Chapter 6 - Automated And Emerging Technologies Flashcards
Automated systems
Combination of hardware and software designed and programmed to work automatically without any human intervention
automated system in nuclear power stations explanation
Data from sensors are sent through the ADC if analogue, and then to the DCS which has access to a large database containing parameters and operational data. If action needs to be taken signals are sent to the appropriate actuators. Supervisor watches and can override DCS is necessary
Where can automated systems be applied (7)
Transport
Industrial
Weather
Gaming
Agriculture
Science
Lighting
Automated system in nuclear power station advantages (4)
-Much faster than humans to take action
-Much safer (timely interventions and keeps humans away from danger)
-Process more likely to be run under optimum conditions (problems can be quickly identified and solved)&
-Less expensive in the long run (labour costs of people monitoring the process all day
Automated systems in nuclear power stations disadvantages (4)
-Expensive to set up and needs testing
-Possible for unexpected conditions to occur which could have safety implications
-Computerised system, so it’s subject to cyber attacks
-needs advanced maintenance and can be expensive
Industrial applications of automated systems (2)
Nuclear power plants
Manufacture of paracetamol
Automated system in the manufacture of paracetamol explanation
Controls the 2 processes, 1 to make the paracetamol, the other to make solid tablets.
Monitored by sensors that send data back to a central computer which consults its data base to ensure the quantities are within parameters. Necessary action is taken by sending signals to actuates to operate things without human involvement
Uses remote monitoring system
Advantages of automated system in the manufacture of paracetamol (7)
Higher productivity
More consistent results
More efficient use of materials
Less expensive in the long run
Process more likely to run under optimum conditions
Much safer
Much faster
Disadvantages of automated system in the manufacture of paracetamol
Expensive and needs testing
Can have unexpected conditions occur and need a supervisor
Needs enhanced, expensive maintenance
Computerised system, so subject to cyber attacks
Transport applications of automated systems (2)
Self driving cars
Adaptive cruise control
Automated system in self parking cars
As the driver goes along a row of parked cars, the sensors and cameras gauge the size of any parking spaces and the computer warns the driver if a parking is found. Actuators operate the breaks, throttle etc under control of the computer to park. Sensors in the bumpers transmit signals that bounce off objects and receive the signals that are reflected back, the time taken here is used to calculate the position of objects which gives the computer a 3D image of its surroundings
Advantages of automated systems in self driving cars (6)
-Allows same number of cars to use fewer parking spaces
-Avoids traffic disruption in cities (they park faster)
-Cars fit into smaller spaces
-fewer dents and scratches (insurance claims)
-Safer, car will stop moving if sensors pick up an object or child
-Consistent results
Disadvantages of automated systems in self driving cars (5)
-over reliance on system - loss of skills
-Faulty/dirty sensors can send false data leading to malfunction
-Sensors may not pick up low keens
-expensive and doesn’t save the driver money
-Requires additional maintenance
DCS
Distributed control system
Powerful computer system programmed to monitor and control a complex without the need for human interaction
Adaptive cruise control
The use of sensors, actuators and micro processors to ensure that a vehicle keeps a safe distance behind another vehicle
Accelerometer
Sensor that measures acceleration and deceleration and that can detect the orientation of a device
Automated system in adaptive cruise control explanation
Driver sets a cruising speed. Lasers set into the bumpers of the car are used to constantly send out signals. The time taken for the lasers to noice off the vehicle in front and to reflect back to the sensors is used by the on-board computer to calculate the distance between the vehicles. If the distance is too small the computer send signals to the actuators applying the breaks and/or reducing the throttle. If the distance is greater than the safe distance the computer checks to see if the current speed equals the speed set by the driver, and then sends signals to actuators as necessary
Controller
Microprocessor in control of a process
Robotics
Branch of computer science that encompasses the design, construction and operation of robots
Robot
Mechanical device that can carry out tasks normally done by humans
Application of automated system in agriculture (1)
Irrigation systems
Automated system in irrigation systems explanation
Is completely and involves wireless transmission, allowing it to be used in vast, remote areas.
