Turbomachinery

Fixed- and variable-displacement devices for mechanical-gas energy conversion

Use these blocks to model turbomachinery in the gas domain.

Simscape Blocks

Fan (G)	Fan in gas network
Compressor (G)	Gas compressor in a thermodynamic cycle (Since R2021a)
Positive-Displacement Compressor (G)	Positive displacement compressor in a gas network (Since R2022a)
Turbine (G)	Gas turbine in a thermodynamic cycle (Since R2021a)
Ejector (G)	Ejector in a gas network (Since R2023a)

Featured Examples

Simple CPU Cooling System

A simple CPU cooling system consists of a heat sink, a CPU fan, and fan controllers. The heat generated by the CPU is transferred to the heat sink by conduction and it is dissipated to the cooling air by forced convection mechanism. The heat sink is a parallel plate fin with rectangular fins between the plate fins. The CPU fan moves air across the heat sink by drawing air into the case grille from the outside and ejecting warm air from inside. The fan controller unit includes three control levels, representing a 3-speed switch, according to the CPU temperature. For lower CPU temperature, the fan speed is decreased and for higher temperature it is increased.

Open Model

Brayton Cycle (Gas Turbine)

Models a gas turbine auxiliary power unit (APU) based on the Brayton Cycle. The power input to the system is represented by heat injection into the combustor; actual combustion chemistry is not modeled. A single shaft connects the compressor and the turbine so that the power from the turbine drives the compressor. The APU is a free turbine that further expands the exhaust stream to produce output power.

Open Model

Antagonistic McKibben Muscle Actuator

This demo shows a muscle actuation based on two air muscle actuators (or McKibben artificial muscles) in antagonistic connection. The air muscle actuators are connected to the opposite sides of a lever. The 4-way directional valve is controlled by an electro-mechanical valve actuator. In the 4-way directional way when the high-pressure path P-A and return line B-T are open, the top air muscle actuator contracts and forces the bottom air muscle actuator on the opposite side to extend. Similarly, as the high-pressure path P-B and return line A-T open, the bottom air muscle actuator starts to contract and forces the top air muscle actuator to extend. The oscillating motions of the muscles are converted into the angular rotation of the output load connected to the mechanical linkage modeled with the slider-cranks.

Open Model

Compressor Map

Create the pressure ratio, corrected mass flow rate, and efficiency tables required to specify the performance characteristics of a dynamic compressor.

Open Live Script