117,963 research outputs found
The Design and Implementation of a Remote Automatic Control Laboratory: Using PID Control as an Example
[[abstract]]As automatic control systems are widely used in industry, the study of them is one of the most important introductory courses offered in college-level curricula. In this paper, we propose a networked learning model for automatic remote control PID experiments, including a platform and a networked learning system designed according to competence-based education methods. The online system offers a new approach to practical learning in a virtual laboratory. To evaluate the efficacy of the system, we conducted an experimental study using students enrolled in the automatic control course at Tungnan University in Taiwan.
We consider three instructional methods in this paper: a traditional method, a remote learning system method, and a competence-based networked learning method. The effects of students' academic performance prior to taking the course on their achievements with regard to PID control learning are also discussed. Thirty students were randomly divided into three groups, and one instructional method was implemented for each group. The students were also divided into two groups (high and low) according to their GPA scores in the previous school year. The data were subjected to two-way ANOVA analysis, and the interaction effect between two independent variables, i.e., one of the instructional methods and the student’s performance prior to taking the course, was observed. We found that both variables have a significant effect on a student’s learning outcomes. The results show that our competence-based networked learning system is as effective as the traditional instructional method.[[notice]]補正完畢[[incitationindex]]E
Statistical Classification of Cascading Failures in Power Grids
We introduce a new microscopic model of the outages in transmission power
grids. This model accounts for the automatic response of the grid to load
fluctuations that take place on the scale of minutes, when the optimum power
flow adjustments and load shedding controls are unavailable. We describe
extreme events, initiated by load fluctuations, which cause cascading failures
of loads, generators and lines. Our model is quasi-static in the causal,
discrete time and sequential resolution of individual failures. The model, in
its simplest realization based on the Directed Current description of the power
flow problem, is tested on three standard IEEE systems consisting of 30, 39 and
118 buses. Our statistical analysis suggests a straightforward classification
of cascading and islanding phases in terms of the ratios between average number
of removed loads, generators and links. The analysis also demonstrates
sensitivity to variations in line capacities. Future research challenges in
modeling and control of cascading outages over real-world power networks are
discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Duino-Based Learning (DBL) in control engineering courses
© 2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting /republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other worksThis document presents a project to develop freely redistributable materials to conduct educational lab projects with MATLAB, Simulink, Arduino and low-cost plants. This work materials introduce the fundamentals of Control Engineering through exercises and videos. Along with all this, the most important steps and issues appeared in the project are explained, so anyone interested on doing a project can have a starting point instead of starting a project from scratch, which most of times this results hard to implementPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Understanding best practices in control engineering education using the concept of TPACK
This study aimed to design an integrated pedagogical approach to advance introductory Process Control Engineering Education through the application of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and evaluating its impact on student learning. The research is initially being undertaken at Nottingham Trent University, UK but we will next adapt it to a case study in Libya. This paper aims to strengthen the teaching of introductory Process Control by using appropriate approach es in universities to improve the learning outcomes for students. From this work a new schematic for teaching Process Control ha s be en developed and, moreover, a thoughtful best practice in introducing Process Control in engineering education can be developed
Use of CCTV to determine road accident factors in urban areas
This paper sets out to assess whether there is a potential use for images collected through the increasingly ubiquitous use of CCTV cameras in urban areas as a means of increasing understanding of the causes of road traffic accidents. Information on causation and contributory factors is essential as a means of understanding why accidents occurred and how the occurrence of similar events may be prevented in the future. CCTV records of accidents could provide an independent perspective on an accident and have the potential to increase both the quality and quantity of information available to the safety researcher.
This study focuses on an area of central Leeds in the UK and shows that an existing CCTV camera system used for urban traffic management reasons has the potential to
1 record around a quarter of the accidents which occur in the area, based on patterns of past occurrence. Most city centres in the UK will have similar camera systems set up. By the introduction of additional strategically placed cameras and replacement of existing cameras with ones dedicated to accident recording, this figure could be increased substantially.
