Faculty of Engineering

Computer and Systems Engineering Department

CSE 371: Control Engineering
Sheet 1: Introduction to Control Engineering

1. Many closed-loop and open-loop control systems may be found at home. List several
examples and describe them.

2. Give two examples in which a human acts as a feedback control system.

3. In the past, control systems used a human operator as part of a closed-loop control system.
Sketch the block diagram of the valve control system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Flow control system

4. The accurate control of a nuclear reactor is important for power system generators. Assuming
the number of neutrons present is proportional to the power level, an ionization chamber is
used to measure the power level. The current io is proportional to the power level. The position
of the graphite control rods moderates the power level. Complete the control system of the
nuclear reactor shown in Figure 2. And sketch the block diagram describing the operation of
the feedback control loop.

Figure 2. Nuclear reactor control

5. A light-seeking control system used to track the sun is shown in Figure 3. The output shaft is
driven by the motor through a worm reduction gear, has a bracket attached on which are
mounted two photocells. Complete the closed loop system so that the system follows the light
source.

Figure 3. Sun tracking system

6. Consider the inverted pendulum in Figure 4. Sketch the block diagram of a feedback control
system to maintain the pendulum in upward position (=0).

Figure 4. Inverted pendulum control

7. A position control system converts a position input command to a position output response.
Position control finds widespread applications in antennas, robot arms, and computer disk
drives. The radio telescope antenna in Figure 5. is one example. The purpose of this system is
to have the azimuth angle output follow the input angle. The input command is an angular
displacement. The potentiometer converts the angular displacement into a voltage. Similarly,
the output angular displacement is converted to a voltage by the potentiometer in the feedback
path. The signal and power amplifiers boost the difference between the input and output
voltages. This amplified actuating signal drives the plant. The system operates to drive the
error to zero when the input and the output match, the error will be zero and the motor will not
run. Sketch the block diagram describing the operation of the feedback control loop.

Figure 5. Position control system