A Modeling and Simulation Method for Preliminary Design of an Electro-Variable Displacement Pump

Area of Science:

• Mechatronics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Control Systems

Background:

• Electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs) are increasingly used in industry, with variable-speed EHAs preferred over variable-displacement types.
• High-power variable-speed EHAs face challenges like low dynamics, high thermal dissipation, and cost, necessitating alternative solutions.
• Variable-displacement EHAs using electro-variable displacement pumps (EVDPs) offer a promising alternative, integrating complex mechatronic components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a simulation-based preliminary design method for electro-variable displacement pumps (EVDPs).
• To reduce the cost and explore the performance potential of EVDPs in variable-displacement EHA applications.
• To address preliminary design challenges with limited information and enhance robustness.

Main Methods:

• Extended a multidisciplinary EVDP model to include improved parameter generation for life, reliability, and control.
• Partially verified the extended model using a downsized prototype.
• Performed system-level EVDP simulations using the validated model to predict performance metrics.

Main Results:

• The simulation-based design method successfully predicted EVDP performance, including temperature, bandwidth, accuracy, reliability, and lifetime.
• Simulation results confirmed the applicability of the designed 37 kW EVDP for variable-displacement EHAs.
• The method demonstrated its capability to evaluate diverse EVDP performance and meet general design requirements.

Conclusions:

• The proposed simulation-based preliminary design method is effective for developing EVDPs for variable-displacement EHAs.
• The method aids in overcoming preliminary design challenges related to limited data and robustness.
• This approach supports the realization of cost-effective and high-performance EVDPs for industrial applications.