19. Quiz 2, demonstration of temperature and salinity control

Class meeting on 11, 12 March 2013

Homework: Checklist 6 Salinity and Temperature Control

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate control of salinity and temperature in the fish tank.

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Layout of the LCD panel to indicate status of temperature control and salinity control systems.
2. Late update An updated screencast on using MATLAB to curve fit the thermistor calibration curve is available on the screencast page.

18. Model for thermal control of the fish tank

Class meeting on 6, 7 March 2013

Homework: Assignment 5 due 11, 12 March 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Describe a procedure for estimating the smallest realistic value of the deadband for thermal control of the fish tank.
2. Describe experiments for measuring the characteristic constant, K of the fish tank.
3. Explain the physical significance of K.
4. Describe a procedure for using K and the temperature error to determine the duration of heat input.
5. Explain the role of salinity control deadtime in setting an upper bound on the duration of heat input.
6. Explain the pseudocode version of a thermal control algorithm for the fish tank.

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Original notes on temperature control of the fish tank (Early AM, 7 March 2013)
2. New! Improved! notes on temperature control of the fish tank (Early PM, 7 March 2013)
3. Checklist 5 for calibration of the thermistor
4. Arduino code snippet to measure and display time, heater status and fluid temperature.
5. Arduino code snippet showing the structure of temperature and salinity control.
6. MATLAB code to automate the measurement of K. Click on link below for more information

More information for this lecture is on another page.

17. Heater calibration; Energy balance model for the fish tank

Class meeting on 4, 5 March 2013

Homework: Assignment 5 due 11, 12 March 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to fabricate the fish tank heater by following instructions on the web
2. Be able to describe the role of RTV in the heater assembly
3. Be able to describe the role of the heat spreader in the heater assembly
4. Be able to apply an energy balance model to the fish tank

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Instructions on fabrication of the fish tank heater
2. Notes energy storage in fluid
3. Checklist 5 for calibration of the thermistor will be used in the next class

16. Calibration of thermistor; Energy balance model for the fish tank

Class meeting on 27, 28 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to build a circuit to measure the output of a voltage divider for a thermistor
2. Be able to collect calibration data for your thermistor
3. Be able to describe the steps necessary to reduce the thermistor calibration data to a form that can be included in the temperature control algorithm for the fish tank

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Slides on calibration of thermistors PDF one-up or PDF 2-up Updated 3 March 2013.
2. Slides on curve-fitting the calibration data PDF one-up or PDF 2-up Updated 5 March 2013.
3. MATLAB codes: plot_calibration_data.m, plot_thermistor_histograms.m, and fit_thermistor_calibration.m and
4. Sample data for use with thermistor_histograms.m and thermistor_curve_fits.m

15. Verification of salinity control; Fabrication of thermistor sensors

Class meeting on 24, 25 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to implement the salinity control algorithm and demonstrate that your fish tank can control its salinity
2. Be able to describe how the resistance of a NTC thermistor varies with temperature.
3. Be able to sketch and describe the circuit used to measure thermistor temperature with an Arduino
4. Be able to fabricate a waterproof thermistor probe by following the instructions on the class web site.
5. Be able to build a circuit to measure the output of a voltage divider for a thermistor

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Slides on temperature measurements and thermistors PDF one-up or PDF 3-up.
2. Instructions for fabricating the water-proof thermistor probe

14. Preparation for salinity control

Class meeting on 20, 21 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to implement the salinity control algorithm
2. Be able to use basic flow chart symbols to describe steps in salinity measurement and control
3. Be able to explain and modify the sample code for implementation of deadtime in salinity control

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Slides on flow charts and top-down design PDF one-up, PDF 3-up).
2. Skeleton of code for implementing deadtime in salinity control waiting_for_deadtime.txt (notice "txt" extension, not "ino")

13. Midterm Exam

Class meeting on 18, 19 February 2013

12. Preparation for salinity control; Preparation for Midterm.

Class meeting on 13, 14 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to derive and use the equations for mass balance during salinity control of the fish tank
2. Be able to implement the salinity control algorithm

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Solution to the concrete-mixing problem from HW4
2. List of Learning objectives (PDF) for lectures 1 through 12

11. Preparation for salinity control.

Class meeting on 11, 12 February 2013

Homework: Assignment 4 due 13, 14 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to describe the role of UCL and LCL in the control algorithms.
2. Be able to describe how to compute UCL and LCL
3. Be able to describe and distinguish the terms, setpoint, deadband and deadtime
4. Be able to describe a procedure for measuring deadtime
5. Be able to describe what variables are involved in determining the proportional control response
6. Be able to explain why the full proportional control response is not used, and how the actual control response is computed

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Slides on control of salinity PowerPoint, PDF or 3-up PDF.
2. Solution to in-class problem on correcting the salinity of the fish tank
3. Notes and lab instructions on preparation for salinity control (PDF) updated 13 Feb 2013 and 17 Feb 2013
4. Skeleton of code for implementing deadtime in salinity control waiting_for_deadtime.txt (notice "txt" extension, not "ino")

10. Analysis of mass balance for batch processes; Circuits for solenoid actuation; Installation of solenoid valves on the fish tank.

Class meeting on 6, 7 February 2013

Homework: Assignment 4 due 13, 14 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to use a systematic procedure to solve batch mass balance problems.
2. Be able to explain the sequence of events that occur when a relay coil is powered
3. Be able to identify the different types of relays (SPST, SPDT, DPST, and DPDT) and explain their operation
4. Be able to describe the difference between the relay used in the fish tank, and the relay that comes with the Sparkfun Inventor's Kit
5. Be able to assemble the cascade switching circuit for solenoid valves on the fish tank platform

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Example problem and Solution (PDF) involving addition of salty water to the fish tank.
2. Slides on cascaded switching circuits PowerPoint or 3-up slides in PDF
3. Slides on relays PowerPoint, PDF, 2_up PDF
4. "How to" page on wiring the solenoid valves.

