Thermal Modeling in the Powertrain Analysis and Computational Environment (PACE)

Monroe, J. G., Doude, M., Haupt, T., Henley, G., Card, A., Mazzola, M., Goodin, C., & Shurin, S. (2017). Thermal Modeling in the Powertrain Analysis and Computational Environment (PACE). 2017 NDIA Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS). Detroit, MI.

Abstract

Ready for a High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment, the Powertrain Analysis and Computational Environment (PACE) is a forward-looking, C++ simulation tool that provides advanced behavioral modeling of the powertrain subsystem of a hybrid-electric or conventional vehicle. More specifically, PACE allows a power train simulation created in Matlab/Simulink to be ported into a high-performance cluster computing environment. Previously results with PACE involved advanced hardware and control features simulation of modern vehicle architectures, but it did not include comprehensive thermal modeling of power train components. Thus, a lumped-mass thermal model has been developed in Simulink separately from the original power train model used in PACE. The thermal model is integrated into PACE using PACE’s built-in automated code generation functionality and taking advantage of the PACE powertrain model’s modular structure. The integrated thermal model’s output data demonstrates accurate results as compared to the standalone thermal model developed in Simulink. This paper reports on the workflow and validation of a new capability added to PACE that allows third-party (meaning non-Autonomie derived) external models to be integrated into PACE.