraulics Diagram
In this example, you are going to model a simple hydraulic system and observe
its behavior under various conditions. This tutorial illustrate s the essential
steps to building a hydraulic model, described in the previous section, and
makes you familiar with using the basic SimHydraulics blocks.
The following schematic represents the model you are about to build.
It contains a single-acting hydraulic cylinder, which is controlled by an
electrically operated 3-way directional valve. The cylinder drives a load
consisting of a mass, viscous friction, and preloaded spring.
2-8
Creating a Simple Model
The power unit consists of a motor, a positive-displacement pump, and a
pressure relief valve. Depending on its characteristics, such a power unit can
be modeled in a variety of ways, as described in “Modeling Power Units” on
page 2-27. In this example, the pump unit is assumed to be powerful enough
to maintain constant pressure at the valve inlet. Therefore, we are going to
representitinthediagrambyaHydraulic Pressure Source block.
To create an equivalent SimHydraulics diagram, follow these steps:
1 Open the Simscape and Simulink block libraries, as described in
“Introducing the SimHydraulics Block Libraries” on page 2-2.
2 Create a new m odel. To do this, click the New button on the Library
Browser’s toolbar or choose New from the library window’s File menu
and select Model. The software creates an empty model in memory and
displays it in a new model editor window.
Note Alternately, you can type ssc_new at the MATLAB Command
prompt, to create a new model prepopulated with certain required and
commonly-used blocks. For more information, see “Creating a New
Simscape Model”.
3 Open the Simscape > Foundation Library > Hydraulic > Hydraulic Sources
library and drag the Hydraulic Pressure Source block into the model
window.
4 OpentheSimscape>SimHydraulics>Hydraulic Cylinders library and
place the Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinder block into the model window.
5 To model the valve, open the Simscape > SimHydraulics > Valves library.
Place the 3-Way Directional Valve block, found in the Directional Valves
sublibrary, a nd the 2-Position Valve Actuator block, found in the Valve
Actuators sublibrary, into the model window.
2-9
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
6 Connect the blocks as shown in the following illustration.
2-10
Creating a Simple Model
7 Ports T of the Hydraulic Pressure Source and 3-Way Directional Valve
blocks have to be connected to the tank, at atmospheric pressure. To model
this connection, open the Simscape > Foundation Library > Hydraulic >
Hydraulic Elements library and add the Hydraulic Reference block to your
diagram, as shown below. To do this, connect the only port of the Hydraulic
Reference block to port T of the Hydraulic Pressure Source block, then
right-click this connection line to create a branching point, and connect this
point to port T of the 3-Way Directional Valve block.
2-11
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
8 Model the mechanical load for the cylinder. Open the Simscape >
Foundation Library > Mechanical > Translational Elements library and
add the Mass, Translational Spring, Translational Damper, and three
Mechanical Translational Reference blocks to your diagram.
To indicate that the cylinder case is fixed, connect port C of the
Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinder block to one of the Mechanical
Translational Reference blocks. To rotate the Mechanical Translational
Reference block, select it and press Ctrl+R. You can also shorten the block
nametoMTRtomakethediagrameasiertoread.
Connect the other blocks to port R of the Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinder
block, as shown below .
2-12
Creating a Simple Model
9 Now you need to add the sources and scopes. They are found in the regular
Simulink libraries. Open the Simulink > Sources library and copy the
Constant block and the Sine Wave block into the model. Then open the
Simulink > Sinks library and copy two Scope blocks. Rename one of the
Scope blocks to
Valve. It will monitor the valve opening based on the input
signal variation. The other Scope block will monitor the position of the
cylinder rod; rename it to
Position.
2-13
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
10 Double-click the Valve scopetoopenit. Inthescopewindow,clickto
11 Every time you connect a Simulink source or scope to a SimHydraulics
access the scope parameters, change Number of axes to
The scope window now displays two sets of axes, and the
the diagram has two input ports.
diagram, you have to use an appropriate converter block, to conve rt
Simulink signals into physical signals and vice versa. Open the Simscape
> Utilities library and copy two Simulink-PS Converter blocks and two
PS-Simulink Converter blocks into the model. Connect the blocks as shown
below.
