Coupled Drives Apparatus
A compact, bench-mounting apparatus designed to allow students at all academic levels to investigate basic and advanced principles of control including control of multi-variable systems.
Multivariable Coupled Tanks
Item Number:
CE105MV - Experiment
The Coupled Tanks Apparatus investigates basic and advanced control engineering principles. This includes the study of static and dynamic systems. It is also an ideal system to use with other control strategies such as fuzzy logic.
The CE105 shows fluid transport and liquid level control problems in process control.
The basic control problem is to regulate the liquid level in one of the tanks by varying the speed of the circulating pump. The user guide includes experiments that cover system modelling using static and transient measurements, steady-state error analysis, transient response studies and Ziegler/Nichols tuning methods.
Each tank has a level sensor that gives output signals proportional to the water level in each tank. A scale on each tank allows students to check the level-sensor calibration.
A variable-speed pump forces water into the left-hand tank. A valve connects this tank to a second tank, if needed, for two-tank experiments. A rotameter-type flow meter shows the flow rate. An electronic flow meter measures the flow rate.
The CE105MV Multivariable Coupled Tanks Apparatus gives extra experiments. It is similar to the CE105 but with a second pump and flow meter. This pump forces water into the right-hand tank and works independently of the other pump. This gives more advanced experiments into the principles of multivariable control (both pumps work together to give the correct levels in the two tanks simultaneously).
Standard FeaturesLearning OutcomesEssential Base Unit
Standard Features
- Self-contained and compact bench-mounting unit to show problems of speed control in non-linear systems
- Small-scale compressed air-powered piston engine to mimic a full-size engine with realistic results
- Front panel includes a mimic diagram of the process so students can see what they are controlling
- For basic and advanced experiments with speed control and non-linearity compensation
- All inputs and outputs buff ered for connection to TecQuipment’s optional controllers or other suitable
controllers
Learning Outcomes
The flexible design of the equipment allows the user to develop many other analysis and control exercises to suit their needs. It is good for extended or advanced control experiments, and is ideal for student project work.
- Calibration of transducer and actuator circuits
- System dynamics in process systems
- Design and operation of analogue proportional, proportional + integral, or proportional + integral + differential control controllers
- Steady-state errors and closed-loop transient responses
- Ziegler/Nichols controllers tuning rules
- Multivariable control
- Step-change tuning
- State feedback
- Flow control
Essential Base Unit
CONTROLLER
CE120 - Base Unit
A self-contained analogue and computer based controller designed to support practical investigations into the basic and advanced principles of control engineering at all academic levels.
DIGITAL INTERFACE
CE122 - Base Unit
A self-contained computer based controller designed to support practical investigations into the basic and advanced principles of control engineering at all academic levels.
More Information
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