ENGINE SPEED CONTROL APPARATUS
The CE107 Engine Speed Control Apparatus shows the problems of regulating the speed of rotating machines, especially problems with non-linear control systems. It is a scale-model engine, driven by compressed air (not supplied) for safety. The basic purpose is to adjust a motorised valve to regulate the engine speed under load. A d.c. generator connects to the engine output and loads the engine.
More advanced experiments show:
- Non-linearity compensation using dither signals
- Multiple loop and minor loop feedback
- System modelling from step response information
- P+I control and root locus methods
The engine dynamics are similar to those of a typical ignition compression engine coupled to a dynamometer-controlled test bed. It is an ideal physical model to help engineering students at all academic levels to gain invaluable practical experience.
Learning outcomes
- The use of dither signals in the compensation of system non-linearities
- The measurement of system dynamics from step response information
- Inner loop feedback compensation
- P+I controller design
