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Servos from ancient times to the present: Who are the pioneers of this technological revolution?
With the rapid development of science and technology, servo mechanisms have become an indispensable part of modern automation control. It is estimated that the application scope of servo technology has covered various facilities from industrial machinery to daily life. The history of servomechanism goes back centuries, but its evolution and technological advancements are little known. This article will explore the development history of servo mechanisms and their applications, and look for the pioneers of this technological revolution.
Basic concepts of servo mechanism
Servo mechanism, referred to as servo, is mainly a control system used to control the position of a mechanical system and its time derivative (such as speed). Such mechanisms typically include servomotors and use closed-loop control to reduce steady-state errors and improve dynamic response. In such a system, the action of the mechanism is corrected through negative feedback of error sensing to ensure precise control.
The root word servo comes from the Latin word "servus," which means "slave," aptly applicable to systems where feedback or error correction signals help control.
Servos and servo systems play a vital role in many situations. For example, automatic window control systems are not considered servomechanisms because the operator must rely on observation to adjust position. In contrast, a car's cruise control system utilizes closed-loop feedback and is therefore classified as a servo mechanism.
Application Scope
Position control
Position control is one of the most common applications of servo mechanisms. This type of servo system can be divided into various types such as electric, hydraulic and pneumatic servo. Their operating principle is based on negative feedback. The control input is compared with the actual position of the mechanical system. If there is an "error signal", the system will automatically adjust to eliminate the error.
Speed control
Servo mechanisms can also be used for speed control. For example, the mechanical speed regulator used in a steam engine is a servo system. This application dates back to before World War II, when constant-speed propellers were used to control aircraft engine speed.
Other applications
The first major application of servo mechanisms was in military fire control and marine navigation equipment. Today, servo systems have been widely used in many fields such as automatic mechanical tools, satellite tracking antennas, remote control aircraft, and automatic navigation systems. In aircraft, fly-by-wire control systems use servos to drive control surfaces, and in cameras, autofocus functionality also relies on servo mechanisms.
The servo motor is the core of the servo mechanism, and its structure contains a rotary encoder or potentiometer for precise position feedback.
Development of servo motor
A servo motor is a special motor combined with a rotary encoder or potentiometer to form a servo mechanism. This design ensures more precise control, especially when reaching a stable position quickly. For example, in high-end industrial components, rotary encoders are often used, while in cheaper remote control models, simple potentiometers are more often used. The wide application of servo motors reflects their importance in modern technology.
Pioneer of technological revolution
The history of servomechanism can be traced back to James Watt's steam engine governor, which is regarded as the first system capable of active feedback. Over time, many pioneers such as John MacFarlane Gray and Andrew Bates Brown made outstanding contributions to feedback control technology.
"Technological progress is led by those who have the foresight to try things out and take the risk of making adjustments."
During World War II, the development of electrical servo mechanisms was promoted. During the war when gain amperes were used, the maturity of this technology laid the foundation for the subsequent computer and automatic control fields.
Summary and Outlook
With the advancement of servo technology, its shadow can be seen in every corner from military applications to household appliances. In the future, with the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning, servo mechanisms will be more widely used. Is it possible that in the near future, servos will be able to learn on their own and further improve their performance?
