Feedback

For other uses, including Audio feedback, see Feedback (disambiguation)

Feedback in mechanical engineering

In ancient times, the float valve was used to regulate the speed of Greek and Roman water clocks; similar float valves are used to regulate fuel in a carburettor and also used to regulate tank water level in the flush toilet.

Related Topics:
Float valve - Water clock - Carburettor - Flush toilet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The windmill was enhanced in 1745 by blacksmith Edmund Lee who added a fantail to keep the face of the windmill pointing into the wind. In 1787 Thomas Mead regulated the speed of rotation of a windmill by using a centrifugal pendulum to adjust the distance between the bedstone and the runner stone (i.e. to adjust the load).

Related Topics:
Windmill - 1745 - Edmund Lee - 1787 - Thomas Mead

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The use of the centrifugal governor by James Watt in 1788 to regulate the speed of his steam engine was one factor leading to the Industrial Revolution. Steam engines also use float valves and pressure release valves as mechanical regulation devices. A mathematical analysis of Watt's governor was done by James Clerk Maxwell in 1868.

Related Topics:
Centrifugal governor - James Watt - 1788 - Steam engine - Industrial Revolution - Mathematical analysis - James Clerk Maxwell - 1868

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Great Eastern was one of the largest steamships of its time and employed a steam powered rudder with feedback mechanism designed in 1866 by J.McFarlane Gray. Joseph Farcot coined the word servo in 1873 to describe steam powered steering systems. Hydraulic servos were later used to position guns. Elmer Ambrose Sperry of the Sperry Corporation designed the first autopilot in 1912. Nicolas Minorsky published a theoretical analysis of automatic ship steering in 1922 and described the PID controller.

Related Topics:
Great Eastern - 1866 - J.McFarlane Gray - Joseph Farcot - Servo - 1873 - Elmer Ambrose Sperry - Sperry Corporation - Autopilot - 1912 - Nicolas Minorsky - 1922 - PID controller

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Internal combustion engines of the late 20th century employed mechanical feedback mechanisms such as vacuum advance but mechanical feedback was replaced by electronic engine management systems once small, robust and powerful single-chip microcontrollers became affordable.

Related Topics:
20th century - Vacuum advance - Engine management systems

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~