Modeling, simulating and analyzing technical systems in aerospace engineering

SimulationX helps us design detailed models of aerospace components which can be used in other applications via FMI.

Thomas Meschede, Technical University of Berlin,
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems

Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Engineering

Efficient development and testing of aerospace systems with dynamic system simulation

In order to achieve low-noise and emission-free air travel, the growing electrification of airplanes plays a crucial role. Hybrid-electric and electric drive systems, however, require comprehensive knowledge of complex aerospace components and systems. A powerful simulation platform for multiphysics systems helps you stay in control and identify interactions also within complex structures. Develop and analyze new concepts efficiently and reliably through system simulation. Use virtual system models also for optimizations of drives, for the development of electrical networks, environmental control systems (ECS), reliable fuel systems, control and sensor technology as well as other subsystems and components.

With the ESI-Group's longstanding experience in the aerospace industry and the successful history of SimulationX, you can rely on a rock-solid solution package combining software and expertise.

Market requirements and trends

Challenges in aerospace engineering

Besides the electrification of conventional systems, it is the improvement of existing components which poses another challenge to research institutes as well as manufacturers and suppliers of aircraft and spacecraft:

  • Increase of performance and comfort
  • Reduction of costs, package space and weight
  • Guarantee of reliability and safety

With the efficient method of lumped element system simulation, you can develop and optimize planes, helicopters, drones (UAV), spacecraft and satellites economically:

  • Validate concepts and initial ideas.
  • Dimension components systematically.
  • Increase the performance of all subsystems and the system as a whole.
  • Ensure safe operation of all components and systems.

Challenges in aeronautics

  • Development of new, hybrid drive concepts in accordance with European emission targets for air traffic (Vision2020, Flightpath 2050)
  • Development of cost-efficient, reliable and increasingly electrified aircraft systems for environmental controls, hydraulics, pneumatics and water systems, landing gear and flight controls as well as fuel supply
  • Reduction of development cycles and costs through a tighter integration and virtualization of design processes
  • Minimization of maintenance and product lifecycle costs through optimized layouts for all involved components
  • Efficient training of technicians and maintenance personnel

Challenges in astronautics

  • Guarantee of reliable functionality for all components and systems under extreme conditions
  • Reduction of development time
  • Development of low-cost, modular satellite systems

Flight dynamics analyses with helicopters

Read the exclusive paper by Lionel Belmon from Global Crown Technology (China) to learn more about the modular approach of SimulationX and how it helps you analyze flight dynamics of different rotor configurations for rotorcraft. Follow the link to the article on ““Real-Time Simulation of Helicopter Flight Dynamics within SimulationX”.

To the paper
Our offer

Multiphysics system simulation with SimulationX for the aerospace industry: Simulate components and complex systems

SimulationX is a sophisticated platform to efficiently model, simulate and analyze mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and combined systems. From the concept to detailed development to virtual tests: Obtain reliable results on the physical behavior fast and efficiently. The method of lumped element simulation enables you to model and simulate even large and complex systems quickly, economically and reliably. The spectrum of applications in the aerospace sector ranges from the development and virtual tests of single subsystems and entire systems to real-time simulations.

  • From model in the loop (MiL) to software in the loop (SiL) to hardware in the loop (HiL): Develop and test your control system with efficient and reliable methods.
  • Review your control algorithms and hardware already at an early stage of the development process.
  • Test control software and hardware for a number of different load cases and emergency scenarios – in a nondestructive way without any risk for man or machinery.

  • Use conclusive and efficient analysis methods in order to assess the consequences of failing components or assemblies on the system as a whole.
  • Use the model structure of the simulation model to easily create your fault tree in no time.

  • Make the most of the open concept of the software platform SimulationX for numerous automated simulations and variation calculations.
  • Use scripting features for batch simulations, automated model creation, parameterization and post-processing.

  • Optimize parameters automatically with respect to the entire system’s boundary conditions and the mission.
  • Couple simulation models with specialized optimization tools fast and efficiently including OptiSLang, ModeFrontier, Isight and others for sensitivity analyses of parameters, for instance.

System simulation for manufacturers of aircraft and satellites

  • Shorten the development time through fast and efficient integration of supplier components.
  • Efficient validation of concept studies
  • Fewer test benches and prototypes through computer-aided system simulation
  • Reduce liability and failure risks and increase safety by simulating extreme conditions and malfunctions.

