Exploiting Bond Graph Causality in Physical System Models

Abstract

Causality as a concept and a tool associated with bond graphs has seen use for more than twenty years. Our principal purpose in this paper is to bring together several different views and applications of causality in order to suggest how valuable it can be in understanding the dynamic structure of models. The topics considered include causality assignment, both traditional and nontraditional, and state equations; design assessment of models based on direct interpretation; and junction structure properties. The topics are illustrated by examples. Some opportunities for additional research into causality properties and applications are suggested.