- Thread starter Brit1275
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Brit1275
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This lab looked into the application of actuators and sensors together in a circuit, to actually do something. All previous labs have consisted of measuring values given certain conditions. However, in the real world of aerospace, these measurements must be used to control physical properties. These may include anything from control surfaces, to heaters, to cooling systems, airplane cabin pressure, etc. A comparator can be used as a crude controller, by simply comparing a sensor voltage – whatever you are measuring – with a voltage specified corresponding to what state you want the system to be at (in the case of this lab, controlling the temperature of an aluminum block). However, a comparator has a finite accuracy and sensitivity, and so will over shoot the wanted state. Also, when coming back down, it will undershoot before turning your system back on.
Another option is to use a PID controller, implemented on the lab computer. This takes a digital signal, and uses effective integration and differentiation to increase the accuracy of the system. With this setup, the temperature was able to be held within 1/100 of a degree Fahrenheit. This is a remarkable accuracy, and more than adequate for many real-world applications. This could also be used in any other system, as long as the initial measurement produced a voltage (pressure, temperature, etc).
The heater used in this lab was very slow. It took approximately 10 minutes for the block to heat up to the set temperature. This property may have been a source for error in the lab, however most of the results are very close to the predicted theoretical values.
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Dont worry, its a controlled slide.
Another option is to use a PID controller, implemented on the lab computer. This takes a digital signal, and uses effective integration and differentiation to increase the accuracy of the system. With this setup, the temperature was able to be held within 1/100 of a degree Fahrenheit. This is a remarkable accuracy, and more than adequate for many real-world applications. This could also be used in any other system, as long as the initial measurement produced a voltage (pressure, temperature, etc).
The heater used in this lab was very slow. It took approximately 10 minutes for the block to heat up to the set temperature. This property may have been a source for error in the lab, however most of the results are very close to the predicted theoretical values.
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Dont worry, its a controlled slide.