2026 International Maha Fluid Power Conference: Thursday afternoon technical talks: abstracts

P37: Hydraulic Innovation in the Real World: Why Some Technologies Thrive, Many Stall, and What Comes Next

By: Germano Franzoni (Parker Hannifin, USA)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 278

Session: Electrification, Digitalization & System Design, chair Tatiana Minav

Order: talk 1 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Germano Franzoni, Principal Systems Engineer (Parker Hannifin, USA)

Abstract: Over the past three decades, hydraulic system development has seen recurring waves of innovation aimed at improving efficiency, controllability, and total cost of ownership. Many concepts have been introduced with strong technical promise—hydraulic hybrids, pump-controlled actuation, independent metering, and various forms of energy recovery for overrunning loads—yet broad market adoption has often been limited. At the same time, a smaller set of solutions has achieved durable success, such as electrohydraulic steering, while several emerging architectures remain “open verdict,” including distributed power, electrohydraulic actuation, multi-rail pressure systems, and multi-chamber cylinders. This presentation offers a practitioner’s review of these technology cycles through the lens of customer equipment development and field experience. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical benefits, it examines the practical reasons technologies succeed or stall: duty-cycle mismatch, efficiency gains that disappear in real operation, control complexity, calibration burden, packaging constraints, reliability and contamination sensitivity, functional safety requirements, serviceability, and the economic realities of machine platforms and supply chains. The talk will highlight representative examples, distilling patterns that repeatedly surface when new hydraulic architectures move from prototypes to production. The session concludes with a forward-looking perspective on where fluid power is most likely to evolve in the coming years, including the role of electronics and software, electrification-driven boundary conditions, and the increasing importance of data-driven commissioning and diagnostics. Attendees will leave with a structured way to evaluate “next big” hydraulic concepts and a set of grounded expectations for what will—and will not—scale across real machines and real customers.

P38: Electrification of Mobile Machines - Exploiting Increased Degrees of Freedom in System Design

By: Liselott Ericson (Linköping University, Sweden)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 278

Session: Electrification, Digitalization & System Design, chair Tatiana Minav

Order: talk 2 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Liselott Ericson (Linköping University, Sweden)

Abstract: Electrification of mobile machines is often viewed primarily as replacing the internal combustion engine with an electric motor. However, electrification also introduces new degrees of freedom that can fundamentally change how the complete machine and its subsystems are designed. Multiple electric machines, variable-speed operation, and new hydraulic architectures create opportunities for improved efficiency, controllability, and system integration. This presentation discusses how these increased degrees of freedom can be exploited in the design of future mobile machines, with a particular focus on electro-hydraulic systems. Examples from research will illustrate different approaches, including variable-speed pump operation, multi-pump systems, and integrated electro- hydraulic energy converters. Electrification of Mobile Machines - Exploiting Increased Degrees of Freedom in System Design At the same time, the increased degrees of freedom result in a much larger design space. Finding the best combination of system architecture, component sizing, and control therefore becomes an optimisation problem. System-level modelling and optimisation are important tools for exploiting this additional design freedom and identifying efficient solutions for future electrified mobile machines.

P39: From Simulation to Decision-Grade Evidence: Automated Pump Validation for Electrified and Severe-Duty Systems

By: Anthony Khoraych (Advanced Test and Automation Inc., Canada)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 278

Session: Electrification, Digitalization & System Design, chair Tatiana Minav

Order: talk 3 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Anthony Khoraych (Advanced Test and Automation Inc., Canada)

Abstract: The presentation would focus on practical lessons from physical pump and fluid-system validation, including model correlation, performance and durability testing, automated test execution, and the use of diagnostic measurements to better understand aeration and unstable system behaviour.

