Electrical Actuators and Sensors
Unit code: HET228
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 66 Hours |
| Campus | Hawthorn, Sarawak |
| Prerequisites | HET182 and HMS213 recommended |
Related course(s)
A unit of study in the;
An elective unit of study in the;
Aims and objectives
This unit of study introduces you to electrical actuators and sensors as used in robotic and mechatronic applications.
After successfully completing this unit, you should be able to:
1. Describe and apply the principles of electromechanical energy conversion, including in the construction, operation and applications of magnetic circuits, transformers, induction motors and DC machines. (K1, K3)
2. Describe sensors typically used in robotics projects including those for torque, force, acceleration, velocity, displacement, fluid-flow, and temperature. (K1, K3)
3. Safely execute experiments, analyse and interpret results and errors, and formulate conclusions. (K2, K6, S1, A7)
4. Design and execute a project as part of a team, including interpreting requirements, using engineering methods to problem-solve, applying creative approaches and seeking opportunities. (K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, A3, A7)
5. Present results in writing and orally as part of a team, demonstrating a professional image. (A2, A5, A7)
6. Demonstrate effective communication to peers and generate high quality documentation in robotics and mechatronics (progress and project reports, reports of investigations, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations). (A2, A4)
1. Describe and apply the principles of electromechanical energy conversion, including in the construction, operation and applications of magnetic circuits, transformers, induction motors and DC machines. (K1, K3)
2. Describe sensors typically used in robotics projects including those for torque, force, acceleration, velocity, displacement, fluid-flow, and temperature. (K1, K3)
3. Safely execute experiments, analyse and interpret results and errors, and formulate conclusions. (K2, K6, S1, A7)
4. Design and execute a project as part of a team, including interpreting requirements, using engineering methods to problem-solve, applying creative approaches and seeking opportunities. (K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, A3, A7)
5. Present results in writing and orally as part of a team, demonstrating a professional image. (A2, A5, A7)
6. Demonstrate effective communication to peers and generate high quality documentation in robotics and mechatronics (progress and project reports, reports of investigations, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations). (A2, A4)
Swinburne Engineering Competencies for this Unit of Study
This Unit of Study will contribute to you attaining the following Swinburne Engineering Competencies:
K1 Basic Science: Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.
K2 Maths and IT as Tools: Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools.
K3 Discipline Specific: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of the specific discipline within that context.
K4 Emerging Disciplinary Trends: Interprets and applies current or emerging knowledge from inside and outside the specific discipline.
K5 Practice Context: Discerns and appreciates the contextual factors affecting professional engineering practice.
K6 Professional Practice: Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.
S1 Engineering Methods: Applies engineering methods in practical applications.
S2 Problem Solving: Systematically uses engineering methods in solving complex problems.
S3 Design: Systematically uses engineering methods in design.
S4 Project Management: Systematically uses engineering methods in conducting and managing projects.
A2 Communication: Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences.
A3 Entrepreneurial: Appreciates entrepreneurial approaches to engineering practice.
A4 Information Management: Demonstrates seeking, using, assessing and managing information.
A7 Teamwork: Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.
This Unit of Study will contribute to you attaining the following Swinburne Engineering Competencies:
K1 Basic Science: Proficiently applies concepts, theories and techniques of the relevant natural and physical sciences.
K2 Maths and IT as Tools: Proficiently uses relevant mathematics and computer and information science concepts as tools.
K3 Discipline Specific: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge of the specific discipline within that context.
K4 Emerging Disciplinary Trends: Interprets and applies current or emerging knowledge from inside and outside the specific discipline.
K5 Practice Context: Discerns and appreciates the contextual factors affecting professional engineering practice.
K6 Professional Practice: Appreciates the principles of professional engineering practice in a sustainable context.
S1 Engineering Methods: Applies engineering methods in practical applications.
S2 Problem Solving: Systematically uses engineering methods in solving complex problems.
S3 Design: Systematically uses engineering methods in design.
S4 Project Management: Systematically uses engineering methods in conducting and managing projects.
A2 Communication: Demonstrates effective communication to professional and wider audiences.
A3 Entrepreneurial: Appreciates entrepreneurial approaches to engineering practice.
A4 Information Management: Demonstrates seeking, using, assessing and managing information.
A7 Teamwork: Demonstrates effective team membership and team leadership.
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group Assessment | Weighting |
| Examination | Individual | 60% - 70% |
| Laboratory Reports | Individual & Group | 20% - 30% |
| Assignments | Individual & Group | 10% - 20% |
Content
Magnetic Circuits and Ampere's Law- Concepts of magnetic flux, flux density, magnetic field intensity, reluctance, permeability and permeance
- Study of series and parallel magnetic circuits and electrical analogies
- Permanent magnets, magnetic materials and B-H characteristics
- Self and mutual inductance
- Energy density in a magnetic field
- Magnetic force relationship
- Force on a conductor carrying a current in a magnetic field
- Construction of a single phase transformer
- Ideal transformer equations: emf equation & ratio, mmf balance, phasor diagram
- Practical transformers: iron & winding losses, leakage reactance
- Equivalent circuit, efficiency, voltage regulation
- Introduction to the high frequency transformer and the pulse transformer
- Introduction to instrument transformers (CT's and VT's)
- Three phase motor construction
- Approximate equivalent circuit
- Equivalent circuit with Thevenin's equivalent
- Torque - speed characteristic, slip for maximum torque
- Losses, efficiency
- Motor and generator modes of operation
- Equivalent circuits
- Connections of field windings
- Voltage control and regulation
- Speed control and regulation
- Introduction to some power electronic semi-conductor devices
- Single phase half-wave and single phase full-wave converters
- Three-phase full wave converters
- Applications of converters
- Linear and rotational sensors
- Measurement of time and frequency
- Force torque acceleration sensors
- Flow, temperature, distance sensors
- Light image and vision systems
