Available online
Description
The programme concerns two of the principal case studies of the course. It looks at control systems at Fawley Power Station and at RAF Oakhanger satellite tracking station.
The programme concerns two of the principal case studies of the course. It looks at control systems at Fawley Power Station and at RAF Oakhanger satellite tracking station.
| Module code and title: | T391, Control engineering |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T391; 02 |
| First transmission date: | 05-05-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Edward Smith |
| Contributors: | Chris Dillon; Dick Fendrich |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Boiler drum model; Power station; Satellite tracking system |
| Footage description: | Shots of a model of the boiler drum system used at Fawley Power Station, Southampton. Chris Dillon introduces the programme. With the aid of an animated diagram, Dick Fendrich explains, broadly, how the level of water in the boiler drum is controlled. He points out the various components in the system. Standing next to a boiler drum feed valve, Fendrich explains the function of this component and how it is controlled. Fendrich goes on to look at the boiler drum and discusses the problem of controlling water level in the drum during operation. Over shots of an animated diagram of the system at Fawley and shots of the central control room there, Fendrich explains how water levels in the boilers are controlled. Shots of a pen recorder graph tracing a continuous reading of all the relevant variables. Shots of a schematic model of the Fawley system and a caption of the mathematical equation which describes the dynamic behaviour of the boiler drum. Dillon discusses the mathematical basis of the model, particularly the effect of introducing an integrator. Dillon sets up the model to operate in a proportional mode and then runs an experiment in the mode. He discusses the results, particularly the appearance of an offset. Dillon then goes on to discuss ways to remove the offset effect shots of the model and of an oscilloscope screen as he talks. Dick Fendrich, at RAF Oakhanger (a satellite tracking station), has a detailed look around the control room. He points out the various instruments found there and explains their function. Fendrich next goes outside and looks at various components of the antenna structure. He points out, particularly, those components which control the movement of the antenna. Chris Dillon demonstrates the satellite tracking system with a working model of that system. (The model is based on ultrasonic rather than radar sign) In his first experiment he notes the reaction of the antenna to a simulated wind gust. Dillon goes on to simulate the antenna dish moving at a constant angular velocity while tracking a satellite. A constant angular error similar to the offset, demonstrated at the power station results. Dillon introduces an integrator into the system as was done at Fawley and notes the results - the antenna dish becomes unstable and points in completely the wrong direction. (No solution to this problem is given in the programme). Dillon sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72675 |
| Production number: | 00525_5318 |
| Videofinder number: | 1096 |
| Available to public: | no |