2,andclickOK.
Valve scope in
2-14
Creating a Simple Model
12 To specify the fluid propertie s, add the Hydraulic Fluid block, found in the
Simscape > SimHydraulics > Hydraulic Utilities library, to your diagram.
You can add this block anywhere on the hydraulic circuit by creating a
branching point and connecting it to the only port of the Hydraulic Fluid
block.
13 Each topologically distinct physical network in a diagram requires exactly
one Solver Configuration block, found in the Simscape > Utilities library.
Copy this block into your model and connect it to the circuit, similar to the
Hydraulic Fluid block. Your diagram now should look like this.
14 Your block diagram is now complete. Save it as simple_hydro1. mdl.
2-15
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Modifying Initial Settings
After you have put together a block diagram of your model, as described in the
previous sectio n, you nee d to select a solver and provide the correct values for
block parameters. All the blocks have default parameter values that allow
them to run “out of the box,” but you may need to change some of them to suit
your particular application.
To prepare for simulating the model, follow these steps:
1 Select a Simulink solver. On the top menu bar of the model window,
select Simulation > Configuration Parameters. The Configuration
Parameters dialog box o pens, showing the Solver node.
Under Solver options,setSolver tosize to
Also note that Simulation time is specified to be between 0 and 10
seconds. You can adjust this setting later, if needed.
0.2.
ode15s (Stiff/NDF) and Max step
2-16
Creating a Simple Model
Click OK to close the Configuration Parameters dialog box.
2 Select a fluid. Double-click the Hydraulic Fluid block. In the Block
Parameters dialog box, set Hydraulic Fluid to
Skydrol 5 and set the
other block parameters as shown below.
2-17
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
2-18
Click OK to close the Block Parameters dialog box.
3 Specify the units for the pressure input signal. Simulink signals are
unitless. When you conv ert them to physical signals, you can supply units
by using the converter blocks. Double-click the Simulink-PS Converter1
block, enter
Pa in the Input signal unit combo box, and click OK.When
the physical modeling software parses the model, it matches the input
signal units with the block input ports and provides error messages if there
is a discrepancy. For more information, see “Model Validation”.
4 Specify a realistic value for the pressure input signal. Double-click the
Constant block, enter
5 Open the 2-Position Valve Actuator block and note that its Nominal
Signal Value parameter is set to
10e5 in the Constant value text box, and click OK.
24.
Creating a Simple Model
6 Double-clicktheSineWaveblockandchangeitsAmplitude to a value
greater than 50% of the nominal signal value for the 2-Position Valve
Actuator block, for example, to
7 Adjust the 3-Way Directional Valve block parameters as shown below.
20.
8 Adjust the Single-Acting Hydraulic Cylinder block parameters as shown
below.
2-19
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
2-20
9 Double-click the Mass block and change its Mass to 4.5 kg.
10 Doubl
11 Double-click the Translational Spring block. Set its Spring rate to 6e3
12 Save the model.
e-click the Translational Damper block, which models the viscous
ion, and change its Damping coefficient to
frict
and Initial deformation to 0.02 m.
N/m
250 N/(m/s).
Running the Simulation
After you’ve put together a block diagram and specified the initial settings for
your model, you can run the simulation.
Creating a Simple Model
1 The input signal for the valve opening isprovidedbytheSineWaveblock.
The Valve scope reflects both the in put signal and the valve opening as
functions of time. The Position scope outputs the cylinder rod displacement
as a function of time. Double-click both scopes to open them.
2 To run the simulation, clickin the model window toolbar. The physical
modeling solver evaluates the model, calculates the initial conditions,
and runs the simulation. For a detailed description of this process, see
“How Simscape Simulation Works”. Completion of this step may take a
few seconds. The message in the bottom-left corner of the model window
provides the status update.
3 Once the simulation starts running, the Valve and Position scope windows
display the simulation results, as showninthenextillustration.
2-21
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
In the beginning, the valve is closed. Then, as the input signal reaches 50%
of the actuator’s nominal signal, the valve gradually opens t o its maximum
value and moves the cylinder rod in the positive direction. W hen the input
signal goes below 50% of the nominal signal, the actuator closes the valve.
