Direct Digital Boiler Control Systems for the Navy Small Boiler Equipment.

A total of 16 direct digital control systems applicable to the Navys small boiler requirement were identified and product information was obtained. One system now using analog controllers was included since they have digital controllers in development. Most of the systems studied employ functionally distributed control architecture wherein the controllers have resident memory and are electrically isolated from the operators station and communication link so that a failure of the operators station or communication link will not affect the control of the boiler. All of the systems are available with color CRT operators displays and keyboards etc. which are carefully thought out so as to simulate the analog displays that most operators are familiar with and thus require a minimum of operator training. A majority of the systems offer custom graphic displays for operator orientation.