An Expert System
to assist
in the Design of Hydraulic Systems
The KEOHPS Hydraulic Module is an Expert System which assists the designer to rapidly create design alternatives for Hydraulic Systems.
The system is a result of a doctorate thesis approved by Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
The system provides a training facility for students (or new engineers) and an empowering tool for experienced designers.
Technical information on this system is available at the developer's homepage .
SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY
The system functionality can be listed on the following items:
System Explanation
The first window presents an input option where you include your general data.
SELECT DIRECTORY
In order to organize the system ouputs, you can select or create a directory (up to 8 characters) on the window below.
The system concentrates on the conceptual and preliminary stages of the design process. In the context of hydraulics, it means to generate feasible design solutions with some support for the user's choice (conceptual stage) and basic sizing of components (preliminary stage).
The system is composed of a set of rules that define the necessary circuits based on the Load Attributes, as defined by the user on the Load Definition Window.
These attributes are included in a high-level language, which means that general attributes, such as position, reaction and type of control can be defined without requiring specific knowledge of hydraulics.
VIEW SYSTEMS
Check the generated systems using the option View Systems on the Menu, this option shows the names of the circuits (sub-system) within each system. In order to see the systems diagrams, click on the button Launch Browser.
ATTENTION, after each system operation that redefines the HTML files, you should use the RELOAD (or REFRESH) button on the browser to guarantee that you are seeing the UPDATED FILES.
In the system output, special attention is given to the circuit presentation, for it includes a symbolic representation, textual description and explanation of the choice for a specific configuration as function of a corresponding load attributes, in case of actuation circuit, or as consequence of power demands, for the power supply unit.
In this version, the option create dynamic models is not available. This methodology was explained during the system development.
Another system feature to contribute for training in hydraulics is the characteristic of evaluating different power units. To use this facility, check the alternatives for power supply unit on the CIRCUIT1 file.
After comparing the alternatives, you can change the power supply unit for all systems. In order to perform this, simply select the on the option View Systems click on the button Change Power Supply.
Once you choose an option, the Replace Power Supply button is activated. After the choice, the system automatically redefines all system diagrams and component lists.
This facility, that analyzes and redefines a very important factor in the design process, gives more freedom to the designer and introduces a Concurrent Engineering perspective to the design process, both aspects collaborate to train in hydraulics.
The designer can use the option Weighting Tool to add qualitative weights to certain attributes of the design, to enable the alternative systems to be ranked. This intends to support the decision making process.
The resulted ranking can be verified on the browser using the option Design Information.
SIZE CIRCUITS
Up to this point, the designs are purely conceptual. Here, you can choose to size the systems by entering values for certain load attributes such as maximum static force extended and stroke. For this, use the option Size Circuits:
Before actually sizing the circuits, you must select the pressure supply. Some aspects about Supply Pressure Definition can also find here.
The system provides a range to your choice. After selecting the pressure setup, you must include the load quantitative attributes, according to the next window.
On the above window, and its equivalent for rotational loads, the attribute "static" considers the load on a steady condition, while the "dynamic" qualifier relates to a moving situation.
Once you define quantitative attributes for the load set, and specify how the loads interact with themselves. the system performs basic sizing of all circuits. Thus, it also contributes to quicken the design process, releasing the designer from executing algorithmic tasks.
The fluid selection module offers two alternatives, in the first one, User Guide Selection, the user is presented with all available options in the fact base. Thus, based on their attributes (application, no-applicable, pressure range, etc.) the user selects the best option for the design. In the second alternative, Key Words Selection, the user is requested to enter a set of key words (e.g. fire, environment, anti-corrosion, etc.), then the system searches for the options according to this set.
EXAMPLES OF OUTPUT
The Expert System which generated this set of HTML files is being developed using the CLIPS Artificial Intelligence tool created by NASA, under two operating systems, Windows 95 and X-Windows.
Example results can be seen by clicking on the system1 and system2 links. Further information about the design can be seen on Design Information.
These
results pages were actually generated
by the
KEOHPS Hydraulic Module©.
It is recommended to maximise the browser window in order to accomodate the circuit graphics.
Any suggestions or comments about the system, please contact us:
Expert System Developer - Dr Jonny Carlos da Silva
Technical information
on this system is available at the developer's
homepage .
2000 KEOHPS