The spring returns the cylinder rod to its initial position.
2-22
You can now adjust various inputs and block parameters and see their effect
on the valve opening profile and the cylinder rod displacement.
Adjusting the Parameters
After running the initial simulation, you can experiment with adjusting
various inputs and block parameters.
Try the following adjustments:
1 Change the input signal for valve opening.
2 Change the cylinder load parameters.
3 Change the rod position output units.
Creating a Simple Model
Changing the Valve Input Signal
This example shows how a change in the input signal affects the opening of
the valve, and therefore the cylinder rod displacement.
1 Double-clicktheSineWaveblock,enter40 in the Amplitude text box,
and click OK.
2 Run the simulation. The simulation results are shown in the following
illustration. With the increase in the input signal a m plitude, it reach es
50% of the actuator’s nominal signal sooner, and the valve stays open
longer, which in turn affects the cylinder rod position.
2-23
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Changing the Cylinder Load Parameters
In our model, the cylinder drives a load consisting of a mass, viscous friction,
and preloaded spring. This example shows how a change in the spring
stiffness affects the cylinder rod displacement.
2-24
1 Double-click the Translational Spring block. Set its Spring rate to 12e3
.
N/m
2 Run the simulation. The va lve opening profile is not affected, but
increase in spring stiffn e ss results in smaller amplitude of cylinder rod
displacement, as shown in the following illustration.
Creating a Simple Model
Changing the Rod Position Output Units
In our model, we have used the PS-Simulink Converter block in its default
parameter configuration, which does not specify units. Therefore, the
Position scope outputs the cylinder rod displacement in the units specified
fortheparametersoftheSingle-ActingHydraulicCylinderblock;inthis
case, in meters. This example shows how to change the output units for the
cylinder rod displacement to millimeters.
1 Double-click the PS-Simulink Converter block. Type mm in the Output
signal unit text box and click OK.
2 Run th
the sc
as sho
e simulation. In the
ope axes. The cylinder rod displacement is now output in millimeters,
wn in the following illustration.
Position scope window, clickto autoscale
2-25
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
2-26
Modeling Power Units
The power unit is perhaps the most prevalent unit in hydraulic systems.
Its main function is to supply the required amount of fluid under specified
pressure. There is a wide variety of power unit designs varying by the amount
and type of pumps, prime movers, valves, tanks, etc. The set of blocks
available in th e SimHydraulics libraries allows you to simulate practically
any of these configurations. This section considers basic approaches in
simulating power units and examples of typical schematics.
A typical power unit of a hydraulic system,asshowninthefollowing
illustration, consists of a fixed-displacement or variable-displacement pump,
reservoir, pressure-relief valve, and a prime mover that drives the hydraulic
pump.
Modeling Power Units
al Hydraulic Power Unit
Typ i c
eloping a model of a power unit, you must reach a compromise between
In dev
obustness, speed of simulation, and accuracy, meaning that the model
the r
ld be as simple as possible to provide acceptable accuracy within the
shou
ing range of variable parameters.
work
first option is to simulate a power unit literally, as it is, reproducing
The
its components. This approach is illustrated in the Power Unit with
all
ed-Displacement Pump demo (
Fix
er unit consists of a fixed-displacementpump,whichisdrivenbyamotor
pow
rough a compliant transmission, a pressure-relief valve, and a variable
th
sh_power_unit_fxd_dspl_pump). The
2-27
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
orifice, which simulates system fluid consumption. The motor model is
represented as a source of angular velocity rotating shaft at 188 rad/s at zero
torque. The load on the shaft decreases the velocity with a slip coefficient of
1.2 (rad/s)/Nm. The load on the driving shaft is mea su r ed with the torque
sensor. The shaft between the motor and the pump is assum ed to be compliant
and simulated with rotational spring and damper.
The simulation starts with the variable orifice opened, which results in a low
system pressure and the maximum flow rate going to the system. The orifice
starts closing at 0.5 s, and is closed completely at 3 s. The output pressure
builds up until it reaches the pressure setting of the relief valve (75e5 Pa) and
is maintained at this level by the valve. At 3 s, the variable orifice starts
opening, thus returning system to its initial state.