Data from automatic weather station is received by the controller every 10 minutes. Ultrasonic water level sensors measure the amount of water in irrigation channels and send back their data via wireless transmitters. Data is picked up by receiver which sends it to the controller which decides weather it is necessary to start or stop a series of water pumps by sending signals to the actuators.
Monitoring in an irrigation system
Completely remote using a schematic number of processes on a computer screen and via internet links and to the controllers. Allows several processes to be seen and overridden if necessary from a central point
Advantages of automated systems in agriculture (6)
- Reduced labour costs
- Better and more efficient control of irrigation process
- Better control of resources (water)
-faster
-safer
-Different crops have different requirements, controllers can be programmed so that different growing conditions can be simultaneously maintained
Disadvantages of automated systems in irrigation systems (3)
- Expensive to set up
- Very high maintenance costs
- Need to maintain the water channels to avoid in improper irrigation (system won’t pick them up and may flood or deprive an area)
Anemometer
Measures wind speed
Hygrometer
Measures humidity
Barometer
Measures air pressure
Level sensor
To measure rain fall
What automated weather stations require (4)
Battery (solar charging)
Microprocessor
Storage (database)
Range of sensors
What sensors weather stations need (6)
Thermometer
Anemometer
Hygrometer
Barometer
Level sensor
Light sensor
Automated weather stations
Save labour costs and gather information about remote regions.
Data from all sensors is sent it microprocessor, calculations are done and stored on a central database.
Use of actuators in weather stations
In the tipping bucket rain gauge. At a predetermined time interval, a signal is sent from the microprocessor to the actuators to operate a piston to tip the bucket collecting rainwater into a vessel where level sensors measure the rainfall that fell during that time period.
Sensors used in gaming
-Accelerometers (measure acceleration and deceleration and respond to tilting the game device)
-proximity sensors (touch pads) - electrodes are embedded in touch pads which can detect finger/hand position to increase user awareness
Automated systems in gaming
Embedded accelerometers, proximity sensors and microcontrollers allow increased human interaction with the game to provide a more immersive experience
Sensors used in automatic systems in lighting (3)
-Light sensors - automatically switch on/off lights depending on ambient lighting
-motion sensors
-infrared sensors
Examples of automated lighting systems (2)
Garden lights turned on when someone enters or it goes dark
Lighting that comes on in a microprocessor controlled water fountain when it’s dark
Automated lighting systems explanation
Light sensor value changes as it becomes dark and the microprocessor sends signals to the interface to control an array of LED lights around the garden. Lighting show involving preprogrammed display under the control of the microprocessor is initiated in the water fountain, with signals being sent to actuators to turn pumps on and off according to the installed program.
Advantages of automated systems in lighting (5)
-Possible to automatically control light sources
-reduced energy consumption
-wireless connections make it safer
-longer bulb life
-can program different light displays
Disadvantages of automated systems in lighting (3)
-Expensive to set up
-wireless can be less reliable than wired systems
-expensive maintenance
Application of automated systems in science (1)
Chemical processes in a laboratory
Automated system in chemical processes in a laboratory
Level sensors measure how much liquid
Readings sent from colorimeter to microprocessor which controls the open and closing of taps by sending signals to actuators.
Advantages of automated system in chemical processes in a laboratory (6)
- Consistent results
- less dangerous (hazardous chemicals)
-faster (different experiments can happen at once)
-automatic analysis of results
-Fewer highly trained staff needed
-results/experiments can be monitored from anywhere at any time
Disadvantages of automated systems in chemical processes in a laboratory (3)
-Less flexible than human technicians
-security risks if data is being shared globally
-expensive equipment
Advantages of using AI in automated systems (3)
-Ability to access and store vast amounts of facts
-Learn from huge amounts of data faster than humans
-able to better identify patterns in results
Disadvantages of using AI in automated systems (2)
-change in skill set
-AI is dependent on the data which trains it