Category: Control Systems
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Process Time Lags and Stability of Automatic Control Systems
Processes have the characteristics of delaying and retarding changes in the values of the process variables. Process time lags generally describe these process delays and retardations. Process time lags are caused by three properties of the process. They include: Capacitance is the ability of a process to store energy. This energy-storing ability gives the ability…
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What is the Controller?
A controller is a device that generates an output signal based on the input signal it receives. The input signal is actually an error signal, which is the difference between the measured variable, and the desired value, or setpoint. The input error signal represents the amount of deviation between where the process system is actually…
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The Operation of a Temperature Control System for lubricating oil
Lubricating oil reduces friction between moving parts and also removes heat from the components. As a result, the oil becomes hot. This heat is removed from the lubricating oil by a cooler to prevent both the breakdown of the oil and damage to the mechanical components it serves. The lubricating oil cooler consists of a…
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Feedback Control System
The basic elements of a feedback control system are represented by the block diagram below. The functional relationships between these elements are also shown in the diagram. The block diagram represents flow paths of control signals but do not represent the flow of energy through the system or process. The plant is the system or…
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Principles of Control Systems
A control system is a system of integrated elements whose function is to maintain a process variable at a desired value or within a desired range of values. The control system monitors a process variable or variables, and then causes some action to occur to maintain the desired system parameter. A good example in a…