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Control System Block Diagram

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Block Diagram in control systems

Any system can be described by a set of differential equations, or it can be represented by the schematic diagram that contains all the components and their connections. However, these methods do not work for complicated systems.

The Block diagram representation is a combination of these two methods. A block diagram is a representation of a system using blocks.

For representing any system using block diagram, it is necessary to find the transfer function of the system which is the ratio of Laplace of output to Laplace of input.

Block Diagram in control systems

Where

Then, the system can be represented as

Summing Point: When we want to apply a different input signal to the same block then the resultant input signal is the summation of all the inputs. The summation of an input signal is represented by a crossed circle called summing point which is shown in the figure below.

Block Diagram in control systems

Take off Point: When there is more than one block, and we want to apply the same input to all the blocks, we use a take-off point. By the use of a take-off point, the same input propagates to all the blocks without affecting its value. Representation of same input to more than one block is shown in the below diagram.

Block Diagram in control systems Block Diagram in control systems

How to draw the block Diagram:

Consider a simple R-L circuit

Block Diagram in control systems

Apply KVL

Block Diagram in control systems

Now taking laplace transform of Eq.1 and Eq.2 with initial condition zero

Block Diagram in control systems

From eq.3 and eq.4

Block Diagram in control systems

From fig:

Block Diagram in control systems

Now taking laplace transform of Eq.5, and Eq.6

Block Diagram in control systems

For the right-hand side of eq.5, we will use a summing point.

Block Diagram in control systems

Here the output of summing point is given to the block, and the output of the block is I(s)

Block Diagram in control systems

Now the output I(s) is given to another block containing element SL and the output of this block is V0.

Block Diagram in control systems

By combining the above two figures, we get the required block diagram.

Block Diagram in control systems

Closed loop control system

A system in which a feedback path is there is called a closed-loop control system. In this system, the output is feedback into the error detector and then it is compared with the input signal. The feedback signal can be negative or positive.

Block Diagram in control systems

For positive feedback

Block Diagram in control systems

And for negative feedback

Block Diagram in control systems

Block diagram reduction rules

Rule No.1. Blocks in Cascade

When two or more blocks are connected in series, then the resultant block is the product of the individual blocks.

Block Diagram in control systems Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.2 Blocks in parallel

When two or more blocks are connected in parallel, then the resultant block is the sum of the individual blocks.

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.3 Moving a take-off point ahead of a block

When the take-off point is moved ahead of a block (before the block), then the same transfer function is introduced in the take-off point branch.

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.4 Moving the take-off point after the block

When the take-off point is moved after the block, then a block with reciprocal of a transfer function is introduced in the take-off point branch.

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.5 Moving a summing point beyond the block

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.6:Moving a summing point ahead of a block

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.7:Interchanging two summing points

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.8:Moving a take-off point beyond a summing point

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.9:Moving a take-off point ahead of a summing point

Block Diagram in control systems

Rule No.10:Eliminating a forward loop

Block Diagram in control systems

Example

Find the transfer function of the following by block reduction technique.

Block Diagram in control systems

Solution

Step 1: There are two internal closed loops. Firstly, we will remove this loop.

Block Diagram in control systems

Step 2: When the two blocks are in a cascade or series we will use rule no.1.

Block Diagram in control systems

Step 3: Now we will solve this loop.

Block Diagram in control systems

Step 4:

Block Diagram in control systems

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