You can implement a considerably more complex model of a prime mover
by following the pattern used in the dem o. For instance, the shaft can be
represented with multiple segments and intermediate bearings. The model of
a prim e mover can be more comprehensive, accounting for its type (DC or AC
electric motor, diesel or gasoline engine), characteristics, control type, and
so on. In addition, a complex mechanical transmission driven by a diesel or
gasoline internal combustion engine modeled using SimDriveline™ software
canbecombinedwiththeSimHydraulics model of the hydraulic portion of a
power unit.
2-28
Depending on your par ticular application, you may be able to simplify the
model of a power unit practically without a loss in accuracy. The main
factors to be considered in this process are the driving shaft angular velocity
variation magnitude and the system pressure variation range. If the prime
mover angular velocity remains practically constant during simulated time or
varies insignificantly with respect to its steady-state value, the entire driving
shaft subsystem can be replaced with the Ideal Angular Velocity Source block,
whose output is set to the steady-state value, as it is shown in the following
illustration.
Modeling Power Units
Using the Ideal Angular Velocity Source Block in Modeling Power Units
Furthermore, if pump delivery exceeds the system’s fluid requirements at all
times, the pump output pressure remains practically constant and close to
the pressure setting of the pressure-relief valve. If this assumption is true
and acceptable, the entire power unit can be reduced to an ideal Hydraulic
Pressure Source block, as shown in the next illustration.
2-29
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Using the Hydraulic Pressure Source Block in Modeling Power Units
The two previous examples demonstrate that the use of ideal sources is a
powerful means of reducing the complexity of models. However, you should
exercise extreme caution every time you use an ideal source instead of a real
pump. The substitution is possible only if there is an assurance that the
controlled parameter (angular velocity in the first example, and pressure
in the second example) remains constant. If this is not the case, the power
unit represented with an ideal source will generate considerably more power
than its simulated physical counterpart, thus making the simulation results
incorrect.
2-30
Modeling Directional Valves
In this section...
“Types of Directional Valves” on page 2-31
“4-Way Directional Valve Configurations” on page 2-32
“Building Blocks and How to Use Them” on page 2-37
“Example of Building a Custom Directional Valve” on page 2-41
TypesofDirectionalValves
The main function of directional valves in hydraulic systems is to direct and
distribute flow between consumers. As far as the valve modeling is concerned,
the valves are classified by the following main characteristics:
• Number of external paths (connecting ports) — One-way, two-way,
three-way, four-way, multiple-way
Modeling Directional Valves
• Number of positions a control member of the valve can assume —
Two-position, three-position, multiple-position, continuous (can assume
any position within working range)
• Control member type — Spool, pop p e t, sliding flat spool, and so on
As an example, the following illustration shows a portion of a hydraulic
system with a 4-way, 3-position directional valve controlling a double-acting
cylinder, next to its schematic diagram.
2-31
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Throughout SimHydraulics libraries, hydraulic ports are identified with the
following symbols:
• P — Pressure port
• T — Return (tank) port
2-32
• A, B — Actuator ports
• X, Y — Pilot or control ports
4-Way Directional Valve Configurations
4-way directional valves are available in multiple configurations, depending
on the port connections in three distinctive valve positions: leftmost, neutral,
and rightmost. Each configuration is characterized by the number of variable
orifices, the way the orifices are connected, and initial openings of the orifices.
Ten 4-way directional valve blocks in SimHydraulics libraries represent
twenty most typical valve configurations. Configurations that differ only by
the v alues of initial openings are covered by the same model.
The basic 4-Way Directional Valve block lets you m odel eleven most popular
configurations by changing the initial openings of the orifices, as shown in the
following table.
