Construction of Control System
Contents
Control System 1 – Washing Machine
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
Control System 3 – Cruise Control
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
Input Process Output (IPO Chart)
Introduction
During this period of work, 10 Engineering 2’s main focus will be building and operating a control system, (in the form of a robot.) Once the robot is constructed, each class member will be expected to learn how to efficiently control the system and complete certain tasks asked of them. This will be accompanied by a report that every student will complete, detailing the development of the project and a summary of the research they completed.
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The purpose of this project is to give the students an idea on how control systems work, and how to construct one. This piece of knowledge will allow the students to think in new ways. The report that the students will complete allow the engineers to review their projects clearly and keep an organised archive of how the product is produced and reaches its end point.
The scope of the report contains three main parts, (research, an Input Process Output chart and a conclusion revolving around the design choice.) These tasks have been assigned to the students to allow them to gain a thorough understanding of essential knowledge needed to build the control system and how it works.
One of the pieces of subjects that 10 Engineering 2 students will be researching is the history of control systems and how they have developed over time. By completing and learning about the history, the students will see how innovation is key to success, and witness how modern technology has slowly come about. Certain topics such as the types of control systems, how control systems are implemented into contemporary technology and how control systems are being improved on today are expected to have been researched extensively. In addition to this, the students are expected to learn details surrounding the history of control systems, such as the first control system being developed in Ancient Egypt, open-loop systems evolving into closed-loop systems in the 17th century and the 1980’s use of control systems in higher technologies like satellites and aircraft.
The plan of development is to build the robot in the space of two weeks. The students will be able to build the robot through following the instructions given, using their own knowledge and also intuition as an engineer. Once the robot is complete, time will be allocated to allow them to practice completing the activities needed. While this is happening, the report is expected to be also being completed, allowing the students to gain knowledge at a rapid pace, and utilise what they learn in the construction of robot.
It is important to note that restrictions have been put in place, such as the groups being chosen by the teachers, safety must be maintained at all times and equipment must protect the equipment entrusted to them.
By the end of the time period, the group must have built a robot, completed the tasks given to them and deliver the engineering report that they have developed over the time frame.
Research
Control System 1 – Washing Machine
History
Although a common domestic device, the washing machine has undergone several key developments during its history. The original washing machines began to appear in the late 17th hundred. The design was quickly patented, with further innovations such as a rotating drum being patented as well.
Other crucial improvements include grooves to simulate scrubbing and the idea of a powered washing machine, (introduced and patented in in 1862,) to eradicate the now out-dated hand-powered machines.
Eventually, electric washing machines were introduced by an unknown innovator, and increased the effectiveness of machine substantially. In the modern era of civilisation, countless innovations have allowed for an enhanced product to storm the market.
Who Produces the System
Due to the nature of an aged product, many companies are now able to produce their own washing machines for sale to the general public. Notable brands include LG, Samsung and Hitachi. Each company is able to put their own spin on the system, and how it operates.
What Forms Does It Take?
The large majority of washing machines take the form of a small box made of metal, (normally steel.) Within this device, key components such as water hoses and supplies, a drum, an agitator, pumps and a motor.
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
The control system operators on a open-looped system, resulting in a simple method of operation. The user puts in clothes that need washing, adds washing detergent and selects a washing setting. This will lead to a designated time in which water mixed with detergent in pumped into the drum as it spins, allowing for the clothes to be cleaned.
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
Washing machines allow for clean clothes, allowing for various working environments ranging from offices to construction sites to be filled with workers in adequate equipment, increasing the rate and quality of work.
Control System 2 – Thermostat
History
The thermostat is much older than most other feedback-controlled devices and is widely recognised as one the of first instruments to use feedback to control the function of it.
The first thermostat was is thought to have been constructed in 1620 CE England, by Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel. He utilised the properties of mercury to measure the temperature of a chicken incubator.
Despite the early creation, the first modern thermostats were developed in the early 19th century, by Andrew Ure. He used a bi-metallic thermostat which bends as it gets hotter, indicating the temperature to the reader. Albert Butz would later improve both of the early inventions and construct an electric thermostat in 1886.
The early versions of the thermostats would later have heating and cooling systems added to them, increasing the potential for their ability.
Who Produces the System
The thermostats are produced by companies associated with home technology. This can include companies such as Mitsubishi, Panasonic and LG.
What Forms Does It Take?
Although there are many companies that make thermostats, the standard form is a small panel where the user can control the temperature of the room. This panel connects to a heating and cooling unit that allows for the temperature change.
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
In order to accomplish the task it was designed to, the thermostat utilises the effects of two machines, an air conditioner and a heating unit. Through an closed-looped control system, the thermostat measures the current temperature of the room, and activates either the air conditioner or heating unit to adjust the temperature to the desired climate that the user selected.
Once selected temperature has become the room temperature of the designated area, the thermostat will continue to measure the temperature to ensure that the preferred condition is maintained, and if it changes, then the loop is recompleted to accomplish the temperature selected.
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
Thermostats are used in production environments to ensure that desired temperatures are reached. This results in several situations that thermostats are useful in. Environments such as chicken coops, deli’s and laboratories heavily depend on the temperature that surround the work that is conducted, but other situations such as offices and schools are able to benefit from the effects of thermostats as particular temperatures can increase work efficiency.
