AMEM 326

- Basic Elements of Control

Systems -

Lecturer: Dr. Sotiris Omirou

FREDERICK UNIVERSITY CYPRUS

Basic Elements of an open-loop system

controller

Control Correction Process

element element
input output

signal expected controlled

to produce variable
required output

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 Example (1) of an open-loop system

An electric fire used to heat a room

Controlled variable: room temperature

Control element: the operator
Correction element: the switch and the fire
Process: the room

Example (2) of an open-loop system

Identify the subsystems in an open-loop controlled

speed motor

Controlled variable: motor speed

Control element: the operator
Correction element: the switch
Process: the motor

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 Basic Elements of a closed-loop system

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
+ element element
-
error signal
measurement
feedback element

comparison element

Comparison element
Compares the reference value with the measured value
and produces an error signal
Error = reference – measured value

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
+ element element
-
error signal
measurement
feedback element

comparison element

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 Control element
This element decides what action to take when it
receives an error signal

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
+ element element
-
error signal
measurement
feedback element

comparison element

Correction element
This element is used to produce a change in the process
to remove the error and is often called an actuator

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
+ element element
-
error signal
measurement
feedback element

comparison element

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 Process element
The process or plant is the system of which a variable is
being controlled

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
+ element element
-
error signal
measurement
feedback element

comparison element

Measurement element
This produces a signal related to the variable being
controlled and provides the signal fed back to the
comparison element to determine if there is an error

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
+ element element
-
error signal
measurement
feedback element

comparison element

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 Feedback
The feedback can be either positive or negative:
Error signal = reference value + feedback
Error signal = reference value - feedback

controller output
input
reference value controlled
variable
Control Correction Process
element element
+
_ error signal
measurement
element
feedback
comparison element

Example (1) of a closed-loop system

An electric fire used to heat a room with a thermo-
meter indicating the current room temperature

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 Example (1) of a closed-loop system (cont…)

Controlled variable: the room temperature

Reference value: the required room temperature
Comparison element: the operator
Error signal: the difference between measured and
required temperature

Control element: the operator

Correction element: the hand of the operator
Process: the room
Measuring device: the thermometer

Example (2) of a closed-loop system

The automatic control of water level in a tank

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 Example (2) of a closed-loop system (cont…)

Controlled variable: Water level in tank

Reference value: Initial setting of lever position
Comparison element: the lever
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
initial setting of the lever positions

Control element: the pivoted lever

Correction element: the flap opening or closing
the water supply
Process: water in the tank
Measuring device: the floating ball and lever

Example (4) of a closed-loop system

Driving a car

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 Example (4) of a closed-loop system (cont…)

Control of direction

Controlled variable:direction of the car along the road

Reference value: the required direction along the road
Comparison element: the driver
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
required directions

Control element: the driver

Correction element: the hands on the steering wheel
Process: the vehicle dynamics
Measuring device: visual observation

Example (4) of a closed-loop system (cont…)

Control of speed

Controlled variable:speed of the car along the road

Reference value: the required speed along the road
Comparison element: the driver
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
required speeds

Control element: the driver

Correction element: the foot on the pedals
Process: the vehicle dynamics
Measuring device: visual observation

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 Example (5) of a closed-loop system

Maintenance of the liquid level in a container

Example (5) of a closed-loop system (cont…)

Controlled variable: level of liquid in the tank

Reference value: the required level
Comparison element: the workman
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
required levels

Control element: the workman

Correction element: the valve
Process: the water in the container
Measuring device: visual observation of the
gauge glass

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