Basic 4-Way Directional Valve Configurations
Modeling Directional Valves
No
1
2
3
Configuration
Initial Openings
All four orifices are overlapped in neutral position:
• Orifice P-A initial opening <0
• Orifice P-B initial open ing <0
• Orifice A-T initial opening <0
• Orifice B-T initial opening <0
All four orifices are open (underlapped) in neutral position:
• Orifice P-A initial opening >0
• Orifice P-B initial open ing >0
• Orifice A-T initial opening >0
• Orifice B-T initial opening >0
Orifices P-A and P-B are overlapped. Orifices A-T and B-T
are o verlapped for more than valve stroke:
• Orifice P-A initial opening <0
• Orifice P-B initial open ing <0
• Orifice A-T initial opening <–
valve_stroke
• Orifice B-T initial opening <–valve_stroke
4
Orifices P-A and P-B are overlapped, while orifices A-T and
Orifice P-A is initially open, while all three remaining
orifices are overlapped:
• Orifice P-A initial opening >0
• Orifice P-B initial open ing <0
• Orifice A-T initial opening <0
• Orifice B-T initial opening <0
Orifice P-B is initially open, while all three remaining
orifices are overlapped:
• Orifice P-A initial opening <0
• Orifice P-B initial open ing >0
• Orifice A-T initial opening <0
• Orifice B-T initial opening <0
Orifices P-B and B-T are open, while orifices P-A an d A-T
are overlapped:
• Orifice P-A initial opening <0
• Orifice P-B initial open ing >0
• Orifice A-T initial opening <0
• Orifice B-T initial opening >0
The other nine configurations are covered by the remaining 4-way directional
valve blocks (A through K), as shown in the next table.
2-35
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
Other 4-Way Directional Valve Blocks
Block Name
4-Way Directional Valve AContains two additional
4-Way Directional Valve B
4-Way Directional Valve C
4-Way Directional Valve D
4-Way Directional Valve E
Configuration
Description
normally-open,
sequentially-located orifices.
Valve displacement to the left
or to the right closes the path
to tank.
Ports P and A are
permanently connected
through fixed orifice. Orifices
P-B an d B-T are initially open
(underlapped).
Ports P and B are
permanently connected
through fixed orifice. Orifices
P-A, A-T and B-T are initially
open (underlapped).
Two orifices are installed in
the P-A link. Port A never
connects to port T.
Two orifices are installed in
the P-B link. Port B never
connects to port T.
4-Way Directional Valve F
2-36
Two parallel orifices in the
P-A arm and two series
orifices in the A-T arm.
Other 4-Way Directional Valve Blocks (Continued)
Modeling Directional Valves
Block Name
4-Way Directional Valve GTwo parallel orifices in the
4-Way Directional Valve H
4-Way Directional Valve K
Configuration
Description
P-B arm and two series
orifices in the B-T arm.
Two parallel orifices in the
P-B arm and two series
orifices in the P-T arm.
Two parallel orifices in the
P-A arm and two series
orifices in the P-T arm.
Building Blocks and How to Use Them
The Directional V alves library offers several pre built directional valve models.
As indicated in their descriptions, all of them are symmetrical, continuous
valves. In other words, the control member in 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, and
6-way valves can assume any position, controlled by the physical signal port
S. The valves are symmetrical in that all the orifices the valve is built of
are of the same type and size. The only possible difference between orifices
is the orifice initial opening.
These configurations cover a substantial portion of real valves, but the
directional valves family is so diverse as to make it practically impossible to
have a library model for every member. Instead, Sim Hydraulics libraries offer
a set of building blocks that is comprehensive enough to build a model for
any real configuration. This section describes the rules of building a custom
model of a directional valve.
All directional valve models are built of variable orifices. In SimHydraulics
libraries, the following variable orifice models are available:
2-37
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
• Annular Orifice
• Orifice with Variable Area Round Holes
• Orifice with Variable Area Slot
• Variable Orifice
• Ball Valve
• Ball Valve with Conical Seat
• Needle Valve
• Poppet Valve
To simplify the way variable orifices are combined in a model, their
instantaneous opening is computed in the same way for all types of orifices.
The orifice opening is always computed in the direction the spool, or any
other control member, opens the orifice. In other words, positive value of the
opening co rresponds to open orifice, while negative value denotes overlapped,
or closed, orifice. The origin always corresponds to zero-lap position, when
the e dge of the control member coincides with the edge of the orifice. In the
illustration below, origins are marked with
area ro und holes (schematic on the left) and for the orifice with variable slot
(schematic on the right). The
opening is measured in both cases.
