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Description
There are several basic systems concepts to which reference will be made on numerous occasions throughout this Course. The programme shows some of these concepts in relation to simple mechanical sy...stems. John Naughton discusses the importance of a system boundary taking the car/driver system as an example. Professor John Beishon uses a pianola, a computer terminal, a washing machine and a steam engine to illustrate the concepts of open and closed loop control, and feedback. Finally intermittent feedback and lag effects are described taking aspects of the car/driver system again as examples.
There are several basic systems concepts to which reference will be made on numerous occasions throughout this Course. The programme shows some of these concepts in relation to simple mechanical sy...stems. John Naughton discusses the importance of a system boundary taking the car/driver system as an example. Professor John Beishon uses a pianola, a computer terminal, a washing machine and a steam engine to illustrate the concepts of open and closed loop control, and feedback. Finally intermittent feedback and lag effects are described taking aspects of the car/driver system again as examples.
| Module code and title: | T242, Systems management |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T242; 01 |
| First transmission date: | 11-02-1974 |
| Published: | 1974 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:37 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Nelson |
| Contributors: | Ronald John Beishon; John Naughton |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Car/driver system; Feedback; Intermittant feedback; Lag effects; Mechanical systems; Open/closed loop control; System boundary |
| Footage description: | John Beishon introduces the programme. He briefly explains what he means by a "systems approach" and discusses some basic concepts which are captioned on the screen. John Naughton examines the concepts of "boundary" in the systems approach. He comes up with a definition of a systems boundary and this is captioned. Shots of John Naughton test driving a Ford Escort saloon. The car skids on a bend where poor road conditions have been simulated. The skid is shown again in slow motion. Shots of a skilled driving instructor driving the car through the same bend under identical conditions. This time the car remains under control. John Naughton discusses the boundaries for the car system described above. Both the car and driver are included within the system's boundary. Shots of cars on the road, in various weather/road conditions. Should these conditions be Included within the system's boundary? Naughton Includes them. Shots of a pianola being played. Beishon explains how it works. He then shows a piece of punched paper computer tape and explains how this works. Shots of a computer terminal. Both the above are examples of open loop control. Beishon with a domestic washing machine. This is mother example of open loop control. Beishon pulls out the control panel and explains how it works. Beishon with a working model of a steam engine. He uses it to explain and discuss the feedback concept of a system. The engine is run at various loads to demonstrate its feedback capability. Beishon uses a systems diagram of the engine to explain the feedback function. Beishon uses the washing machine as an example of a system with mixed mode control. He goes through the controls involved in the soak cycle. operations as well. Shots of John Naughton driving a test car. He is trying to keep the speed at a steady 30 m.p.h. This is an example of intermittent feedback control (sample data control). The system is shown in diagrammatic form. Commentary explains why feedback is not continuous in this system. Shots of cars in heavy traffic in inclement weather conditions. Driving in these conditions is given as another example of intermittent feedback control. An example of the importance of feedback lag in a system is shown (Aspects of the car/driver system used) Shots of a driver behind the wheel of a car on an American highway. His vision is periodically blocked by a visor which covers his eyes. The driver can vary the rate of vision blockage to suit the demands made on him by road conditions. Beishon sums up the importance of lag in the system. He then sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71239 |
| Production number: | 00525_5128 |
| Videofinder number: | 782 |
| Available to public: | no |
