Dynamical Analysis of Hydraulic Chain Tensioners - Experiment and Simulation

In this work, a dynamical analysis of hydraulic chain tensioners combining experiments and simulation is presented. The focus lies on the development of precise simulation models for this particular timing drive component so as to improve the quality and the efficiency of the entire chain drive simulation or to design new tensioners. Firstly, an experimental test setup to analyze the dynamical behavior of the tensioner is introduced. Secondly, a modular simulation framework for hydraulic tensioning system is shown. Besides common models (e.g. for hydraulic nodes, leakage, check valves), a new approach to reproduce complex geometries is discussed. It is based on detailed CFD-simulations which are mapped onto a highly efficient formulation which allows to use it in fast timing drive simulations. Thirdly, a comparison between simulation results and measured data is exemplarily shown for a complex hydraulic chain tensioner.