9. Analysis of mass balance for batch processes; Circuits for solenoid actuation; Installation of solenoid valves on the fish tank.

Class meeting on 4, 5 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to identify whether a process is batch, steady flow or unsteady flow.
2. Be able to write the mass balance equations for batch processes.
3. Be able to use a systematic procedure to solve batch mass balance problems.
4. Be able to identify the components in a cascade control circuit
5. Be able to describe the purpose of the flyback diode on a relay coil or solenoid valve.
6. Be able to attach the solenoid valves and supply tanks to the fish tank platform

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Notes on analyzing mass balance for batch processes (PDF)
2. Slides on cascaded switching circuits PowerPoint or 3-up slides in PDF
3. Hand notes on relays (PDF)
4. Notes on clearance holes for solenoid screws
5. "How to" page on wiring the solenoid valves.

More information for this lecture is on another page.

8. Calibration of the Salinity Sensor and fabrication of wiring harness for the LCD

Class meeting on 30,31 January 2013

Homework: Assignment 3 due 5,6 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to set up the electrical circuit to power the conductivity sensor
2. Be able to demonstrate reading of the signal from your conductivity sensor
3. Be able to compute the mean, median, and standard deviation of a data set
4. Be able to perform the calibration procedure for the conductivity sensor
5. Be able to fabricate the wiring harness for the LCD panel

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Notes on calibration curve fit with MATLAB Slides in PDF or 2-up slides in PDF
2. Fabrication of the wiring harness for the LCD panel: PDF, and 3-up handout
3. Web page for instructions on how to fabricate the wiring harness

More information for this lecture is on another page.

7. Calibration of the Salinity Sensor and fabrication of wiring harness for the LCD

Class meeting on 28,29 January 2013

Homework: Assignment 3 due 5,6 February 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to set up the electrical circuit to power the conductivity sensor
2. Be able to demonstrate reading of the signal from your conductivity sensor
3. Be able to compute the mean, median, and standard deviation of a data set
4. Be able to perform the calibration procedure for the conductivity sensor
5. Be able to fabricate the wiring harness for the LCD panel

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Notes on Arduino programs for writing to the LCD panel Slides or 3-up slides
2. Calibration of conducitivity sensors: PowerPoint original, PDF, and 3-up handout
3. Fabrication of the wiring harness for the LCD panel: PDF, and 3-up handout
4. Web page for instructions on how to fabricate the wiring harness

6. Prepare for calibration of the Salinity Sensor

Class meeting on 23,24 January 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to demonstrate a working flow loop for the fish tank
2. Be able to demonstrate reading of the signal from your conductivity sensor
3. Be able to describe the calibration procedure for the conductivity sensor
4. Be able to compute the mean, median, and standard deviation of a data set

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Notes on Arduino programs for reading the conductivity sensor Slides or 3-up slides
2. Notes on basic statistics
3. Calibration of conducitivity sensors: PowerPoint original, PDF, and 3-up handout
4. Information on wiring the power and salinity sensor is available at the how to web page

4. Fabrication of flow loop; Prepare for calibration of the salinity sensor

Class meeting on 16,17 January 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to safely and effectively use hand tools to assemble the flow loop
2. Be able to verify that the flow loop is operating with tap water
3. Be able to describe the electrochemical reactions responsibility for the change in electrical conductivity with salt concentration

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Web page with instructions on assembling the flow loop
2. Lecture slides for operation of the salinity sensor: PowerPoint, PDF, PDF 3up
3. Notes on operation of the salinity sensor
4. "How to" page on wiring the salinity sensor.
5. "How to" page on wiring the electrical power for the fish tank.
6. Checklist for flow loop to be used at the start of Lecture 05
7. Checklist for electrical power

3. Fabrication of Salinity Sensor, Introduction to MATLAB

Class meeting on 14,15 January 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to safely and effectively use hand tools to assemble the salinity sensor
2. Be prepared to assemble the flow loop for the fish tank
3. Be able to launch MATLAB in the engineering computer lab
4. Be able to plot simple data sets with MATLAB

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Lecture slides for fabrication of salinity sensor: PowerPoint, PDF, PDF-3up
2. Web page with instructions on assembling the flow loop
3. Notes on introduction to MATLAB
4. A note on file types: tab-delimited and CSV
5. MATLAB function files myplot.m,   pump_analysis.m
6. Measured pump data Excel sheet

2. Introduction, Overview of Fish Tank Project, Fabrication of Platform

Class meeting on 9,10 January 2013

Homework: Assignment 01 14,15 January 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Be able to safely and effectively use hand tools to assemble the wooden platform for the fish tank project

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Lecture slides for fabrication of platform: PowerPoint, PDF, PDF-3up
2. Lecture slides for introduction to salinity: PDF
3. Web page with instructions on assembling wooden platform

1. Introduction, Overview of Fish Tank Project, Fabrication of PVC Tank

Class meeting on 7,8 January 2013

Homework: Assignment 01 14,15 January 2013

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the broad goals of the fish tank project
2. Understand the goals and expectations of the class
3. Be able to complete the fabrication of the PVC "fish tank"

Notes and Supplemental Files

1. Overview of the Fish Tank Project: detailed notes
2. Lecture slides: PowerPoint, PDF, PDF-3up
3. Web page for instructions on fabricating the PVC tank

More information for this lecture is on another page.