Research
Maha Fluid Power Research Center hosts cutting-edge research in hydraulics and fluid power. From computer modeling of pumps and motors, to experimental verification on real-world equipment, every aspect of fluid power and motion control is explored at Maha.
Multics: Multi-domain modeling of Pumps & Motors
Multics is a cross-platform, multi-physics modeling software for positive displacement machines. It enables rapid design assessment
and optimization.
Multics simulates the operation of hydraulic pumps/motors, combining multiple domains of study, such as:
- Micromotions & deformations of internal parts
- Power losses in lubricating films
- Leakage flows and temperature
- Fluid aeration & cavitation
- And more!
The software is highly configurable for different types of pumps and motors. The current presets include:
- Axial Piston Machines (Multics CASPAR)
- External Gear Machines
- Internal Gear Machines
- Gerotors
Check out the Multics Brochure for more information.
Pumps & Motor Novel Designs
Maha has been contributing towards innovative designs in pumps and motors, to meet different technology trends:
- New feature introduction
Maha has worked on innovative design feautes to expand the range of applications in specific pump/motor designs, resulting in a variet of prototype developments - Energy efficiency improvement
Researching better designs of pump/motor units to decrease losses due to heat and friction is an area in which Maha is doing significant work. - Optimal operating range expansion
Through study of the limiting factors of unit operation, Maha develops and tests new solutions that can increase the envelope of conditions in which a pump/motor can run. - Noise emissions reduction
Through increased understanding of unit noise sources from acoustics modeling and study, new solutions are being developed to reduce frequency emissions. See Noise Contol & Acoustics for more. - Pump electrification: ePump
Maha is creating and validating designs for integrated electric-hydraulic machine prototypes. See Electrification of Fluid Power Systems for more.
Noise Control & Acoustics
Research activities in this area aim at understanding the sources of noise within hydraulic pumps and systems to provide
solutions for quieter technology.
The analyses include all relevant domains of Fluid Borne Noise (FBN), Structure Borne Noise (SBN), and Airborne Noise (ABN).
Activities mainly focus on positive displacement machines, where the in-house Multics simulation tool is used to replicate the
measurements gathered from the Maha Sound Chamber.
Click Here to watch a more in-depth presentation on acoustics modeling at Maha.
High Efficiency Hydraulic Actuations
Activities at Maha encompass drive cycle analysis application, to the formulation, simulation, and testing of novel solutions
that improve energy efficiency.
- Pump displacement control (DC)
- Hydraulic hybrids
- Multi-pressure rail systems
- Electronic load sensing
- Independent metering actuation
Electrification of Fluid Power Systems
This area of research relates to new concepts for fluid power systems and components suitable to electric-powered applications,
such as battery operated vehicles.
Compared to conventional engine-driven systems, such applications require a more energy-efficient, compact, and integrated system
that can meet the power characteristics of electric prime movers. Researchers at Maha are working at both the component level (integrated ePumps)
and the system level (electro-hydraulic actuation, EHA).
Active Vibration Damping & Traction Control
This area of research aims at increasing the operator's comfort and machine controllability by proposing solutions for reducing
machine vibrations. Several solutions for Active Ride Control have been proposed, which uses the working hydraulics with advanced
electro-hydraulic control techniques.
Intelligent traction control systems have been developed for off-road vehicles to ease the operator effort and reduce tire wear.
Considering the Maha mid-size wheel loader, introduced control strategies achieved wheel slip reduction up to 73%, fuel economy
improvement up to 5%, and an increase in pushing force up to 60%.
Fluid Property Modeling & Cavitation Analysis
Research on fluid properties of hydraulic fluids complements Maha's effort of formulating techniques for accurate modeling of
hydraulic components and systems.
This area of research includes the following topics:
- Modeling and experimentation of cavitation and aeration
- Modeling properties of non-Newtonian fluids used in hydraulic components
- Modeling fluid properties affecting friction in hydraulic components
Condition Monitoring of Hydraulic Systems
Maha condition monitoring (CM) activites focus on both diagnostic and prognostic analyses of hydraulic control systems. Researchers
have implemented a variety of CM algorithms and techniques in both simulation and on reference vehicles to monitor the health
status of main hydraulic components.
Experimental work has included both specific fault detection and life percentage predictions. With concentration on applicability
in mobile machinery, optimal sensor selection and signal processing has also been a primary area of research in creating CM solutions for
effective real-time analysis.
Machine Learning Applied to Fluid Power
Maha researchers use machine learning neural networks to speed up elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) simulations. A convolutional
neural network (CNN) was demonstrated to accurately predict the steady-state pressure distribution in a journal bearing, considering
pressure deformation and cavitation.
Compared to the traditional numerical method, the proposed CNN is 250 times faster. Similar neural network approaches are being developed
to implement in pump and motor kinematics and lubricating interface simulations.