Engineering Control Techniques

Mechanical

• Mechanical control systems consist of mechanical armatures connected to levers or cables, which in turn change the engineering system. Early airplanes used mechanical control techniques in their flight control systems. The pilot would adjust levers in the cockpit which would in turn pull wires that adjusted the control surfaces in the wings and tail of the airplane. Most modern aircraft now use electronic controls. Another use of mechanical controls is in the remote manipulation of harmful materials.

Electronic

• Electronic control techniques are any that use electrical signals to transmit control signals and use electromechanical actuators to control the engineering system. Electronic control is widely used in modern aircraft, automobiles and consumer goods. Electronic control is often integrated with computer chips.

Pneumatic

• Pneumatic control uses compressed air to control engineered systems. Pneumatic control generally consists of an air compressor, a set of control valves and a set of actuators. The user operates the valves. These valves are used to control the flow of air down the pipes. The actuators are pneumatic cylinders that extend or retract in response to an input of compressed air. Pneumatic control is used in robotics, drills and to open and close doors.

Hydraulic

• Hydraulic control systems use incompressible fluids like water or oil to transmit control signals. In the case of many hydraulic control systems, the hydraulic fluid simultaneously transmits the signal and power to the actuators. Automobile braking systems are an example of hydraulic control systems.