Fan & Plate Control Apparatus PP-200

An aerodynamic plant ... with some interesting dynamics

FEATURES

  • Compact, benchtop apparatus with small footprint (approx. 0.18m2)
  • Aerodynamic body with rich dynamics including time constants, transportation lag, resonant poles, deterministic and stochastic disturbance
  • Rotational angle of plate is controlled by blowing an air stream using a variable speed fan
  • Dynamics can be readily changed before or during a control experiment
  • Fan & Plate

    Theory of Operation

    Technical Specifications

    Applications

    Software Support on PC

    Application Notes

    Theory of Operation

    The apparatus is actually a resonant aerodynamic object: the control objective is the angular orientation of a hinged rectangular plate and the control means is by blowing an air stream at the plate with a variable speed fan.

    The fan is driven by a DC motor with pulse width modulation while the rotation angle of the plate is measured by means of a low-friction potentiometer. The fan and its motor is mounted on a slide; by varying the position of the fan relative to plate, the air transportation lag can be changed. Weights can be placed on the hinged plate before or during a control experiment. These weights change the dominant time constant of the system and also act as load disturbance. The air turbulence around the plate naturally provides the stochastic disturbance.

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    Technical Specifications

    Control input Fan voltage: 0-5Vdc
    Measurement Plate angle: 0.18V per degree or 28ohm per degree
    Power supply Voltage: 120Vac or 240Vac @ 50/60Hz
    Power: 50watts (max.)
    Operating conditions Normal: 15-25°C @ 45-90%RH
    Max. Limits: 5-30°C @ 30-90%RH
    Transportation & storage limits: 0-70°C @10-95%RH
    Dimensions Size: 450mmLx280mmDx650mmH
    Weight: 8kg (approx.)

    Specifications may subject to change without notice

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    Applications

    This pilot plant contains rich dynamics: fan motor time constant; air transportation lag; resonant poles (plate acting as pendulum); and, high disturbance level (air turbulence). It is also easy to change the dominant time constant and deadtime of the plant, making it a versatile pilot plant for studying the effects of parameter changes. Position and velocity control, in the presence of mechanical vibrations and poor damped dynamic modes, are important in design of aerospace vehicles. Similar dynamics are also accounted in certain chemical reactors.

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    Software Support on PC

  • A Template for Implementing Computer Control
  • Data Acquisition with a Pseudo Random Binary Sequence (PRBS) Input for System Modeling
  • PID Control
  • A set of experiments with explanatory notes and checklists for a 30 hour laboratory course on Computer Control, using the PP-200
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    Application Notes

  • FP200: Teaching with the Fan & Plate Control Apparatus
  • FP201: Dynamic Models for the Fan & Plate Control Apparatus
  • FP202: Experiments using the Fan & Plate Control Apparatus
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    The fan & plate control apparatus is reproduced under license from the National University of Singapore.

    Last Updated 22 November 2006

    All rights reserved. @1997-2006 KentRidge Instruments Pte Ltd.