Control System 3 – Cruise Control
History
Cruise control or speed control was implemented into vehicles during the dawn of the 20th century. This was mainly executed by the Wilson-Pilcher and Peerless company. It boasted the ability to maintain a selected speed in any environment.
Ralph Teetor would later improve on the concept and construct what is known in contemporary times as the modern cruise control. It was assembled into the dashboard and abused the mechanics of an electric motor and screw drive to keep speed constant.
The system would go through a large number of advancements as events such as the 1973 oil crisis would bolster the popularity of the device and increase the demand, allowing for vehicles other than cars to use cruise control, (such as planes, trucks, bikes etc.)
Who Produces the System
Due to the idea of cruise control not being patented anymore, the large majority of car manufactures offer the addition feature of cruise control. It is estimated that 64% of operating cars have the ability of automatically controlling speed.
What Forms Does It Take?
The control system often takes the form of small buttons on the steering wheel or a plastic stick extruding from the steering wheel. Both options allow for the user to customise the speed they are going at as well as toggle the system on/off.
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
Cruise control works through a closed loop system. The driver inputs the desired speed, and the system utilises various valves and actuators to impose the speed restrictions. Once this has been completed, the system measures the speed of the vehicle again, through the throttle position sensor and the loop begins again, adjusting to achieve the speed inputted or taking the necessary measures to keep the vehicle at the demanded speed.
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
The ability to control speed is essential in many production environments that require large amounts of travel. Cruise control allows for the operators to control their vehicles speed, allowing for operations such as delivery much easier to complete as well as predict the time of arrival.
Furthermore, due to the additional efficiency added to the average driver’s ability to travel, the capability to work is indirectly increased through the reduction of mental and physical stress and the added
time produced through driving to work faster.
Control System 4 – Auto Pilot
History
As a result of aeroplanes going on longer flights as the potential of the designs and engines increased, the pilots could not handle the constant attention required to fly aeroplanes.
Sperry Corporation constructed the world’s first auto pilot in 1912, and took the form of a gyroscopic heading indicator and altitude indicator that instructed the elevators and rudders of the plane that it was connected too. This would later be improved upon by Sperry Corporation after the Great War in conjunction with the US Army.
With the technological advancements that were made up until the today’s era, auto pilot was able to increase the range and effectiveness of it through the abuse of computers, new mathematical theorems and concepts proposed by a variety of designers.
Who Produces the System
As a result of the patent for auto pilot ending, and the design ending up in the public domain, many aircraft construction companies such as Boeing Business Jets, Dassault Falcon and Airbus.
What Forms Does It Take?
Auto Pilot takes the form of a panel with numerous knobs and screens, allowing for the pilot to view statistics relevant to flying the vehicle and also giving the user the ability to input heights and speeds they require/wish for.
How Does the Control System Perform Its Task?
The control system of Auto Pilot is run through a closed-loop system. The pilots using the system input desired statistics, (such as height, speed and location,) which is then processed into the control system. The device controls the engines, rotors and other essential parts of the plane to achieve the inputted data and then uses a variety of sensors to measure them. If the results are not satisfactory, the system is looped through again, and further adjustments are made. Once the plane reaches adequate stats, the system constantly checks the data at regular intervals to ensure that it remains there and begins to travel to the destination previously selected.
How Does the Control System Assist in Production Environments?
Auto pilots assist in production environments by allowing pilots to fly longer trips using less effort and work. This allows the pilots to continue to fly at a steady rate and also complete actions such as landing easier.
Input Process Output (IPO Chart)
Washing Machine IPO Chart
|
Input |
Process |
Output |
|
Dirty clothes. Laundry detergent. Setting, (amount of time washed, heat and speed.) Button is pushed to turn on washing machine. |
Water valves open to allow water into the drum. Thermometer measures the temperature of water and adjusts to correct temperature, (depending on setting.) The drum rotates in a circular motion. A second valve is opened to drain water. First valve opens to rinse the clothes. Drum rotates at a high speed to drain water from clothes and dry them. |
Clean clothes. Sewage made of a mix of water, detergent and dirt. |
Thermostat IPO Chart
|
Input |
Process |
Output |
|
Desired temperature for the area. Button is pushed to turn on thermostat. |
Electrical circuit activates and reads current temperature. System uses the cooling device, (air conditioner,) or heating device, (heater,) to change the temperature of the environment to the requested one. System activates thermometer again to check the temperature is at the correct level. |
The room is cooled or heated to a temperature that has been inputted. |
Cruise Control IPO Chart
|
Input |
Process |
Output |
|
Desired speed for the vehicle to travel at through a constant rate. Lever is pulled to turn on cruise control. |
Speed sensor activates to measure the current speed of the vehicle. Throttle control is used to slow down or speed up the vehicle. Speed sensor is reactivated to measure the speed of the vehicle. |
The vehicle travels at a constant rate set by the user. |
Auto-Pilot IPO Chart
|
Input |
Process |
Output |
|
Pilot inputs the speed and height they wish to travel at and the destination. Button is pushed to turn on auto pilot. |
Sensors used to measure current speed/height to travel to the area selected. Engines, rotors, rudder, flaps, slats etc. adjusted to adjust speed and height. Sensors used to measure the plane, ensuring that desired speed/height has been met. |
The plane travels at a constant rate to the location selected. |
Bibliography
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