P40: Rexroth's Component Digitalization Strategy: How Software Is Redefining Hydraulics

By: Christian Bock, Kendal Beaty, Rafael Cardoso (Bosch Rexroth, USA)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 278

Session: Electrification, Digitalization & System Design, chair Tatiana Minav

Order: talk 4 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Christian Bock, Kendal Beaty, Rafael Cardoso (Bosch Rexroth US)

Abstract: Hydraulic systems have grown in capability and complexity to address growing system requirements and pain points across the industry. Pressure, flow, and power control capabilities come at an increased monetary cost in terms of physical system and hardware complexity. Through the fusing of electronic sensor data and software systems, the additional hardware complexity that was previously required can be removed or minimized. This presentation outlines how the implementation of software-centered systems can bring about physical space and cost savings, enhanced controllability and flexibility, and reduction in our environmental impact. Multiple physical configurations are required to cover specialized scenarios, creating a balancing act between functional offerings and cost effectiveness. Additional hardware components enable hydraulic systems to fulfil specialized requirements which results in increased physical complexity. A single hydraulic pump now becomes a family of options; each tailored to specific use cases. Using software-centered systems physical components are made digital, using model-based controls to interface with existing hardware. Hardware is automatically calibrated and data filtered to account for tolerances and improve accuracy. Interchangeability of components becomes easier, as the reactions of the hardware can be digitally tuned to the application type. The physical hydraulics become an adjustable system to account for a use cases requirements and operational needs. This presentation will showcase Rexroth's latest progress in integrating software with hydraulic components for open and closed-circuit systems. We will demonstrate how we are both enhancing current components with software and creating new hydraulic devices designed specifically for electronic control.

P41: Understanding and Mitigating Common Mode Current in Electrified Systems

By: Scott D. Sudhoff (Purdue University, USA)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 278

Session: Electrification, Digitalization & System Design, chair Tatiana Minav

Order: talk 5 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Scott D. Sudhoff (Purdue University, USA)

Abstract: The fast edge rates of modern power semiconductors coupled with unavoidable parasitic capacitances results in common mode currents. These currents flow through the ground conductors and structure of a vehicle rather than through the intended power conductors. The fields produced by common mode currents fall off very slowly with distance and can lead to interference and control system failure. Common mode voltages can build up and pit bearings in machinery leading to mechanical failure. In this presentation, the nature, causes, and mitigation of common mode voltages and currents are discussed.

P42: Advances in H2 Engine-Powered Off-Road Vehicles through Integrated Hydraulic System Design and Control

By: Elena Menegatti, Doni Thomas, Greg Shaver, Andrea Vacca (Purdue University, USA)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 278

Session: Electrification, Digitalization & System Design, chair Tatiana Minav

Order: talk 6 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Elena Menegatti, Doni Thomas, Greg Shaver, Andrea Vacca (Purdue University, USA)

Abstract: Hydrogen engines offer a promising pathway for reducing carbon emissions in off-road vehicles while largely retaining the established architecture, components, and manufacturing processes of conventional internal combustion engines. However, operating H2 engines under ultra-lean conditions to suppress knock and reduce engine-out NOx emissions introduces significant challenges in transient operation. This work investigates a Multi- Pressure Rail (MPR) hydraulic architecture as an enabling technology for ultra-lean H2 engine operation in a medium-to-large-sized excavator. The proposed system uses multiple pressure levels to reduce throttling losses and decouple actuator power demand from the engine, enabling down-speeding toward higher break thermal efficiency regions, reducing fuel consumption and hydrogen storage requirements. By controlling the pump displacement and distributing hydraulic power across the pressure rails, the MPR architecture lowers the torque demand, allowing the H2 engine to maintain stable operation in ultra-lean conditions. The proposed approach is evaluated through high-fidelity co-simulation of the engine, hydraulic actuation system, and system controller. Results demonstrate that the MPR architecture significantly improves engine transient response during demanding excavator cycles that cannot be sustained with conventional load sensing hydraulics. The results highlight the potential of coordinated hydraulic system design and engine control to enable H2 engines for off-road applications. SIMULATION TECHNOLOGY Thu Sep 10, 1:20 PM, Stewart Center 279

P43: Model Based Design Applied to the Software Development of a Fully Digitalised Hydraulic Circuit – Smart Miniexcavator Case Study

By: Francesco Corradin (Walvoil, Italy)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 279

Session: Simulation Technology, chair Harish Manne

Order: talk 1 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Francesco Corradin (Walvoil S.p.A.)

