Vehicular liquid container design and manufacture

An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

• generate a computer geometric model of a liquid container according to a design of the liquid container, wherein the liquid container includes a plurality of components affixed thereon, and the apparatus being caused to generate the computer geometric model of the liquid container includes being caused to:
• generate a first computer geometric model of the liquid container without the plurality of components affixed to the liquid container;
• generate a plurality of second computer geometric models of the plurality of components that are separate from the first computer geometric model;
• and
• integrate the first computer geometric model and the plurality of second computer geometric models to generate the computer geometric model of the liquid container with the plurality of components affixed to the liquid container;
• generate executable code to reproduce dynamics and operational parameters of the vehicle, the dynamics of the vehicle including dynamics during a vehicle maneuver that is selectable from a database of vehicle dynamics for a plurality of vehicle maneuvers;
• execute a simulating application, via the processor configured to access the computer geometric model and the executable code, to at least:
• perform a simulation of liquid sloshing in the liquid container onboard the vehicle subject to the dynamics and operational parameters, including the dynamics during a selected one or more of the plurality of vehicle maneuvers, and produce a prediction of loads and stresses on the liquid container from the simulation, the prediction having an associated prediction error;
• and
• iterate the simulation to reduce the associated prediction error and thereby refine the prediction of loads and stresses on the liquid container, the prediction of loads and stresses based at least in part on force data associated with a pressure and a velocity flow field induced by the liquid sloshing in the liquid container and throughout an interior of the liquid container;
• identify respective locations within the liquid container that are more vulnerable to fatigue-risk based on the prediction of loads and stresses on the liquid container;
• and
• output the respective locations and the prediction of stresses on the liquid container at least at the respective locations, including in at least one instance, an indication of certification of the design of the liquid container based thereon.

A computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitory and has computer-readable program code portions stored therein that in response to execution by a processor, cause an apparatus to at least:

• generate a computer geometric model of a liquid container according to a design of the liquid container, wherein the liquid container includes a plurality of components affixed thereon, and the apparatus being caused to generate the computer geometric model of the liquid container includes being caused to:
• generate a first computer geometric model of the liquid container without the plurality of components affixed to the liquid container;
• generate a plurality of second computer geometric models of the plurality of components that are separate from the first computer geometric model;
• and
• integrate the first computer geometric model and the plurality of second computer geometric models to generate the computer geometric model of the liquid container with the plurality of components affixed to the liquid container;
• generate executable code to reproduce dynamics and operational parameters of the vehicle, the dynamics of the vehicle including dynamics during a vehicle maneuver that is selectable from a database of vehicle dynamics for a plurality of vehicle maneuvers;
• execute a simulating application, via the processor configured to access the computer geometric model and the executable code, to at least:
• perform a simulation of liquid sloshing in the liquid container onboard the vehicle subject to the dynamics and operational parameters, including the dynamics during a selected one or more of the plurality of vehicle maneuvers, and produce a prediction of loads and stresses on the liquid container from the simulation, the prediction having an associated prediction error;
• and
• iterate the simulation to reduce the associated prediction error and thereby refine the prediction of loads and stresses on the liquid container, the prediction of loads and stresses based at least in part on force data associated with a pressure and a velocity flow field induced by the liquid sloshing in the liquid container and throughout an interior of the liquid container;
• identify respective locations within the liquid container that are more vulnerable to fatigue-risk based on the prediction of loads and stresses on the liquid container;
• and
• output the respective locations and the prediction of stresses on the liquid container at least at the respective locations, including in at least one instance, an indication of certification of the design of the liquid container based thereon.