AMEM 326

- Basic Elements of Control

Systems -

Lecturer: Dr. Sotiris Omirou

FREDERICK UNIVERSITY CYPRUS

Basic Elements of an open-loop system

controller

input

Control
element

signal expected
to produce
required output

Correction
element

Process
output
controlled
variable

Example (1) of an open-loop system

An electric fire used to heat a room

Controlled variable:
Control element:
Correction element:
Process:

room temperature
the operator
the switch and the fire
the room

Example (2) of an open-loop system

Identify the subsystems in an open-loop controlled
speed motor
Controlled variable:
Control element:
Correction element:
Process:

motor speed
the operator
the switch
the motor

Basic Elements of a closed-loop system

output

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value
Control
element

+
-

Correction
element

Process

error signal
measurement
element

feedback

comparison element

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

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value

+
-

Control
element

Correction
element

Process

error signal
feedback

measurement
element

comparison element

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

output

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value
Control
element

+
-

Correction
element

Process

error signal
measurement
element

feedback

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

output

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value

+
-

Control
element

Correction
element

Process

error signal
feedback

measurement
element

comparison element

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

output

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value
Control
element

+
-

Correction
element

Process

error signal
measurement
element

feedback

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
output

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value

+
-

Control
element

Correction
element

Process

error signal
feedback

measurement
element

comparison element

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

controller

input

controlled
variable

reference value

+
_

Control
element

Correction
element

Process

error signal

feedback

measurement
element

comparison element

Example (1) of a closed-loop system

An electric fire used to heat a room with a thermometer indicating the current room temperature

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

Controlled variable:

the room temperature

Reference value: the required room temperature

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

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

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

Controlled variable:

Water level in tank

Reference value: Initial setting of lever position

the lever
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
initial setting of the lever positions
Comparison element:

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

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

the driver
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
required directions
Comparison element:

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

the driver
Error signal: the difference between the actual and
required speeds
Comparison element:

Control element: the driver

Correction element: the foot on the pedals
Process:

the vehicle dynamics

Measuring device: visual observation

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

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

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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