Simulation in FluidSIM

Based on our research and experiences in fluid engineering (hydraulics, pneumatics), we have realized tools for drawing, simulating, and structure visualization of electrofluidic circuits. These tools can provide a new quality when analysing or synthesizing fluidic systems since they enable a user to quickly evaluate and modify solutions for hydraulic and pneumatic manipulation problems. This overview comprises selected concepts of our tools as well as of our current research in this field. 1 Problem Formulation at the Mental Model Level A technical system can be modeled at very different levels. A declarative specification, e. g. in form of a mental model, enables an engineer to describe the system without having the processing of his model in mind. On the other hand, an algorithmic model encodes knowledge about model processing and is definitely much closer to the computer. Figure 1 shows the abstraction hierarchy of models [13]. In connection with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, the common mental model level is the CAD drawing of the related circuits. Elements on this modeling level are DIN symbols each of which representing a hydraulic component (cf. Figure 2). Put another way, in the fluid domain the mental model level is usually equivalent to the graphical component level. Figure 3 does also depict a graphical model. However, this model level is far away from being on a mental Simulation t F + Real system Question