Thermo-Hydraulic Modelling and Experimental Validation of an Electro-Hydraulic Compact Drive

Electro-hydraulic compact drives (ECDs) are an emerging technology for linear actuation in a wide range of applications. Especially within the low power 5–10 kW, plug-and-play capability, good energy efficiency and small space requirements ECDs render this promising alternative to replace conventional valve-controlled drive solutions. In range, generally rely on passive cooling keep oil system temperatures tolerated range. When expanding application larger classes, may not be sufficient. Research investigating thermal behaviour is limited but indeed required successful expansion order obtain valuable insights into ECDs, thermo-hydraulic simulation important tool. This enable design engineers simulate thus develop proper designs during early phase, especially if such models contain few parameters that can determined with information available. Our paper presents lumped model derived from conservation mass energy. The was experimentally validated based experimental data ECD prototype. Results show accuracy between measured simulated temperatures. Even simple containing only resistances sufficient predict steady-state transient reasonable accuracy. presented used further investigations toward expand