Patent GB-987872-A (GB)
Title: Electric analogue circuits
IPC: G06G7/57
Filed: 1961-09-20
Abstract: 987, 872. Simulating networks. SOC. NAZIONALE METANODOTTI S.p.A. Sept. 20, 1961 [Sept. 21, 1960], No. 33666/61. Heading G4G. An electrical analogue circuit for simulating the operative conditions of pipe line networks traversed by fluids comprises non-linear resistive elements each constituted by a network of linear resistances and diodes to simulate pipe sections and energized by one or more function generating circuits, by means of which the characteristics of each non-linear element may be varied. The equation governing the movement of gases in pipes is given as where P 1  represents the absolute pressure upstream, P 2  represents the absolute pressure downstream, P N  represents a reference pressure, Q N  is the flow by volume of the gas at the reference pressure and K and α are constants. This equation may be reduced to for incompressible fluids. A system governed by equation (2) may be simulated by the electrical circuit of Fig. 1, for which V 1  - V 2  = Ki<SP>α</SP>, where V 1 , V 2  are the voltages at the points 1 and 2 and are analogous to pressures and i is the current flowing in the circuit as a whole and is analogous to gas flow. In order to simulate the more complicated systems governed by equation (1) the source of e.m.f. E in the circuit of Fig. 1 is arranged to be variable between E and Eh, thus giving V 1  - V 2  = K/h<SP>α</SP>-i<SP>α</SP>. It is shown that if h is chosen to be Vm/Vn 1/α<SP>-1</SP>, where V m  is the arithmetic mean of V 1  and V 2 , and V n  is a constant with the dimension of voltage, then the required electrical simulating system will be established. A practical embodiment of such a system is that shown in Fig. 3, where A represents the diode network, and the system to the right of it a function generator to provide the appropriate voltages between E and Eh. In this function generator, the voltage -V 2  at 2 taken with respect to a general reference level 0 is fed via a cathode follower E and an inverting amplifier B to one input of an operational amplifier C and also to one input of a subtracting circuit D. To the other input of D the voltage V 1  at 1 is applied and the voltage derived from D, V 1  - V 2 , is halved and applied to a further input of the operational amplifier C. To a third input of the amplifier C is applied a voltage V k . The amplifier C sums the three input voltages and multiplies by a constant E/Vh, (V h  being a constant having the dimension of voltage), so that at its output we have E/Vh (V m  + Vk), (since V m  = V 1 +V 2 /2), which is shown in the Specification to equal -hE, the output voltage required of the function generator. This voltage is applied to the resistor diode network A. In practice, when V m  >> V n  and α is close to 2, the circuit may be very much simplified without causing appreciable error, if a diode network with symmetrical resistances is adopted. This simplification is indicated in Fig. 4. The function generator in this case may be reduced to the amplifier E supplied with the reference voltage 0 and an operational amplifier C supplied with the output from E and a voltave V 0  across a resistor RV 0 /V<SP>1</SP>. The output from the amplifier, whose gain is M, provides the required voltage -hE. Rules are given concerning the selection of the gain M. In a complete system, apart from the simulation of the pipe by means of the diode networks shown in Figs. 1 or 4, it is necessary to represent inlet and outlet points, the pressure control points and the zones of reduced pressure in the pipe. These may be simulated by a source of e.m.f. for the inlet, and a constant current generator for the outlet. A circuit for simulating a pressure control point at which the downstream pressure is kept constant and independent of changes of upstream pressure is indicated in Fig. 6, wherein F 1  represents feeder supplies with a balanced output and C is a high gain amplifier. The voltage at terminal 5 remains constant, despite fluctuations at terminal 4. Suitable conventional circuits for use in the blocks A-F of Fig. 3 are indicated (Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 not shown). It can be arranged that part of the resistance-diode network is of a plug-in nature so that pipes of different dimensions may be simulated by plugging in the appropriate resistances.