Project study

Effect of elbow-distorted inflow on a fluid actuator

A CFD variant study assessed how an upstream elbow changed inlet profile, internal flow and the resulting hydraulic action of a fluid actuator.

Comparison of secondary-flow structures upstream of a fluid actuator — Automotive · CFD simulation

Industry: Automotive
Services: CFD simulation

Engineering question

The actuator could not be judged with ideal uniform inflow when the real line introduced swirl and asymmetric velocity profiles.

Model & approach

Compare idealized and elbow-distorted inflow with the same actuator geometry
Evaluate pressure field, secondary flow and resulting fluid forces together

Boundary conditions

Several inlet distances or arrangements
Same actuator with systematically varied upstream flow

Results of the assessment

The elbow produced an asymmetric profile that persisted into the active region of the actuator.
Inlet spacing and orientation governed departure from idealized component behaviour.

Engineering consequence

The assessment supported definition of line connection and a defensible inlet model boundary.

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