Abstract: A Model Based Design (MBD) approach is presented for the software development of a fully digitalised hydraulic circuit, using a Smart Miniexcavator as a case study. The digital twin of the machine is built in Amesim, where both the 3D multibody excavator model and the hydraulic model are developed and integrated. Through co- simulation with Simulink, the control logic — covering electronic pump management strategies and overall system logics — is designed and validated in a fully virtual environment. This approach significantly reduces the need for physical prototyping and on-machine test hours, resulting in a faster, more robust and fully traceable software development process.

P44: Unsteady CFD Analysis of Alternating Flow Patterns in a Restrictive Orifice of a Pressure Regulator Valve

By: Naoki Hirose, Seiei Masuda, Yasushi Matsunaga, Fumio Shimizu, Kazuhiro Tanaka and Takeshi Yamaguchi (IHI Corporation, Japan and Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 279

Session: Simulation Technology, chair Harish Manne

Order: talk 2 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Naoki Hirose, Seiei Masuda, Yasushi Matsunaga (IHI Corporation, Japan); Fumio Shimizu, Kazuhiro Tanaka, Takeshi Yamaguchi (Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan)

Abstract: The damping force generated by the damping orifice installed in a pressure-regulating valve is regarded as a key factor governing the overall stability and dynamic response of the valve. However, this damping force varies in a complex manner depending on the local flow field around the orifice, the amplitude of the volumetric flow rate, and the excitation frequency, and its fundamental mechanisms have not yet been fully clarified. To elucidate these mechanisms, three-dimensional unsteady CFD analyses were performed for the flow around the damping orifice within a pressure-regulating valve system, and the resulting flow patterns were examined in detail. The analyses revealed that, under unidirectional-flow conditions, a highly unsteady vortical structure is formed in which starting and stopping vortices are generated and subsequently collapse, whereas under alternating-flow conditions, distinctly different flow fields appear on the upstream and downstream sides of the orifice. This paper reports on these characteristic flow-field structures.

Published paper (PDF): https://www.riverpublishers.com/downloadchapter.php?file=RP_9788743816782C4.pdf

P45: 1D System Modeling and 3D CFD Co-Simulation Methodology for Analyzing Transient Behavior in Hydraulic Valves

By: Priyanka Viswanath, Nathan Rosenbaum, Chris Imholte, Ashutosh Pandey and Bipin Kashid (Simerics, USA and Parker Hannifin, USA)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 279

Session: Simulation Technology, chair Harish Manne

Order: talk 3 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Priyanka Viswanath, Ashutosh Pandey (Simerics Inc., USA); Nathan Rosenbaum, Chris Imholte, Bipin Kashid (Parker Hannifin, USA)

Abstract: Hydraulic valves are key components in fluid power systems and are required to operate reliably over wide pressure, flow, and temperature ranges, often under fast-changing load conditions. As hydraulic systems become more compact, complex interactions between valves and the surrounding sub-system can lead to undesirable phenomena such as noise and dynamic instabilities. These effects can degrade system performance, damage components, and negatively impact operator experience. Identifying the root cause of such behavior is challenging and frequently relies on repeated prototyping and extended testing, increasing development time and delaying product launch. This paper presents a decoupled cosimulation methodology for modeling transient flow behavior and instabilities in hydraulic valves. The approach combines one-dimensional (1D) sub-system modeling with threedimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis using Simerics-MP+. The 1D models establish the operating envelope and are validated against test data to define the boundary conditions for high- fidelity 3D CFD simulations. Targeted CFD analysis enables the identification of operational deviations, cavitation, jets, flow separation and ensuing vortices, which are critical in identifying local instabilities. These detailed insights are difficult to obtain through 1D analysis or to capture experimentally. By maintaining a decoupled framework, the methodology ensures computational efficiency while preserving realistic system behavior. The results demonstrate reduced prototyping cycles and accelerated valve development, providing a practical and scalable approach for resolving complex dynamic issues in modern hydraulic valve designs.

Published paper (PDF): https://www.riverpublishers.com/downloadchapter.php?file=RP_9788743816782C7.pdf

P46: Excavator Closed-Loop Simulator: From Fuel to Soil

By: Romain Nicolas (Siemens, France)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 279

Session: Simulation Technology, chair Harish Manne

Order: talk 4 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Romain Nicolas (Siemens)

Abstract: This presentation is about demonstrating a closed-loop excavator simulator where soil resistance, machine dynamics, hydraulic power & fuel consumption interact in one co-simulation loop, so we can explore the real trade-offs and move toward multi-objective optimization and verification: productivity, fuel consumption, and durability, together. A step-by-step approach is presented where Simcenter Motionsolve, Simcenter Amesim and Simcenter EDEM are demoed all together.

