In the current climate of increasing complexity and functional integration in all areas of engineering and technology, stability and control are becoming essential ingredients of engineering knowledge. Many of today’s products contain multiple engineering technologies, and what were once simple mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic products now contain integrated electronics and sensors. Control theory reduces these widely varied technical components into their important dynamic characteristics, expressed as transfer functions, from which the subtleties of dynamic behaviours can be analyzed and understood.

Stability and Control of Aircraft Systemsis an easy-to-read and understand text that describes control theory using minimal mathematics. It focuses on simple rules, tools and methods for the analysis and testing of feedback control systems using real systems engineering design and development examples.

•  Clarifies the design and development of feedback control systems
•  Communicates the theory in an accessible manner that does not require the reader to have a strong mathematical background
•  Illustrated throughout with figures and tables

Stability and Control of Aircraft Systemsprovides both the seasoned engineer and the graduate with the know-how necessary to minimize problems with fielded systems in the area of operational performance.

Striving to make a complex subject clear, Langton (no affiliation given) provides an overview of control theory, which reduces varied technical components into their important dynamic characteristics, expressed as transfer functions, from which the subtleties of dynamic behaviors can be analyzed. Langton's description uses minimal mathematics and focuses on simple rules, tools and methods for the analysis and testing of feedback control systems. He uses real systems engineering design and development examples. This volume is part of the Aerospace Series, which provides practical and topical books to engineers, operators, users and allied professionals in the aerospace industry.
Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Striving to make a complex subject clear, Langton (no affiliation given) provides an overview of control theory, which reduces varied technical components into their important dynamic characteristics, expressed as transfer functions, from which the subtleties of dynamic behaviors can be analyzed. Langton's description uses minimal mathematics and focuses on simple rules, tools and methods for the analysis and testing of feedback control systems. He uses real systems engineering design and development examples. This volume is part of the Aerospace Series, which provides practical and topical books to engineers, operators, users and allied professionals in the aerospace industry. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

'\"Armed with the details in this book a new practitioner could enter any control laboratory and be effective.\" (The Aeronautical Journal, March 2008)

'

Stability and Control of Aircraft Systems provides an easy to read and to understand monograph that describes control theory using minimal mathematics and focusing on simple rules, tools and methods for the analysis and testing of feedback control systems using real systems engineering design and development examples. The author estimates that over 800f engineers are not adequately familiar with control theory; this book will help to correct this serious shortcoming as it provides an introduction to the basics of feedback control that are static and will not change.

Key Features Clarifies design and development for engineers who may have missed out on formal training at university Communicates the theory in an easy to read, comprehensible manner that does not require the reader to have a strong mathematical background Focuses on simple rules, tools and methods for the analysis of feedback control systems Includes case studies of real system engineering design and development problems

Roy Langtonhas recently retired from his position as Vice-President, Engineering & Integrity at Parker Aerospace, where he was responsible for internal seminars & training into feedback control.

Series Preface.

Preface.

1. Developing the Foundation.

1.1 Engineering Units.

1.2 Block Diagrams.

1.3 Differential Equations.

1.4 Spring–Mass System Example.

1.5 Primer on Complex Numbers.

1.6 Chapter Summary.

2. Closing the Loop.

2.1 The Generic Closed Loop System.

2.2 The Concept of Stability.

2.3 Response Testing of Control Systems.

2.4 The Integration Process.

2.5 Hydraulic Servo-actuator Example.

2.6 Calculating Frequency Response.

2.7 Aircraft Flight Control System Example.

2.8 Alternative Graphical Methods for Response Analysis.

2.9 Chapter Summary.

3. Control System Compensation Techniques.

3.1 Control System Requirements.

3.2 Compensation Methods.

3.3 Applications of Control Compensation.

3.4 Chapter Summary.

4. Introduction to Laplace Transforms.

4.1 An Overview of the Application of Laplace Transforms.

4.2 The Evolution of the Laplace Transform.

4.2.1 Proof of the General Case.

4.3 Applying Laplace Transforms to Linear Systems Analysis.

4.4 Laplace Transforms – Summary of Key Points.

4.5 Root Locus.

4.6 Root Locus Example.

4.7 Chapter Summary.

5. Dealing with Nonlinearities.

5.1 Definition of Nonlinearity Types.

5.2 Continuous Nonlinearities.

5.3 Discontinuous Nonlinearities.

5.4 The Transport Delay.

5.5 Simulation.

5.6 Chapter Summary.

6. Electronic Controls.

6.1 Analog Electronic Controls.

6.2 The Digital Computer as a Dynamic Control Element.

6.3 The Stability Impact of Digital Controls.

6.4 Digital Control Design Example.

6.5 Creating Digital Control Algorithms.

6.6 Chapter Summary.

7. Concluding Commentary.

7.1 An Overview of the Material.

7.2 Graphical Tools.

7.3 Compensation Techniques.

7.4 Laplace Transforms and Root Locus Techniques.

7.5 Nonlinearities.

7.6 Digital Electronic Control.

7.7 The Way Forward.

Index.