MAE 318: Sensors and Controls

Dr. Panagiotis K. Artemiadis

MAE 318: Sensors and Controls

Homework 1

Problem 1:
(Points: 20)

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 Fig. 1.

Figure 1: Fluid-ow control.

Problem 2:
(Points: 20)

Automatic control of water level using a oat level was used in the Middle East for a water clock. The water clock (shown in Fig. 2) was used until the 17th century. Discuss the operation of the water clock, and establish how the oat provides a feedback control that maintains the accuracy of the clock. Sketch a block diagram of the feedback system. Problem 3:
(Points: 20)

A variable resistor, called a potentiometer , is shown in Fig. 3. The resistance is varied by moving a wiper arm along a xed resistance. The resistance from A to C is xed, but the resistance from B to C varies with the position of the wiper arm. If it takes 10 turns to move the wiper arm from A to C, draw a block diagram of the potentiometer showing the input variable, the output variable, and (inside the block) the gain, which is a constant and is the amount by which the input is multiplied to obtain the output.

Arizona State University. Fall 2012. Class # 72306.

MAE 318. Homework 1: Page 1 of 2

MAE 318: Sensors and Controls

Dr. Panagiotis K. Artemiadis

Figure 2: Water clock.

Figure 3: Potentiometer.

Arizona State University. Fall 2012. Class # 72306.

MAE 318. Homework 1: Page 2 of 2