Overcoming submarine design challenges

Submarines are one of the most complex machines on earth. Unlike other ships, they must perform on the surface as well as underwater, thus they require many integrated systems and parts. Simcenter™ Flomaster™ enables engineers to find the most effective solution for submarine design and system simulation to ensure safety and efficiency in the design and performance of complex fluid systems.

Challenges in submarine design

The complexity of submarines is the signature challenge of designing them. The fluid systems of modern submarines are integrated with nearly 3,000 valves and kilometers of pipeline. Additionally, there are many subsystems to consider such as cooling seawater, fuel cell, ballast, freeing and compensating, fuel oil, chilled water, weapon compensating, firefighting and others. The need for these many systems to work together flawlessly presents challenges in submarine design.

Complexity of submarine systems

Finding ways to manage the complexity of submarine systems is incredibly important. The complex networks at play require designers to set the necessary boundary conditions and track data on standards for different diameters, materials, pump curves, pressure drops of valves, flaps, and filters.

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Leveraging submarine simulation early on in the design process

Utilizing simulation in the submarine design process can help engineers in a variety of ways, including helping them find the best solution for a fluid or piping system layout quickly. Submarine simulation and an accompanying SQL database can allow many engineers to work in tandem on a project, improving the efficiency of the design spiral.