At the MATLAB^® command prompt, enter ssc_new. MATLAB opens the Simscape model template. This template provides a starting point for your Simscape Fluids model. You will use blocks from both the Simscape Foundation and Simscape Fluids product libraries.

From the Simulation tab, click on the Library Browser. From the Simscape > Foundation Library > Isothermal Liquid > Utilities library, drag an Isothermal Liquid Properties (IL) block to the model canvas. Use this block to define the physical properties of the network fluid, including its density, viscosity, and bulk modulus. Use the Isothermal Liquid Predefined Properties (IL) block from the Fluids > Isothermal Liquid > Utilities library to select a fluid with these properties already defined.

Connect the Solver Configuration block to the Isothermal Liquid Properties (IL) block as shown in the figure. The Solver Configuration block provides Simscape solver settings for your model. See Setting Up Solvers for Physical Models for more information on solver selection.

Each topologically distinct physical network requires a solver block.

From the Simscape > Foundation Library, drag these blocks to the model canvas.

Alternatively, double-click on the model canvas and type the block name. Click on the block name in the drop-down list that appears to add the block to the canvas.

Specify the model configuration in each block dialog by double-clicking on the block icon:

A pressure source represents a constant-pressure pump. In the Pressure Source (IL) block dialog, set Source type to Constant. Input 10e5 Pa for Pressure differential.

A reservoir sets the environmental boundary conditions. In the Reservoir (IL) block, set Reservoir pressure specification to Specified pressure and Reservoir pressure to 0.2 MPa.

From the Simscape > Fluids library, drag these blocks to the model canvas.

The actuator converts the power generated by the pressure source into a translating force. The directional valve and valve actuator regulate the flow to the actuator.

Connect the blocks as shown in the figure. Note that the 3-Way Directional Valve (IL), Pressure Source (IL), and Pressure Relief Valve (IL) blocks are grounded by their connection to the Reservoir (IL) block.

Set the operating pressures of the Pressure Relief Valve (IL). In the Set pressure differential parameter, enter 50e5 Pa. This is the pressure at which the valve begins to open. In the Pressure regulation range parameter, which describes the operational range of the valve, enter 5e5 Pa. The relief valve maximum pressure is the sum of the set pressure and the regulation range.

In the 3-Way Directional Valve (IL) block dialog, on the P-A Orifice tab, set Spool position at maximum P-A orifice area to 0.01 m. This is the position of the valve spool when the P-A flow path is fully open. On the A-T Orifice tab, set Spool position at maximum A-T orifice area to 0 m.

The Spool travel between closed and open orifice parameter on the Model parameterization tab sets the distance over which both orifices open and close. At this value, both orifices are closed.

In the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block, set the Piston cross-sectional area to 0.001 m².

From the Simscape > Foundation Library > Mechanical > Translational Elements library, add a Mechanical Translational Reference block and connect it as shown in the figure.

This fixes the mechanical casing of the Single-Acting Actuator (IL), which is represented by port C. The actuator shaft, represented by port R, moves relative to this reference.

From the Simscape > Foundation Library > Mechanical > Translational Elements library, drag these blocks to the model canvas:

Connect the blocks as shown in the figure.

The mass, spring, and damper elements provide a basic model of a load with forcing, inertia, and damping.

From the Simulink > Sources library, drag a Sine Wave to the canvas. This represents a varying signal to the control system, which in turn regulates the flow received by the actuator.

From the Simscape > Utilities library, drag one PS-Simulink Converter block. To convert between Simscape physical signals, which are bidirectional, and Simulink signals, which are unidirectional, you will need to use a Simulink-PS Converter or PS-Simulink Converter block.

Connect the Sine Wave block, the Simulink-PS Converter block that is already on the canvas, and Multiposition Valve Actuator block in series, as shown in the figure.

In the Sine Wave block dialog, set the Amplitude parameter to 24. This value corresponds to the default nominal signal value of the Multiposition Valve Actuator block.

Drag a Scope block from the Simulink^® Sources library. The Scope block allows you to quickly inspect model results.

Connect the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block, a PS-Simulink Converter block, and a Scope block in series, as shown in the figure.

Connect the output side of the Multiposition Valve Actuator block, the other PS-Simulink Converter block, and a Scope block in series, as shown in the figure.

Port P of the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block outputs a physical signal of the actuator shaft position, relative to the Piston initial displacement.

The Multiposition Valve Actuator block outputs a physical signal of the valve opening distance, relative to the Initial position and the Push-pin stroke.

Click on any block in the model, for example the 3-Way Directional Valve (IL) block. In the Simscape Block tab, click Log Data and select Log all Simscape data. This enables you to explore the simulation variable values in the Results Explorer.

Click Run.

In the Debug tab, select Simscape > Variable Viewer. The Variable Viewer shows the initialization values and priorities of all of the model variables. You can set variable targets and priorities during initialization for blocks with a Variables tab in the block dialog. Verify that the status of all variables is green.

You can inspect simulation results in multiple ways. For a quick assessment of the model, use Scope blocks.

Double-click on the Scope block connected to the Multiposition Valve Actuator. This shows the valve spool position, which is set by the Multiposition Valve Actuator signal.

Zooming in, there is a small spike in the signal at the beginning of the second peak.

This can be resolved by limiting the size of the solver time step:

This configuration will be used the next time you run the model.

Double-click on the Scope block connected to the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block. The Scope plot shows the shaft position as a function of the pressure in the actuator chamber.

It appears that the actuator is not fully responding to the signal received from the control unit.

The environmental pressure is specified in three locations: in the Isothermal Liquid Properties (IL) block, in the Reservoir (IL) block, and in the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block. In the model, the Reservoir (IL) block is set to 0.2 MPa and the other two are set to 0.101 MPa. In the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block, set the Environment pressure specification to Specified pressure and set Environment pressure to 0.2 MPa.

Run the model.

Check the results with the Results Explorer by clicking on any block, such as the Multiposition Valve Actuator block, and selecting Results Explorer in the Simscape Block tab.

The Results Explorer shows every variable in the model, including internal variables, which cannot be reported by a Scope block. Click on the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) option in the left-hand pane. This shows a plot of the physical signal at port P, or the position of the actuator shaft. Click the plus next to the option to see the variables logged for the Single-Acting Actuator (IL) block.

The plot shows the shaft position for the last 3.5 seconds of the simulation. To see the shaft position over the entire simulation, turn data log limiting off: