Abstract:
A system for and method of determining if an actuator, such as a motor driving a stem of a valve in a line feeding a fibrous slurry to a paper making machine, is in a stuck condition includes a position transducer for the actuator. A control signal for the actuator may be periodically supplied to the actuator. A computer responds to the magnitude of the control signal and an indication of the actual position of the actuator, as derived by an analog-to-digital converter responsive to a position transducer for the actuator. The computer compares the position of the actuator before and after the control signal is supplied to the actuator. In response to the two positions being the same, a signal indicative of the amount the actuator should have moved in response to the control signal is derived and compared with a predetermined value for the minimum amount of detectable movement for the actuator to derive a stuck actuator alarm signal selectively.
Abstract:
A controller for a machine or process having a transportation lag is responsive to a signal sampled at time intervals less than the time required for the transportation lag. The sampled signal is fed to a controller which drives the machine prior to completion of the time required for the transportation lag. A negative feedback loop around the controller includes a transfer function indicative of the d.c., steady state response of the machine being controlled and a positive feedback loop indicative of the total transfer function of the machine being controlled, including the transportation lag thereof. A further negative feedback loop is provided between the machine output and the controller input. In a specifically disclosed embodiment, full corrections to errors of moisture and fiber content of a fibrous sheet are made within a transportation lag between a slurry input point of a headbox and scanning gauges located downstream of a dryer.