Tag: Controls

Process Control

Process Control

Process Control

11/02/17

“How can we improve on a process based on feedback?”

 

Processes are vital to modern engineering practice, whether it be in producing energy from municipal waste or in managing an industrial facility. However, sometimes we might encounter that there are some unaccounted inefficiencies within runtime. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to simply include sensors to analyze these discrepancies, and then use feedback to modify our process until it runs completely smoothly? Well, this is the idea behind process control and is a must-have for modern-day industrial systems.

Industrial Control Systems

Industrial Control Systems

Industrial Control Systems

10/26/17

“How can we control industrial processes?”

 

In Industrial operations, we often have to deal with large-scale control systems along with their instrumentation. Because of this, we will need to develop various types of special control systems to monitor and process everything. These constructions are known as industrial control systems and are one of the major underpinnings of modern-day industry.

PV monitoring

PV monitoring

PV monitoring

10/22/17

“How can we monitor the efficiency of our solar power systems?”
Solar panels are pieces of very active technology. And as such, they are prone to fluctuations in reliability and efficiency. So how could we monitor such changes? Well, what if we were to use software that detected such effects? This is the fundamental idea behind PV monitoring and is used in industries all over the world.

Robot Welding

Robot Welding

Robot Welding

10/14/17

“How can we use robots to do welding?”

 

Welding is one of the most important industrial processes. Because of it, we are able to construct machines with intricate metal designs. However, if it is performed by human hands, then things can become prone to error and harm the welder. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to simply use industrial robots to weld? Well, engineers have already thought of this a long time ago, and now robot welding has become a mainstay of factories around the world.

Damper Controls

Damper Controls

Damper Controls

09/22/17

“How can we control an HVAC damper?”

 

HVAC dampers are instrumental for controlling heating and cooling for buildings. However, since they are located in isolated air ducts, we will need to use some form of remote control to operate them. This is where damper controls come in. Damper controls allow for the angle of the ducts of a damper to be adjusted at will, inducing optimal living conditions.

Pulse-width Modulation

Pulse-width Modulation

Pulse-width Modulation

09/18/17

“How can we use a digital signal to control power appliances?”

Using sinusoidal analog signals for control applications has drawbacks. Specifically, the constantly changing signal can cause the resistors on a circuit to heat up and induce damage. However, how can we use our engineering mindset to fix this problem? Well, what if we were to replace this analog system with a discrete one operating at a duty cycle? That way we can imitate the perpetually switching signal while avoiding the issues that come along with it. This type of signaling is known as pulse-width modulation and is one of the fundamental ideas of modern control theory

 

Smart Zoning for HVAC Systems

Smart Zoning for HVAC Systems

Smart Zoning for HVAC Systems

09/15/17

“Can we solve the problem of temperature discrepancy in buildings?”

 

When we think of buildings, many of us assume that the temperature inside will be completely uniform in nature. However, more often there is significant temperature variation from room to room. Making this worse, most HVAC systems only base their setpoints on one of these rooms, causing improper heating and discomfort in the rest of the building. So how can we solve this problem using our engineering mindset? Well, what if we were to use multiple smart thermostats to divide the building into multiple zones, each with their own setpoints? This is the fundamental idea behind smart zoning for HVAC systems, a nascent but intriguing technology which has the promise to vastly improve the ergonomic, economic, and ecological capacity of everyday heating and cooling.

Smart Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

09/13/17

“How can we make thermostats more effective?”

 

Thermostats are essential for keeping a home cozy and tidy. However, traditional thermostats are unable to respond directly to an environment, making them inappropriate for the increasingly dynamic nature of modern building energy management. So how can we use our engineering mindset to configure thermostats that can adapt readily to their environment? Well, what if we were to make smart thermostats with real-time sensors that can collect data about the surrounding environment and make snap decisions, such as adjusting the temperature and introducing local zones, as well as be controlled from an external device? Well, it turns out that this is being carried out in everyday life, with new smart thermostat companies popping up all over the world from the heart of Silicon Valley to the streets of London.