preCICE Coupling for the Final Phase Simulator
The Final Phase Simulator (FiPS) is used within ArianeGroup for high fidelity coupled simulations of spacecraft. Through the coupling of CFD, rigid body dynamics, and thermodynamics a simulation environment is created in which flight controllers are tested in a closed loop manner. To date FiPS has relied on a staggered and weakly coupled approach for most industrial applications, and has further relied on bespoke coupled solutions.
Under the EFFEKT project, part-funded by the DLR, ArianeGroup is piloting preCICE, for industrial applications, as a potential ‘core’ coupling engine within FiPS allowing more advanced coupling techniques to be used. This project seeks to demonstrate parity for industrial hydraulic simulations of multiple propellant tanks coupled to a rigid body model. Under induced loading conditions, propellant slosh prediction will be investigated and compared with existing data and reference solutions. Additionally, it is an objective to demonstrate a more modular approach to simulation environment construction via the ‘swapping out’ of CFD codes for slosh prediction.
To demonstrate industrial viability, a coupled system, using modified commercial CFD codes and an in-house rigid body solver, was used to simulate flight phases of the Upper Stage Liquid Propulsion (ULPM) of Ariane 6. The hydro-dynamic solution demonstrated accurate results when compared with the current benchmarks as well as good stability and robustness. Further work is expected to mature and explain the industrial coupling applicability with preCICE.
Pictured: A6 ULPM LH2 (top) and LOX (bottom) propellant motion during a FiPS-preCICE coupled simulation.