P47: Modeling of Rotor Deformation Effects in Gerotor Pumps for High Pressure Applications

By: Kai Ping Qwah, Andrea Vacca, and Matthias Krug (Purdue University, USA and Thomas Group, Germany)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 279

Session: Simulation Technology, chair Harish Manne

Order: talk 5 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Kai Ping Qwah, Andrea Vacca, Matthias Krug (Purdue University, USA and Thomas Group, Germany)

Abstract: Gerotor pumps are widely utilized as positive displacement units in low-to-medium pressure applications, such as automotive engine oil and fuel systems. Modern technological demands require higher operating pressures, for which Gerotors remain a strong candidate. While advanced simulation models can accelerate progress in Gerotor design, modeling a pump for high-pressure applications necessitates accounting for rotor deformation effects, which are often overlooked in conventional rigid-body models. Current methodologies, including 3D CFD, lumped parameter (LP), coupled LP-lubricating interface models, and deformable lateral compensation mechanisms, fail to capture the exact rotor deformation effects that influence the lubricating interface, TSV pressurization, and internal leakage behaviors. To address this gap, this paper presents a multi-domain numerical model that integrates rotor deformation effects into the simulation of a lateral compensation Gerotor pump’s operation. Utilizing a fully-coupled LP-CFD-FEM framework, this approach is implemented via the proprietary MULTICS multi-physics simulation tool. The model incorporates an FEM polygonal ring formulation that calculates the structural deformation, capturing the displacement of each tooth and the resulting alteration of the tooth tip gap height. This model forms a comprehensive coupling with LP and Reynolds solvers to evaluate the tooth tip flow loss and the lateral film leakages, respectively. The proposed model provides detailed estimations of lateral film behaviors, including tilting and lateral gap heights, TSV pressurization, and the overall volumetric efficiency of the pump. Comparative analysis against experimental results reveals a close match in both lateral film behavior and volumetric efficiency, emphasizing the critical role of rotor deformation. Results demonstrate a predicted volumetric efficiency of approximately 72% when rotor deformation effects are considered, closely aligning with experimental data, compared to an over-predicted 83% when these effects are neglected. This work highlights the critical importance of rotor deformation considerations in high-pressure applications, advancing the state of the art in gerotor pump modeling and simulation.

P48: Experimental Characterization and Control-Oriented Modelling of Proportional Valves for Multi-Common Pressure Rail Systems

By: Zihao Xu, Andrea Vacca (Purdue University, USA)

When: Thursday 10 September 2026 (Day 3), 13:20-15:20 ET

Where: Stewart Center, Room 279

Session: Simulation Technology, chair Harish Manne

Order: talk 6 of 6, about 20 min each

Type: Technical presentation with published abstract

Full author list: Zihao Xu, Andrea Vacca (Purdue University, USA)

Abstract: Multi-common pressure rail (MPR) systems are emerging as a high-efficiency architecture for multi- actuator machines because they reduce throttling losses and enable energy recuperation. Recent studies, including prior work from this lab, identify pressure rails combined with multi-chamber cylinders as a particularly promising configuration, which is now approaching commercial deployment. However, accurate motion control remains a major challenge. All control actions are ultimately realized by proportional valves, whose dynamics are often insufficiently modelled and rarely validated by measurements. This work experimentally characterizes and models the proportional valves of a test rig built around a three- chamber cylinder and its valve control manifolds. A trapped-volume step test is introduced to obtain the rail-to-rail valve response without a flowmeter, using chamber-pressure measurements with the cylinder fixed at end stroke. Based on these measurements, a two-stage cascade model comprising solenoid-current and valve-opening dynamics is proposed. Model parameters are identified through forward simulation in the pressure domain, avoiding the noise amplification associated with differentiating measured pressure. The identified parameters explain the observed dead time and the valve-to-valve variation, and are now used for the design and pre-verification of the cylinder controller on the test rig. The remaining steps toward validation on the prototype machine are also discussed.