Lotus Engine Simulation
Lotus Engine Simulation is a state of the art PC-based simulation system for engine performance prediction, combining models for unsteady gas flow in manifold components with those characterising the combustion process.
Lotus Engine Simulation is a powerful tool allowing powertrain analysts to develop engine models rapidly, carry out parameter studies and optimisation, providing real time and cost savings.
Developed by engineers, who understand the engine development process, it features a clear and intuitive interface allowing the rapid development of simulation models and easy analysis of results. On-line help and comprehensive tutorial files are included with the software which combined with the easy-to-use interface results in an unparalleled learning curve.
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Features
- » Simulates steady-state or transient engine performance
- » Gasoline or Diesel, pressure-charged of naturally aspirated engines
- » Two- or four-stroke engines
- » State of the art numerics and robust boundary models
- » Intuitive user interface and model quality evaluation
- » Comprehensive built-in post processing
- » Bespoke licensing and training options
English
Supported Technologies
Windows 95/98/ME,
Windows XP/2000/NT
Software
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Pricing
Users (# of seats)
lesoftsupport@lotuscars.co.uk
01953 608768
Tailored licencing arrangements are available
Typically, software can be bought as a perpetual licence, or leased annually or monthly.
The single cylinder version of Lotus Engine Simulation is availabe to download as FREEWARE.
Resources
Additional Product Information
Lotus Engine Simulation is capable of delivering accurate analysis for both 2 and 4 stroke engines, in either naturally aspirated or pressure charged forms.
State-of-the-art calculation solvers are used with the gas dynamics of the manifold systems modelled using a shock-capturing (Total Variation Diminishing) finite volume scheme which gives second-order spatial and temporal accuracy and is robust and efficient.
Lotus Engine Simulation has been comprehensively validated through extensive use in projects covering the wide variety of engines designed and developed by Lotus Engineering.
Lotus Engine Simulation provides a powerful 'drag-and-drop' engine network builder. Engine components can be selected from a tool box and connected directly to the model. Spark-ignition or diesel engines can be modelled with any combination of cylinders, valves, pipes, plenums, throttles, junctions, turbochargers, superchargers, charge-coolers, and silencer super elements. Connectivity error-checking is provided as you build the model, guided by an intelligent component library. Complex pipes can be modelled as single elements by specifying equivalent diameters at multiple sections along their axes. Lotus Engine Simulation incorporates a Tool Box of elements specifically devised for the comprehensive representation of internal combustion engine components. Single- and two-part Wiebe functions can be used to model the combustion process in gasoline or diesel engines. Alternatively, the user can import heat release data, either from the built-in combustion analysis tool or from an external source.
To provide the mechanism for controlling the properties of a simulation model Sensors are used to sense an element's property during the simulation run. Sensors are attached to components via harness wires and the required particular property identified. Actuators are attached via harness wires to components to modify a chosen property of the attached element. Actuators can be applied every time step or every cycle. They can be applied to groups of elements or on an individual basis. Simple uses of sensors and actuators are to provide variable valve timing functionality, turbocharger wastegates and variable volume intake systems. They can also be used to construct more sophisticated control systems involving several interacting model elements during transient events.
Quality assessment of data is vital to any simulation exercise. The Data Checking Wizard implements a QA procedure at the job submission point.
All input parameters are scrutinised as a job is submitted and detailed feed-back is provided based on four levels of data integrity. On-line help facilities are provided for all aspects of Lotus Engine Simulation. Detailed descriptions of all input data variables for each of the modelling elements is provided. A comprehensive section on the theory used in the simulation program is included in the on-line help, giving the user vital knowledge of the modelling techniques employed. Lotus Engine Simulation is shipped with a wide-ranging set of tutorials.
Parametric analysis can be performed automatically within Lotus Engine Simulation. Up to 10 parameters can be varied simultaneously. Component groups are selected and user specified increments are applied to modify component properties. The parametric tool automatically generates data files required to run the full matrix of tests.
Optimisation of engine performance can be achieved rapidly using the integrated optimisation tool. This allows the user to perform parametric studies without the need to evaluate the full test matrix. User specified target performance can be defined using weighting functions. These provide the criteria within which the optimiser operates and allow the user to rapidly compare results from many tests.
Simulation results can be assessed instantly using the powerful graphics facilities built into Lotus Engine Simulation. Any combination of cycle-averaged or intra-cycle parameter can be extracted from the results files and cross-plotted. User-formatted output data is easily created using the 'Column Write' wizard.