The paper also considers how effective cameras and video records will be as a means of identifying contributory factor information once an accident is recorded. The contributory factor classification used by a recently introduced system in Britain is assessed in terms of how visible each of the factors is likely to be on video and their relative frequency of occurrence. It is concluded that CCTV has a high potential to provide corroborative evidence about many of the most commonly occurring factors, and to throw further light on accident causation
Scaling-up vaccine production: implementation aspects of a biomass growth observer and controller
Abstract This study considers two aspects of the implementation of a biomass growth observer and specific growth rate controller in scale-up from small- to pilot-scale bioreactors towards a feasible bulk production process for whole-cell vaccine against whooping cough. The first is the calculation of the oxygen uptake rate, the starting point for online monitoring and control of biomass growth, taking into account the dynamics in the gas-phase. Mixing effects and delays are caused by amongst others the headspace and tubing to the analyzer. These gas phase dynamics are modelled using knowledge of the system in order to reconstruct oxygen consumption. The second aspect is to evaluate performance of the monitoring and control system with the required modifications of the oxygen consumption calculation on pilot-scale. In pilot-scale fed-batch cultivation good monitoring and control performance is obtained enabling a doubled concentration of bulk vaccine compared to standard batch productio
A comprehensive fractal approach in determination of the effective thermal conductivity of gas diffusion layers in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
The challenges in the fuel cell industry is to produce the efficient thermal and water
management for accurate determination of the effectiveness thermal conductivity of
gas diffusion layers (GDL) used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
(PEMFC‟s). This is one of the factors affecting the durability of a fuel cell and need
to get a solution to minimize costs and optimize the use of electrodes and cells. The
main objectives of this research focus on the capability of the fractal approach for
estimation the effectiveness of thermal conductivity of gas diffusion layer. Moreover,
on this research also to propose modified fractal equations in determination of the
effective thermal conductivity of GDL in PEMFCs based on previous study. Other
objectives in this study are demonstrated the thermal conductivity of GDL treated
with PTFE contents by using through-plane thermal conductivity experiment
method. The through-plane measurement (experiment method) has been used in
estimating through-plane thermal conductivity of the GDL. Thermal resistance for
GDL also has been investigated under compression pressure 0.1 MPa until 1.0 MPa.
In fractal equation, the determination of tortuous and pore fractal dimension can be
done by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) method. Determination of
effectiveness thermal conductivity using of fractal equation with slightly modified.
In findings, it was found that fractal equation have been modified and measured on
the GDL parameter characteristics. It was shown that the value of the effectiveness
thermal conductivity of the sample using fractal approach is in good agreement with
the experimental value. Finally, all the effective thermal conductivity measured by
experimental and fractal approach have been determined with the variant temperature
and compression pressure to show the validation result between of this two methods
Framework to Enhance Teaching and Learning in System Analysis and Unified Modelling Language
Cowling, MA ORCiD: 0000-0003-1444-1563; Munoz Carpio, JC ORCiD: 0000-0003-0251-5510Systems Analysis modelling is considered foundational for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) students, with introductory and advanced units included in nearly all ICT and computer science degrees. Yet despite this, novice systems analysts (learners) find modelling and systems thinking quite difficult to learn and master. This makes the process of teaching the fundamentals frustrating and time intensive. This paper will discuss the foundational problems that learners face when learning Systems Analysis modelling. Through a systematic literature review, a framework will be proposed based on the key problems that novice learners experience. In this proposed framework, a sequence of activities has been developed to facilitate understanding of the requirements, solutions and incremental modelling. An example is provided illustrating how the framework could be used to incorporate visualization and gaming elements into a Systems Analysis classroom; therefore, improving motivation and learning. Through this work, a greater understanding of the approach to teaching modelling within the computer science classroom will be provided, as well as a framework to guide future teaching activities
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