A Graphical Method for the Analysis of Piecewise Linear Control Systems, With Particular Application to Relay Controls

A graphical method is described for the analysis of piecewise linear control systems. By means of it both transient and steady oscillations can be studied. After the “characteristic curves” of a system have been computed and plotted, it is shown that the effects of dead zone, solid friction, backlash, and various lead devices are easily taken into account, without further computation. The method is illustrated by a more detailed examination of the behavior of relay controls, and a few of the charts obtained by the method are given.