2013 ANSYS Hall of Fame Competition - Entry

Clean Current Power Systems

Clean Current designs, patents, licenses and improves technologies that convert kinetic energy from water currents (tidal, ocean and river) into electricity. With the analysis tools available from ANSYS, the company has cut the design cycle in half while increasing the accuracy of performance predictions.

Engineers run conceptual designs through ANSYS CFX and ANSYS Maxwell 2D to generate power and efficiency data. The team uses ANSYS DesignModeler in parallel to modify geometry for increased control when building an efficient mesh for structural analyses. Finally, the non-uniform pressures generated in ANSYS CFX are then mapped onto the structural model for the most accurate representation of in-stream loading.

The process has eliminated the need for interpretation and simplification of CFD results for structural analysis. The reduced analysis cycle time allows the team to study more variables. The result is an increased understanding and optimization of critical design parameters (like flow misalignment) prior to kicking off production of the first unit.
 

Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University

The Centre for Sports Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam University worked with Badminton England, a sports national governing body, to understand the specific flow field differences between traditional goose feather shuttlecocks and synthetic versions. Simulation with ANSYS Fluent revealed the influence of individual feathers, which would not have been attainable by other means.

ANSYS Fluent visualized the invisible world of fluid dynamics in everyday sports. The shuttlecock data has been used to engage the public in ways not possible by a conventional discussion of science. As part of an Art-Sport-Science initiative, working with a local artist, we created a short art film on the flight of a shuttlecock incorporating animations of the flow structure seen in the simulation image. This film was showcased at the 2011 World Badminton Championships, held 8th-14th August at Wembley Arena, London, and shown daily on the arena big screen. These simulations results have secured a new commercial contact with a major international sports company in the field of badminton.
 

ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems

ThyssenKrupp used ANSYS software to simulate the drive system of a passenger boarding bridge (also called bogie). The bridge is support more than 50 tons of the structure; it also allows forward, backward and lateral movements needed to dock the aircraft.

Using ANSYS DesignModeler, the engineering team reproduced stiffness and other behaviors of a very complicated component, defining many load cases and taking nonlinear simulation into account (material and contacts). Many iterations were completed rapidly because of the interaction between DesignModeler and structural mechanics software, which led to optimizing component cost reducing time to market. The bridge is currently in use.
 

Software used:

ANSYS Workbench
ANSYS DesignModeler
ANSYS Meshing
ANSYS Professional
ANSYS HPC
ANSYS Maxwell
ANSYS CFX
ANSYS CFD-Post

Software used:

ANSYS Fluent

Software used:

ANSYS Workbench
Structural Mechanics