M3- Explain the principles and uses of proportional control
Introduction
In this report I am going to explain how proportional control is used in different devices and what
requirements are needed for it to work the best way. I am then going to talk about what devices use
it and why they need rather than a different control system. Finally i am going to conclude this
report with what I found out.
Proportional control is a fairly complex control system with many controllers and algorithms used.
The aim of the control system is to control a device properly which its normally integrated into
allowing for more flexibility in response times whether it be slow or fast than other control systems.
Proportional control makes sure the output of the device it’s controlling always stay similar to what
it was set to originally and even if it does exceed the output, it will slowly reduce the power of the
device to re-meet the output it was originally set to.
Examples of Proportional Control
A common everyday item that uses proportional control can be a toilet bowl. Normally the toilet
bowl will refill back up with water when you flush it because the water was used, however if you
have noticed it does not overflow because it has a proportional valve normally connected to the
incoming water supply and the float at the other end. Once the tank is full up proportional control
takes place and shuts of the incoming water flow ready for the water to be flushed again.
A car uses proportional control for its cruise control feature. When driving you can use cruise control
which will maintain the speed of the car you want it to stay at. Because proportional control allows
flexibility this is very useful if you wanted to reduce or increase the speed of the car by pressing
accelerate or brake. For example if overtake a car proportional control will come after you have
completed the overtake and let go of the accelerator and reduce power of the car so it slows down
and goes back to the speed it was originally at, same goes the other way round if the car is too slow.
Many water tanks which have and supply large amounts of water also need proportional control
maintain accurate levels of water. Similar to a toilet bowl there would also be values in place from
where the water goes in and out to. When the water level is rising or too much proportional control
would make sure the water goes out, if the tank needs filling the water going in valve would let new
water into the tank and meet the original requirements again.
Introduction
In this report I am going to explain how proportional control is used in different devices and what
requirements are needed for it to work the best way. I am then going to talk about what devices use
it and why they need rather than a different control system. Finally i am going to conclude this
report with what I found out.
Proportional control is a fairly complex control system with many controllers and algorithms used.
The aim of the control system is to control a device properly which its normally integrated into
allowing for more flexibility in response times whether it be slow or fast than other control systems.
Proportional control makes sure the output of the device it’s controlling always stay similar to what
it was set to originally and even if it does exceed the output, it will slowly reduce the power of the
device to re-meet the output it was originally set to.
Examples of Proportional Control
A common everyday item that uses proportional control can be a toilet bowl. Normally the toilet
bowl will refill back up with water when you flush it because the water was used, however if you
have noticed it does not overflow because it has a proportional valve normally connected to the
incoming water supply and the float at the other end. Once the tank is full up proportional control
takes place and shuts of the incoming water flow ready for the water to be flushed again.
A car uses proportional control for its cruise control feature. When driving you can use cruise control
which will maintain the speed of the car you want it to stay at. Because proportional control allows
flexibility this is very useful if you wanted to reduce or increase the speed of the car by pressing
accelerate or brake. For example if overtake a car proportional control will come after you have
completed the overtake and let go of the accelerator and reduce power of the car so it slows down
and goes back to the speed it was originally at, same goes the other way round if the car is too slow.
Many water tanks which have and supply large amounts of water also need proportional control
maintain accurate levels of water. Similar to a toilet bowl there would also be values in place from
where the water goes in and out to. When the water level is rising or too much proportional control
would make sure the water goes out, if the tank needs filling the water going in valve would let new
water into the tank and meet the original requirements again.
