Controle de temperatura de um forno

Abstract

This paper describes one application of the learning methodology “Motivation-by-Challenge” in alaboratory course for the Electrical and the Control & Automation Engineering curricula at UFMG, Brazil. The students are exposed to a challenge, having to solve a problem for a set of performance specifications. Small scale plants are presented or proposed to be constructed. This work deals with temperature control of an electric oven, with all the hardware implementation done in analog mode. The static characteristic of the sensor is determined, showing good linearity. The process is constructed and modeled, using a black-box method, through the observation of its step response. A Proportional plus Integral controller is designed for closed-loop operation, implemented and tested, showing good dynamic response to set-point changes. Perturbations are introduced, and the controller recuperates the desired temperature. The challenge arrives to a good result, proving to be very motivating for the students.

Index Terms - Education in Electrical and in Control & Automation Engineering, Motivation-by-Challenge Methodology, Control Laboratory, Temperature Control.