säätökaarre

A säätökaarre, often translated as a control curve or regulation curve, is a graphical representation used in technical fields, particularly in engineering and automation, to illustrate the relationship between a control input and the resulting system output. It essentially depicts how a system is designed to respond to different settings or commands.

The horizontal axis of a säätökaarre typically represents the manipulated variable or the control signal, such as a valve position, a setpoint adjustment, or a power level. The vertical axis represents the controlled variable, which is the output of the system being regulated, for example, temperature, pressure, flow rate, or speed. The curve itself shows the intended or observed relationship between these two variables.

Säätökaarret are crucial for understanding and designing control systems. They help engineers to visualize the system's behavior, identify operating ranges, and set appropriate control parameters. For instance, in a heating system, a säätökaarre might show how much heat output is required to maintain a specific room temperature at different outdoor temperatures. Deviations from the expected säätökaarre can indicate problems with the system, such as sensor drift, actuator malfunction, or changes in environmental conditions.

They can be derived from theoretical models of the system or from empirical data collected during operation. In some cases, a säätökaarre might be linear, meaning the output changes proportionally to the input. In other, more complex systems, the relationship can be non-linear, requiring more intricate control strategies.