A Feature-Based Approach to Function Modeling and Reasoning for Thermal-Fluid Systems Engineering

Date
2020-08Author
Athinarayana Venkatanarasimhan, Lakshmi Narasimhon
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This research is focused on extending the language of function modeling by developing CAD-like
features that are built using primitive functions. These features are reusable units of functions that
represent the working principle of a system of higher level of abstraction than the ones of the
primitive functions published in prior literature. This approach can be used to also establish an
alternate concept/working principle that satisfies the same features, and thus enabling the
integration of function models into previously established concept generation programs. It is
expected that designers perceive concepts at different levels of abstractions. As a result, the feature-based approach will be of high significance when designers model a complex system since this
approach will allow traversing the abstraction levels of the concept within the same model. The
features that recur in complex systems are identified, formalized as vocabulary and grammar
within the language, and implemented in a software program with reasoning algorithms using a
set protocol. The implementation of this protocol is demonstrated in a particular domain, in this
case, thermal-fluid systems. The extension of the protocol is shown by modeling additional devices
that lie in the food-processing domain. The feature-based models developed will be used to provide
system-level support and reasoning, thereby extending the potential of the language. The change
in ease of modeling and model build time is tested using a preliminary test by modeling several
devices. The impact of this approach on the consistency of models will be tested with human subject
studies.