System simulation for suppliers in the aerospace industry

  • Economical development of efficient components and subsystems
  • Low development costs through fewer prototypes
  • Demonstration of functionalities under operating conditions

Training for technicians and maintenance personnel with realistic system models

  • Efficient training for technicians and maintenance personnel with physically correct computer simulations
  • Immediate, realistic feedback from all relevant aircraft systems
  • Effective training of malfunctions without putting human lives or machinery at risk

SimulationX by ESI for aeronautic applications: Simulation software and engineering services from a single source

As a development partner in the MISSION project (Modelling and Simulation Tools for Systems Integration on Aircraft) which is part of the European program “CleanSky2”, we are working towards the goal of elaborating and establishing a model-based process throughout all phases in the development of aircraft with the help of a sophisticated development environment.

Be it flight controls, landing gear, drive systems, environmental controls or fuel supply: Accelerate the development of aircraft systems with system simulation – from setting out requirements to test flights.

Mechanical or fly-by-wire: Either way, flight control systems in airplanes, helicopters and drones require highest precision and must be absolutely reliable.

  • Calculate occurring forces, elasticities and damping values in mechanical systems.
  • Analyze pressures and responsive behavior of hydraulic and electrohydraulic control systems.
  • Check the correct interactions between sensors, control units, actuators and mechanical components in fly-by-wire systems.

  • Examine the interactions between all mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical systems of the landing gear.
  • Design actuators precisely to reduce weight and save costs.
  • Modify vibrational and damping behavior to find the optimum balance and test different damper and spring concepts.

  • Examine battery aging under realistic load scenarios.
  • Test your engines and generators fast and efficiently for various aircraft in virtual simulations.
  • Dimension actuators and electric motors precisely based on realistic load cases.

  • Analyze and reduce vibrations in the transmissions of a helicopter’s rotor engine or a jet engine, for example.
  • Develop innovative hybrid-electric and purely electric drive systems to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

  • Whether it is mechanical, hydraulic or electromechanical actuators: With our comprehensive libraries of ready-to-use component models, you can create almost any kind of transmission models with ease.
  • Benefit from our yearlong experience in simulating power transmissions. You can draw upon our profound knowledge not only in engineering services, but also from the many model libraries that we continue to improve.

  • Develop powerful and efficient environmental control systems: Analyze the heat and air distribution in the pipe system for varying boundary conditions.
  • Reduce energy consumption with appropriate heat exchangers, cooling turbines and compressors.
  • Optimize the energy system with respect to the mission profile and variable environmental conditions.

  • Train your technicians and maintenance personnel with highly realistic models of all mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical and electrical subsystems.
  • Improve the learning curve by using realistic and physically correct behavior in real-time in mission relevant load cases.

SimulationX by ESI for astronautic applications: Simulation software and engineering services from a single source

The extreme conditions in space, the high costs per ton and the lack of repair options require an extremely high degree of operational safety and small weight of all components and systems for all sorts of satellites and spacecraft. Use our simulation solutions to shorten development cycles, reduce weight and increase your spacecraft’s system reliability.

  • Precisely dimension any components with system simulation to fit the task at hand. Ensure their proper functionality and avoid overdesigning.
  • Analyze interactions between components and subsystems early on and identify potential for optimizations.

  • Design and test complex robotic systems for different operating scenarios and environmental conditions with simulation models.
  • Analyze the behavior of mechanical and electrical systems under extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations.

  • Ensure proper functionality of the fuel supply systems with respect to thermal effects.
  • Analyze the functionality of the electronics of ion thrusters for various temperatures.
  • Develop and validate flight control systems with in-the-loop models for docking and landing maneuvers, for instance.

  • Develop efficient and reliable environmental control systems for space suits, space capsules and space modules.
  • Optimize performance, weight and energy efficiency with solid system analyses.

  • Dimension all components of the energy supply systems fast and reliably and in line with each individual mission.
  • Analyze the behavior and functionality of the backup systems for malfunctions and emergency scenarios.

  • Use existing models of your systems for failure and reliability analyses with the proven methods of FTA and FMEA.
  • Save time and costs by drawing upon existing system layouts.
References

  • TU Berlin

    The Berlin University of Technology uses SimulationX to design and optimize modular satellite systems

    about TU Berlin's project

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