0 for the orifice with variable
x arrow denotes the direction in which orifice
2-38
Modeling Directional Valves
The instantaneous value of the orifice opening is determined as
hx x or
=+0i
sp
where
h
x
0
Instantaneous orifice opening.
Initial opening. The initial opening value is positive for initially
open (underlapped) orifices and negative for overlapped orifices.
x
sp
Spool (or other control member) displacement from initial position,
which controls the orifice.
or
Orifice orientation indicator. The variable assumes +1 value if
a spool displacement in the globally assigned positive direction
opens the orifice, and -1 if positive motion decreases the opening.
The number of variable orifices and the way they are connected are
determined by the valve design. Usually, the model of a valve mimics the
physical layout of a real valve. The illustration below shows an example of a
4-way valve, its symbol, an d an equ iv a len t circuit of its SimHydraulics model.
2-39
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
The 4-way valve in its simplest form is built of four variable orifices. In the
equivalent circuit, they are named
Orifice block, which is the most generic model of a variable orifice in the
SimHydraulics libraries, is used in this particular example. You can use any
other variable orifice blocks if the real valve design employs a configuration
backed by a stock model, such as an orifice with round holes or rectangular
slots, poppet, ball, or needle. In general, all orifices in the model can be
simulated with different blocks or with the sam e block, but with different
way of parameterization. For instance, two orifices can be represented by
their pressure-flow characteristics, while two others can be simulated with
the table-specified area variation option (for details, see the Variable Orifice
block reference page).
P_A, P_B, A_T,andB_T. The Variable
2-40
The next example shows a no the r configuration of a 4-way directional valve.
This valve unloads the pump in neutral position and requires six variable
orifice blocks. The Orifice with Variable Area Round Holes blocks h ave
been used as a variable orifice in this model. Port T1 corresponds to an
intermediate point between ports P and T.
Modeling Directional Valves
Example of Building a Custom Directional Valve
Finally, let us consider a more complex directional valve example. The figure
below shows basic elements of a front loader hydraulic system. Both the
lift and the tilt cylinders are controlled by custom 3-position, 5-way valves,
developed for this particular application. The valves are designed in such a
2-41
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
way that the pump delivery is diverted to tank (unloaded) if both cylinders
are commanded to be in neutral position. The pump is disconnected from the
tank if either of the two control valves is shifted from neutral position.
2-42
To develop a model, the physical version of the valve must be created first.
The following illustration shows one of the possible configurations of the valve.
Modeling Directional Valves
The SimHyd
configur
ation.
raulics model, shown below, is an exact copy of the physical valve
2-43
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
2-44
All the orifices in the model are closed (overlapped) in valve neutral position,
except orifices
extent that allows pump delivery to be discharged at low pressure.
P_T1_1 and P_T1_2. These two orifices should be set open to an
Modeling Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation Systems
Modeling Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation Systems
In this section...
