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Rotational Mechanical Converter (IL)

Interface between isothermal liquid and mechanical rotational networks

Since R2020a

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  • Rotational Mechanical Converter (IL) block

Libraries:
Simscape / Foundation Library / Isothermal Liquid / Elements

Description

The Rotational Mechanical Converter (IL) block models an interface between an isothermal liquid network and a mechanical rotational network. The block converts isothermal liquid pressure into mechanical torque and vice versa. It can be used as a building block for rotary actuators.

The converter contains a variable volume of liquid. If the Fluid dynamic compressibility check box is selected, then the pressure evolves based on the dynamic compressibility of the liquid volume. The Mechanical orientation parameter lets you specify whether an increase in the liquid volume results in a positive or negative rotation of port R relative to port C.

Port A is the isothermal liquid conserving port associated with the converter inlet. Ports R and C are the mechanical rotational conserving ports associated with the moving interface and converter casing, respectively.

Mass Balance

The mass conservation equations in the mechanical converter volume are

m˙A={ε ρID ω,if fluid dynamic compressibility is offε ρID ω+1βIdpIdtρIV,if fluid dynamic compressibility is onω=dθdtω=ωR−ωCV=Vdead+εDθ

where:

  • m˙A is the mass flow rate into the converter through port A.

  • ε is the mechanical orientation of the converter (1 if increase in fluid pressure causes positive rotation of R relative to C, -1 if increase in fluid pressure causes negative rotation of R relative to C).

  • ρI is the fluid density inside the converter.

  • βI is the fluid bulk modulus inside the converter.

  • D is the converter volume displacement, that is, fluid volume needed to rotate the shaft per angle unit.

  • ω is the angular velocity of the converter interface.

  • ωR and ωC are the angular velocities of ports R and C, respectively.

  • θ is the converter interface rotation.

  • V is the liquid volume inside the converter.

  • Vdead is the dead volume, that is, volume of liquid when the interface rotation is 0.

  • pI is the pressure inside the converter.

If you connect the converter to a Multibody joint, use the physical signal input port q to specify the rotation of port R relative to port C. Otherwise, the block calculates the interface rotation from relative port angular velocities, according to the equations above. The interface rotation is zero when the liquid volume is equal to the dead volume. Then, depending on the Mechanical orientation parameter value:

  • If Pressure at A causes positive rotation of R relative to C, the interface rotation increases when the liquid volume increases from dead volume.

  • If Pressure at A causes negative rotation of R relative to C, the interface rotation decreases when the liquid volume increases from dead volume.

Equations used to compute the fluid mixture density and bulk modulus depend on the selected isothermal liquid model. For detailed information, see Isothermal Liquid Modeling Options.

Momentum Balance

The momentum conservation equation in the mechanical converter volume is

τ=ε(penv−p)D,

where:

  • τ is the torque the liquid exerts on the converter interface.

  • penv is the environment pressure outside the converter.

Assumptions and Limitations

  • Converter walls are perfectly rigid.

  • The converter contains no mechanical hard stops. To include hard stops, use the Rotational Hard Stop block.

  • The flow resistance between the inlet and the interior of the converter is negligible.

  • The kinetic energy of the fluid in the converter is negligible.

Ports

Input

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Input physical signal that passes the position information from a Simscape™ Multibody™ joint. Connect this port to the position sensing port q of the joint. For more information, see Connecting Simscape Networks to Simscape Multibody Joints.

Dependencies

To enable this port, set the Interface rotation parameter to Provide input signal from Multibody joint.

Conserving

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Isothermal liquid conserving port associated with the converter inlet.

Mechanical rotational conserving port associated with the moving interface.

Mechanical rotational conserving port associated with the converter casing.

Parameters

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Select the alignment of moving interface with respect to the fluid pressure:

  • Pressure at A causes positive rotation of R relative to C — Increase in the fluid pressure results in a positive rotation of port R relative to port C.

  • Pressure at A causes negative rotation of R relative to C — Increase in the fluid pressure results in a negative rotation of port R relative to port C.

Select method to determine rotation of port R relative to port C:

  • Calculate from angular velocity of port R relative to port C — Calculate rotation from relative port angular velocities, based on the mass balance equations. This is the default method.

  • Provide input signal from Multibody joint — Enable the input physical signal port q to pass the rotation information from a Multibody joint. Use this method only when you connect the converter to a Multibody joint by using a Rotational Multibody Interface block. For more information, see How to Pass Position Information.

Rotational offset of port R relative to port C at the start of simulation. A value of 0 corresponds to an initial liquid volume equal to Dead volume.

Dependencies

Enabled when the Interface rotation parameter is set to Calculate from angular velocity of port R relative to port C.

  • If Mechanical orientation is Pressure at A causes positive rotation of R relative to C, the parameter value must be greater than or equal to 0.

  • If Mechanical orientation is Pressure at A causes negative rotation of R relative to C, the parameter value must be less than or equal to 0.

Displaced liquid volume per unit rotation of the moving interface.

Volume of liquid when the interface rotation is 0.

The cross-sectional area of the converter inlet, in the direction normal to the flow path.

Select a specification method for the pressure outside the converter:

  • Atmospheric pressure — Use the atmospheric pressure, specified by the Thermal Liquid Settings (TL) or Thermal Liquid Properties (TL) block connected to the circuit.

  • Specified pressure — Specify a value by using the Environment pressure parameter.

Pressure outside the converter acting against the pressure of the converter liquid volume. A value of 0 indicates that the converter expands into vacuum.

Dependencies

Enabled when the Environment pressure specification parameter is set to Specified pressure.

Select whether to account for the dynamic compressibility of the liquid. Dynamic compressibility gives the liquid density a dependence on pressure and temperature, impacting the transient response of the system at small time scales.

Liquid pressure in the converter at the start of simulation.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, select the Fluid dynamic compressibility check box.

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

Version History

Introduced in R2020a

See Also

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