PTL Powertrain Technology

Complex interactions, often with feedback loops, can occur which affect the transient operation, performance and durability of machinery. In general these interactions aren’t strong and can be ignored, leading to simplification in the design and analysis process.

Sometimes however the simulation of these phenomena is the only way to achieve the required system performance.

PTL has the experience and capability necessary to understand when multiphysics modelling is required and to devise a program of work to model these interactions in the most expedited way.

A fitting example of a multiphysics problem is the hydraulic operation of the engine poppet valves, which control the breathing of an internal combustion engine. The use of hydraulics to control the timing of the valve opening events results in improved engine fuel economy and emissions. These advantages however, can be only achieved if the system performs identically for all the engine cylinders.

The hydraulic valvetrains are controlled through electromagnetic solenoid valves, which control the flow and pressure of the hydraulic fluid which in turn open and close the engine poppet valves. Tolerances in the components, pressure waves in the oil passages, mechanical vibrations and other factors can alter the opening and closing timings of the poppet valves from one cylinder to the next.

Non uniform in valve opening timings can lead to increased engine emissions and require increased size catalysts, cost, engine mass and fuel consumption.

The use of multiphysics modelling techniques applied to all the engine valvetrains provides the means to understanding and quantify the important features of a successful design.