“How Fluid Transportation Systems Differ from Power and Control
Systems” on page 2-45
“Available Blocks and How to Use Them ” on page 2-47
“Example of a Low-P ressure Fluid Transportation System” on page 2-49
How Fluid Transportation Systems Differ from Power
and Control Systems
In hydraulics, the steady uniform flow in a component with one entrance and
one exit is characterized by the following energy equation
W
VVgpp
s
−=
mg
2
−
221
+
2ρ
−
21
+−+
g
zzh
21
L
(2-1)
where
eperformedbyfluid
ow rate
velocity at the exit
V
V
p
g
ρ
z
W
m
s
2
1
, p
1
Work rat
Mass fl
Fluid
Fluid velocity at the entrance
Static pressure at the entrance and the exit, respectively
2
Gravity acceleration
Fluid density
, z
1
Elevation above a reference plane (datum) at the entrance and
2
the exit, respectively
h
L
ydraulic loss
H
Subscripts 1 and 2 refer to the entrance and exit, respectively. All the terms
in Equation 2-1 have dimensions of height and are named kinematic head,
2-45
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
piezometric head, geometric head, and loss head, respectively. For a variety of
reasons, analysis of hydraulic pow er and control systems is performed with
respect to pressures, rather than to heads, and Equation 2-1 for a typical
passive component is presented in the form
ρ
Vp gz Vp gzp
1211 2222
22
ρ
++ =++ +
ρ
ρ
L
(2-2)
where
V
, p1,
1
z
1
, p2,
V
2
z
2
p
L
Term
ρgz
Velocity, static pressure, and elevation at the entrance, respectively
Velocity, static pressure, and elevation at the ex it, respectively
Pressure loss
ρ
2
V
is frequently referred to as kinematic, or dynamic, pressure, and
2
as piezometric pressure. Dynamic pressure terms are usually neglected
because they are very small, and Equation 2-2 takes the form
pgzp gzp
+=++ρρ
L1122
(2-3)
The size of a typical pow er and control system is usually small and rarely
exceeds 1.5 – 2 m. To add to this, these systems operate at pressures in the
range 50 – 300 bar. Therefore,
ρgz
terms are negligibly small compared to
static pressures. As a result, SimHydraulics components (with the exception
of the ones designed specifically for low-pressure simulation, described in
“Available B locks and How to Use Them ” on page 2-47) have been developed
with respect to static pressures, with the following equations
2-46
pp fq
===()
L
qfpp
(, )
where
12
(2-4)
Modeling Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation Systems
p
q
Pressure difference between component ports
Flow rate through the component
Fluid transportation systems usually operate at low pressures (about 2 -4 bar),
and the difference in component elevation with respect to reference plane can
be very large. Therefore, geometrical head becomes an essential part of the
energy balance and m ust be accounted for. In other words, the low-pressure
fluid transportation systems must be simulated with respect to piezometric
ppgz
pressures
=+ρ
pz
, rather than static pressures. This requirement is
reflected in the component equations
pp fqzz
===(, , )
L
qfppzz
(, ,,)
1212
12
(2-5)
Equations in the form Equation 2-5 must be applied to describe a hydraulic
component with significant difference between port elevations. In hydraulic
systems, there is only one type of such components: hydraulic pipes. The
models of pipes intended to be used in low pressure systems must account
for difference in elevation of their ports. The dimensions of the rest of the
components are too small to contribute n oticeablytoenergybalance,andtheir
models can be built with the constant ele vation assumption, like all the other
SimHydraulics blocks. To sum it up:
• You can build models of low-pressure systems with difference in elev ations
of their components using regular SimHydraulics blocks, with the exception
of the pipes. Use low-pressure pipes, described in “Available Blocks and
HowtoUseThem”onpage2-47.
• When modeling low-pressure systems, you must use low-pressure pipe
blocks to connect all nodes with difference in elevation, because these are
the only blocks that provide information about the vertical locations of
the system parts. Nodes connected with any other blocks, such as valves,
orifices,actuators,andsoon,willbetreatedasiftheyhavethesame
elevation.
Available Blocks and How to Use Them
When modeling low-pressure hydraulic systems, use the pipe blocks from the
Low-Pressure Blocks library instead of the regular pipe blocks. These blocks
2-47
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
account for the port elevation above reference plane and differ in the extent of
idealization, just like their high-pressure counterparts:
• Resistive Pipe LP — Models hydraulic pip e with circular and noncircular
• Resistive Pipe LP with Variable Elevation — Models hydraulic pipe with
• Hydraulic Pipe LP — Models hydraulic pipe with circular and noncircular
• Hydraulic Pipe LP with Variable Elevation — Models hydraulic pipe with
cross sections and accounts for friction loss only, similar to the Resistive
Tube block, available in the Simscape Foundation library.
circular and noncircular cross sections and accounts for friction losses and
variable port elevations. Use this block for low-pressure system simulation
in wh ich the pipe ends change their positions with respect to the reference
plane.
cross sections and accounts for friction loss along the pipe length and
for fluid compressibility, similar to the Hydraulic Pipeline block in the
Pipelines library.
circular and noncircular cross sections and accounts for friction loss along
the pipe length and for flui d compressibility, as well as variable port
elevations. Use this block for low-pressure system simulation in which the
pipe ends change their positions with respect to the reference plane.
for friction loss, fluid compressibility, and fluid inertia, similar to the
Segmented Pipe block in the Pipelines library.
