Model-Based Valve Design: Potential of CFD Simulations as a Database for Prediction Models

Abstract

Conventional valve development includes measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations.Both are used in an iterative process to achieve the desired characteristic curve.To accelerate the valve development process considerably, data-based expert systems should be introduced.These models are trained with CFD simulation data of numerous geometries.Usually, CFD simulation parameters are tuned for one specific geometry.This paper presents CFD simulation parameters applicable for a wide range of 2/2 directional poppet valve geometries.The parameters are validated with measurement data from both normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) valves.Based on previous research, the theoretical background in CFD simulation and preliminary studies, the simulation parameters used in this study are carefully selected.For the validation, 164 points are generated from continuous measurements of nine industrial poppet valves.The comparison between the simulations and measurements show a very high accuracy in the prediction of the pressure difference with a mean deviation of 7.9 %.The accuracy in the simulation of flow forces is lower but the trends in the simulations are correct and high flow forces can be predicted accurately.The results prove that it is possible to use one set of CFD simulation parameters for different geometries.This makes CFD simulations suitable as a database for prediction models.

Authors 3

1. Timo Rothhardt Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University -Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems (ifas

2. Jakob Wirtz Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University -Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems (ifas

3. Prof. Katharina Schmitz Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University -Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems (ifas