Automated Void Space Detection in CAD Geometries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for defining and manipulating void spaces in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are manual, time-consuming, and alter the original CAD geometry, leading to invalidation of simulation results and requiring re-definition for each simulation experiment.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system automatically detects and manipulates void spaces without modifying the CAD geometry, using virtual geometries to identify and discretize void regions, allowing for efficient simulation without altering the original CAD representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual techniques are used to define and manipulate void spaces, then the void space can be identified and discretized, but the process is time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic void space identification and manipulation without requiring manual user intervention. The computer system autonomously detects void spaces, generates virtual geometries, and discretizes the geometry, replacing the tedious manual process with an automated self-service mechanism that significantly improves productivity and eliminates time loss associated with manual operations.
2Ease of operation
If the original CAD geometry is modified to manipulate void space, then the void space can be controlled and restricted, but the CAD geometry becomes permanently changed and invalidates other simulations
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces virtual geometries as intermediary objects that act as mediators between the user and the original CAD geometry. These virtual geometries are temporary, simulation-specific constructs that enable void space manipulation and control without permanently modifying the source CAD model. The virtual geometries allow users to restrict and manipulate void spaces while preserving the integrity and validity of the original CAD geometry for other simulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual geometry copies that represent the void space regions without altering the original CAD geometry. These virtual copies serve as working representations that can be manipulated, restricted, and discretized independently. By working with these copied virtual geometries rather than the original CAD model, the system enables flexible void space control while maintaining the reliability and validity of the source CAD geometry across multiple simulations.
3Measurement precision
If enclosing surfaces are explicitly picked to define void space, then the void space can be identified, but the description becomes invalid when void space is re-manipulated
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a dynamic approach where virtual geometries are automatically regenerated and updated when void spaces are re-manipulated. Instead of relying on static enclosing surface selections that become invalid, the system dynamically detects the new void space configuration and creates corresponding virtual geometries. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the void space definition remains accurate and valid even after re-manipulation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and adapts to void space re-manipulation without requiring user re-definition. When virtual geometries or void space boundaries are modified, the system self-updates the void space identification by重新 detecting the void regions and regenerating the appropriate virtual geometries. This self-service mechanism maintains measurement precision while providing adaptability to changes, eliminating the need for manual re-description of void spaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If CAD geometry is changed for each simulation experiment, then the void space can be optimized for specific simulations, but manual re-definition is required for every experiment
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simulation-specific virtual geometry copies that are tailored to each simulation experiment's requirements. These virtual geometries are generated from the original CAD model but are customized for specific simulation needs, allowing optimization of void spaces for different experiments. The copying mechanism enables each simulation to have its own optimized virtual representation without requiring permanent changes to the source CAD or manual re-definition for every experiment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic detection and virtual geometry generation based on the simulation requirements. By anticipating the need for simulation-specific void space optimization, the system pre-generates appropriate virtual geometries before the simulation runs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual re-definition during each experiment, as the system is already prepared with optimized virtual representations ready for use.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are computer implemented techniques to select a single surface of a computer aided design (CAD) as a surface that shares a boundary with a void space that will be discretized, produce a virtual geometry item that is positioned within or about the void region to define the volume to be discretization and propagate a mesh within the defined volume by discretizing the CAD generated geometry by a discretization factor to find a first valid seed point within the CAD generated geometry that satisfies all virtual geometries taken together.