Use these low-pressure pipe blocks to connect all hydraulic nodes in your
model with difference in elevation, because these are the only blocks that
provide informatio n about the vertical location of the ports. Nodes connected
with any other blocks, such as valves, orifices, actuators, and so on, will b e
treated as if they have the same elevation.
The additional models of pressurized tanks available for low-pressure system
simulation include:
• Constant Head Tank — Represents a pressurized hydraulic reservoir,
in which fluid is stored under a specified pressure. The size of the tank
is assumed to be large enough to neglect the pressurization and fluid
level change due to fluid volume. The block accounts for the fluid level
elevation with respect to the tank bottom, as well as for pressure loss in
Modeling Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation Systems
the connecting pipe that can be caused by a filter, fittings, or some other
local resistance. The loss is specified with the pressure loss coefficient.
Theblockcomputesthevolumeoffluidinthetankandexportsitoutside
through the physical signal port V.
• Variable Head Tank — Represents a pressurized hydra ulic reservoir,
in which fluid is stored under a specified pressure. The pressurization
remains constant regardless of volume change. The block accounts for the
fluid lev el change caused by the volume variation, a s well as for pressure
loss in the connecting pipe that can be caused by a filter, fittings, or
some other local resistance. The loss is specifie d with the pressure loss
coefficient. The block computes the volume of fluid in the tank and exports
it outside through the physical signal port V.
• Variable Head Two-Arm Tank — Represents a two-arm pressurized tank,
in which fluid is stored under a specified pressure. The pressurization
remains constant regardless of volume change. The block accounts for the
fluid lev el change caused by the volume variation, a s well as for pressure
loss in the connecting pipes that can be caused by a filter, fittings, or some
other local re sis tance. The loss is specified with the pressure loss coefficient
at each outlet. The block computes the volume of fluid in the tank and
exports it outside through the physical signal port V.
• Variable Head Three-Arm Tank — Represents a three-arm pressurized
tank, in which fluid is stored under a specified pressure. The pressurization
remains constant regardless of volume change. The block accounts for the
fluid lev el change caused by the volume variation, a s well as for pressure
loss in the connecting pipes that can be caused by a filter, fittings, or some
other local re sis tance. The loss is specified with the pressure loss coefficient
at each outlet. The block computes the volume of fluid in the tank and
exports it outside through the physical signal port V.
Example of a Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation
System
The following illustration shows a simple system consisting of three tanks
whose bottom surfaces are located at heights H1, H2, and H3, respectively,
from the reference plane. The tanks are connected by pipes to a hydraulic
manifold, which may contain any hydraulic elements, such as valves, orifices,
pumps, accumulators, other pipes, and so on, but these elements have one
feature in common – their elevations are all the same and equal to H4.
2-49
2 Modeling Hydraulic Systems
2-50
The models of tanks account for the fluid level heights F1, F2, and F3,
respectively, and represent pressure at their bottoms as
pgF i
==ρfor 1 2 3,,
ii
The components inside the manifold can be simulated with regular
SimHydraulics blocks, like you would use for hydraulic power and control
systems simulation. The pipes must be simulates with one of the low-pressure
pipe models: Resistive Pipe LP, Hydraulic Pipe LP, or Segmented Pipe LP,
depending on the required extent of idealization. Use the Constant Head
Tank or Variable Head Tank blocks to simulate the tanks. For details of
implementation, see the Water Supply System (
and the Fluid Transportation System with Three Tanks (
demos.
sh_water_supply_system)
sh_three_tanks)
Examples
Use this list to find examples in the documentation.
A
A Examples
Getting Started
“Creating a Simp
le Model” on page 2-8
Modeling Directional Valves
“Example of Building a Custom Directional Valve” on page 2-41
Modeling Lo
w-Pressure Fluid Transportation Systems
“Example of a Low-Pressure Fluid Transportation System” on page 2-49
A-2
Index
IndexH
hydraulic fluids
specifying properties 2-6
S
SimHydraulics® software
about 1-2
block library structure 2-2
simulating models 1-7
Index-1
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