Virtual Engine Modeling
Raetech's partnership with Optimum Power Technology's Virtual Engine software provides an efficient tool for modeling manifold dynamics and pressure wave action in any piston engine.
Once the necessary primary inputs are entered, Optimum's Virtual Engine numerically simulates the complex actions and interactions of inlet and exhaust manifold layout, runner lengths and diameters and cam profile and timing.
Building a Virtual Engine begins with assembling and testing the numerical model. The model's quality determines the results' validity. Raetech's expertise in this discipline has been consistently validated on the dyno. With the model defined, a sweep is run through the chosen range of inputs, for example header length, the results are evaluated and the model iteratively refined. While this process is computationally intense and time consuming, it is a lot quicker than making actual parts.
It is important to understand that engine simulation does not remove the need for skill and care in building the engine and nor does it replace the dyno. What it does is reveal where to look for performance gains and guide how to realize them.
Virtual Engine is technically a 1D model, meaning that it considers the engine as an acoustic system. Each chamber in that system, for example an inlet plenum, has wave characteristics that interact with those of its neighbors, say an intake runner. The objective is to match such a stack of characteristics with rhythmic events such as valve timing to generate the best possible volumetric efficiency.
Virtual Engine's advantage is that doing this matching computationally means that a vast range of combinations can be economically tried before cutting metal. The output generated by the software yields not only the best likely results but, crucially, the sensitivity of those results to changes in specification.
Raetech has accumulated substantial expertise in modeling both two and four valve engines, normally aspirated and turbocharged. We can aid manufacturers at the inception of engine programs as well as engine builders seeking to optimize performance. Simulation scope can be tailored to clients' requirements and budgets making it possible to get worthwhile results for a modest investment. Initial evaluations can be built upon at any time as needs and circumstances develop.
Raetech's engine modeling provides performance, fiscal and timeline benefits to clients in manufacturing and motorsports.
» Example of Engine Modeling Results
