Control Output Devices

Control Output Devices:

Control Output Devices By Zac Sherriff; Tyrone Sherwin and Michael Shin

Contents:

Actuators Motors Buzzers Lights Heaters Contents

Actuators:

Used to convert computer signals into movement. Actuators

How does an Actuator work?:

Actuators are operated by a source of energy, usually in the form of an electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure or pneumatic pressure. It then converts that energy into some kind of motion. How does an Actuator work?

Example of Actuators:

Take the situation in a computer controlled greenhouse… When the temperature in the greenhouse is too high, the control program makes a decision to open a ventilator, reduce the heating or turn on a fan. A signal is sent to an actuator or motor to open the ventilator. A valve in the greenhouse may be closed to restrict the flow of hot water through the radiators and pipes Another motor or actuator will lower the blinds to reduce the amount of direct sunlight. Put simply, actuators drive motions in mechanical systems. Example of Actuators

Motors:

Motors The computer processes instructions then sends electric signals to the motor to cause it to operate The most common form of motor used with computers is the stepper motor. As its name implies, it moves in steps that can be very tiny This can be precisely controlled because of these small steps

Motor Uses:

Motor Uses Motors are used in many computer control applications, In the home: Automatic washing machines Automatic cookers Central heating systems Fans Microwave dishes

Motor uses cont…:

Motor uses cont… In industry: Robot arms Conveyor belts Moving of objects. In computers: Disc drives, both optical and magnetic Scanners Printers plotters

Buzzers:

Buzzers An actuator is connected from the computer to the buzzer The actuator is set to switch the buzzer either on or off

Buzzer Uses:

Buzzer Uses Buzzers are used in: Automatic cookers Microwaves To alert you as to when the cooking process is finished

Lights:

Lights An actuator is connected from the computer to the light bulb and set to switch the light either on or off.

Uses:

Uses Lights are used in computer-controlled greenhouses to increase the amount of light for the plants. Many forms of lights are used in computer control, including dimmers inside the home and bright security lamps as part of an outside security system.

Heaters:

Heaters An actuator is connected from the computer to the heater and set to switch the heater either on or off.

Uses:

Uses Heating elements are needed in automatic washing machines to heat the water to the required temperature. In automatic cookers they are needed to het the hotplates and the oven. They are an integral part of central heating systems as they are needed to heat the water before it is pumped to the radiators. They are required in computer-controlled greenhouses to increase the temperature of the greenhouse.

Summary:

We have talked about: Actuators; Motors; Buzzers Lights and Heaters Control Output Devices are usually controlled by Actuators Used in a wide range of things e.g. manufacturing factories; domestic use and lights Summary

Questions ???:

Questions ???