Practical Nonlinear Controllers for Industrial Applications

Narrative

The main theme of two platform grants and two co-operative projects with the University of Glasgow was the development of simple, practical nonlinear controllers for industrial applications. The resulting controllers have been evaluated for a very wide range of industrial applications but the focus here is on their success for the automotive industry. A spin-off company from the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department, Industrial Systems and Control Ltd., established more than two decades ago, has been the natural mechanism to exploit the tools and design methods developed. The main success is in achieving support from the US automotive manufacturers and particularly General Motors (GM) in Detroit for petrol engines and the Toyota Research Centre in Ann Arbor for diesel engines. In addition, there has been substantial interest from other leading manufacturers (Ford, Boeing, Chrysler, Ricardo, Freescale, Alstom, Danieli Automation) resulting in training courses at company premises in Europe and USA. The main aim was to use the proposed controllers to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. Engine test results at GM demonstrated considerable potential.

Impact status	Open
Category of impact	Economic and commerce, Professional practice, training and standards, Environment and sustainability - natural world and built environment