SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

SURNAME GIVEN NAME M.I. SCHOOL YEAR:

SEMESTER:

TIME DAYS ROOM COURSE:

YEAR/SECTION:

MCE17 – CONTROL ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

(For SLSU M.E Use Only)

Prepared by:
GILBERT R. ESQUILLO, PME

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 SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is intended to have an introduction to linear control

systems, Modelling of physical systems, Feedback control systems, and
Stability of control systems.

OBJECTIVES

The students should be able to:

1. Discuss the basic concepts and operating principles of feedback
control systems.
2. Explain the dynamic modelling of mechanical, electrical, electro-
mechanical, fluid and thermodynamic System in relation to
control.
3. Create and use models of physical systems suitable for use in the
analysis and design of control systems.
4. Determine the time and frequency-domain responses of first and
second-order systems to impulse, step, ramp, and sinusoidal
inputs.
5. Apply the concepts of control engineering to a project.

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 SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

Module 1
Introduction to Control System

INTRODUCTION
Control Systems is an interdisciplinary topic involving all different
types of engineering and it has applications everywhere, from small
electronic circuits to a big industrial robot. Even our own body is a
very good example of a control system. How? We shall see!

In this set module, we shall start with the basic principles in

control systems and gradually work out the control concepts of
practical systems through analyzing their responses.

OBJECTIVE
After completing this module, you should be able to determine the
difference between open-loop control system and a closed-loop control
system.

DISCUSSION

What are Control Systems?

Before we find out what control systems are, let’s first understand
what is meant by a system. A system is a collection of things that
are put together with the intention to perform a specific task. When
we excite a system with an input, we get a certain response. A
resistor, a capacitor, an air conditioner, an automobile are some
examples of systems. Sometimes a system is referred to as a
“plant.”

A control system is a mechanism that directs the input it receives

through the systems and regulates their output.

The above figure shows the block diagram of a control system. A

control system alters the response of a plant or a system as desired.
For example, assume we have a system that will be controlled, let’s
say a motor whose position is to be controlled. We employ a
servomechanism here, which is the control system (or the controller),

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 SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

which gives a certain

control input to the motor on how much to rotate. The end goal is for
the entire system (the system and the controller) to perform the
desired objective.

Now say we need to cook a potato in a traditional microwave, the

process would look like something below:

Now, the potato being cooked depends on a lot of factors like the
size of the potato, its freshness, etc. Simply setting a fixed time
in the timer doesn’t ensure that the potato is cooked. So, what do
we do?

We’ll now add a sensor/an instrument that senses if the potato is

cooked. Let’s call it a “cookometer”. This will make the microwave
smarter. Now the process should look like something below:

Here, if the potato is not fully cooked, the cookometer will add up
extra cooking time and make sure the potato is fully cooked.

Open Loop Control System

A Control System which doesn’t have any feedback connected to it is

called as Open Loop System. These types of systems don’t depend upon
its output i.e., in open loop systems, output is not used as a
control variable for the system and it has no effect on the input.

Open loop systems are one way signal flow systems. As these systems
doesn’t contain any feedback i.e., the output is not fed back to the
input, these are also known as Non-Feedback Systems.

The following image shows a simple block diagram of an Open Loop

System.

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 SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

In an open loop system, the output can be adjusted / varied by

varying the input but the output has no effect on the input. The
output of the open loop system can be determined only by its present
state input. If the output is affected due to some external noise /
disturbance, the open loop system cannot correct it.

Also, there is no chance to correct the transition errors in open

loop systems so there is more chance to occur errors.
Advantages
 Low cost is a priority; open-loop control is inexpensive.
 An output changes rarely or not at all, for example, certain
cooling pumps.
 No quantitative measurement is possible, as with an
inaccessible process.
 An erratic process such as a sticking valve or erratic sensor.
 Process disturbances are extremely rare

Disadvantages
 The bandwidth of open loop control system is less.
 The non-feedback system doesn’t facilitate the process of
automation.
 Open loop systems are inaccurate in nature and also unreliable.
 If their output is affected by some external disturbances,
there is no way to correct them automatically as these are non-
feedback systems

Closed Loop Control System

A closed loop control system is a mechanical or electronic device

that automatically regulates a system to maintain a desired state or
set point without human interaction. It uses a feedback system or
sensor. Closed loop control is contrasted with open loop control,
where there is no self-regulating mechanism and human interaction is
typically required.

A simple example of a closed loop control system is a home

thermostat. The thermostat can send a signal to the heater to turn it
on or off. It uses a temperature sensor to detect the current air
temperature. When the temperature is below the set point, it turns

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 SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

the heater on. When

the sensor detects the temperature is above the set point, it turns
the system off.

Most modern closed loop systems are electronically controlled. These

may use discrete analog electronic comparators for simple systems,
such as an oven thermostat. More complicated systems use a
microcontroller or programable logic controller to take several
inputs and to control multiple outputs. A complex system example
would be a building heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
in a data center that can use sensors for inside air temperature,
outside air temperature and relative humidity to control the
operation of a heater and AC. Another complex example is computer
room air handlers (CRAHs) in data centers that dissipate heat
produced by equipment using fans, cooling coils and a water chiller
system.

Example of Close Loop Controller

Advantages
 can control for external factors
 more reliable and stable output
 resilient to disturbances and changes
 more resource-efficient

Disadvantages
 more complex
 requires tuning or integration
 susceptible to oscillation or runaway conditions
 sensor failure can cause unwanted system performance

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 SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUCBAN, QUEZON

Name: ______________________________ Date: ___________

(Surname, Firstname, M.I)
Subject: ___________________________ Section: ________

SKILL-ASSESSMENT EXERCISES 1.1

State whether the following is an Open Loop System (OLS) or Close

Loop System (CLS).

___________1. Washing Machine

___________2. Electric Bulb
___________3. Electric Hand Drier
___________4. Time based Bread Toaster
___________5. Automatic Water Faucet
___________6. TV Remote Control
___________7. Electric Clothes Drier
___________8. Shades or Blinds on a window
___________9. Stepper Motor or Servo Motor
___________10. Inkjet Printers
___________11. Door Lock System
___________12. Traffic Control System
___________13. Voltage Stabilizer
___________14. Thermostat Heater
___________15. Modern Air Conditioner
___________16. Induction Cooker
___________17. Electric Iron
___________18. Water Level Controller
___________19. Automatic Street Light
___________20. Smoke Detection System
___________21. Automatic Toaster
___________22. Motor Speed Controller
___________23. Industrial Refrigerators
___________24. Servo Motor
___________25. Sunseeker solar system