North American Edition

design technology

Ricardo Unveils Next Generation

Engine Simulation Software
icardo Software, the Burr
Ridge, Ill., division of Ricardo Inc., has unveiled the
latest addition to its engine modeling
software package. WAVE v5 is a onedimensional gas dynamics simulation
software suite designed for simulation
and modeling of air and combustion gas
flows in diesel and gasoline engines.
WAVE is designed to enable performance simulations to be carried out
based on virtually any intake, combustion and exhaust system design. Typical
development applications include:
Engine performance and turbocharger matching.
Intake and exhaust system design.
Coupled engine control and driveline simulation.
Advanced diesel and spark-ignition
combustion analysis.
Thermal analysis of combustion
chamber components and exhaust
system warm-up.
WAVE v5 now features more advanced preprocessors such as a builtin knowledge-based 3D Component
Modeler/Automatic Mesher (WaveBuild3D) and a WAVE CAD mesher
from STL import. These new preprocessors enable users to create complex
models very quickly and accurately, the
company said.
Another key attribute of the newest
WAVE generation involves its ability to
automate key elements of the simulation process. According to the company, current generation 1D simulation
programs entail significant time spent
preparing the engine flow network, an
activity that adds little engineering
value. WAVE v5 provides tools to automate this routine activity, which reduces
the development cycle time. With
WAVE v5, users can now automate the

Ricardo has introduced WAVE v5, a one-dimensional gas dynamics simulation software
suite designed for simulation and modeling of air and combustion gas flows in diesel
and gasoline engines.

preprocessing of engine flow networks

especially complex/irregular geometries such as manifolds, catalysts, air
cleaners, etc. using tools such as the
WAVE CAD mesher and the new
built-in solid modeler, said Fawzan
Alsharif, business development manager
at Ricardo Software.
WAVE v5 also provides tools for
automating run sweep generation, performing parametric designs and mathematical operations for the manipulation
of input data, as well as a built-in autocalibration capability where users can
automate the task of matching simulation results with measured data. These
features can significantly reduce development cycle time, the company said. In
addition, the software incorporates intel-

DIESEL PROGRESS NORTH AMERICAN EDITION February 2003

ligent defaults, based on Ricardos experience, to any engine model flow network component created with WAVE.
Optimization using DoE is also possible,
using simple manual tuning tools.
The new software contains upgrades
and additions in the areas of threedimensional component automation,
advanced physical models, postprocessing and usability. It allows users
to get results faster and provides models for predicting engine-out emissions, the performance of aftertreatment systems and the behavior of
more complex combustion systems. It
also incorporates enhancements to its
variable valve timing capability and can
model variable geometry turbocharger
characteristics.

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design technology

WAVE v5 is designed to enable performance simulations to be carried out

based on virtually any intake, combustion and exhaust system design.
Another key attribute involves its ability
to automate key elements of the simulation process.

1D codes typically allow the modeling of combustion using input combustion data (correlational models) or by
means of predictive/empirical models,
Alsharif added. WAVE v5 stands out in
that it provides full 3D CFD capability
for modeling diesel combustion. This
should allow engine performance analysts in the diesel industry to perform the
most complex combustion calculation
from within the WAVE environment,
while benefiting from WAVEs capabilities at producing results for the overall
engine system designs.
WAVE v5 also allows the user to
import STL files and easily mesh a complex component using the new WAVE
CAD Mesher. This provides, Ricardo
said, higher productivity and lower userto-user modeling variability enabling a
process of mesh to model in minutes.
Designing components occurs at a
component level, so this is almost like a
paradigm shift, said Alsharif. Traditionally, 1D simulation codes allowed
modeling flow networks using primitive
objects such as ducts and junctions.
The new XML file format technology allows modeling, storage and
modification of components using the
new component browser that allows
management of component repositories, such as intake manifolds, exhaust
manifolds or engine resonators.

February 2003 DIESEL PROGRESS NORTH AMERICAN EDITION