METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF A TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS

PCT No. PCT/SU81/00039 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 14, 1982 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 14, 1982 PCT Filed Apr. 20, 1981 PCT Pub. No. WO82/03703 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 28, 1982.The method involves varying a parameter of an automatic controller to achieve optimal control quality and is operated in such manner that if the parameter of the controller changes in a direction of decrease in the stability margin of the control system, while the index of control quality is changing in a direction of increase in control quality, the parameter of the controller will be abruptly changed a number of times from a value corresponding to the stable state of the control system to a value corresponding to an unstable state thereof and back to the stable state until the index of control quality attains an optimal value corresponding to the best control quality. The automatic control apparatus comprises a storage device connected to the output of a device which generates a signal corresponding to the index of control quality, a control device for controlling the parameter of the automatic controller according to a signal generated by a direction signal generating circuit which responds to the direction of variation of the index of control quality. The apparatus includes a comparison circuit which changes the mode of operation of the device for controlling the parameter of the controller if the instant value of the index of control quality significantly deviates from the stored value corresponding to the best control quality.