Attention is drawn to the notes (particularly the definition of the term "variable") on page G 3 of this elaboration.
This class covers methods, systems, and apparatus for controlling in general.
In this class, the following terms are used with the meanings indicated:
"Controlling" means influencing a variable in any way, e.g. changing its direction or its value (including changing it to or from zero), maintaining it constant, limiting its range of variation.
"Regulation" means maintaining a variable automatically at a desired value or within a desired range of values. The desired value or range may be fixed, or manually varied, or may vary with time according to a predetermined "programme" or according to variation of another variable. Regulation is a form of control; the term "automatic control" is often used in the art as a synonym for "regulation".
Applications of control systems or elements for regulating specific variables are covered by sub-classes Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05D, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05F, and not by this sub-class. However, features of such systems or elements which are clearly more generally applicable are classified in this sub-class.
In this sub-class:
The term "automatic controller" means a system, circuit, or device in which a signal from the detecting element is compared with a signal representing the desired value and which operates in such a way as to reduce the deviation. The automatic controller generally does not include the sensitive element, i.e. that element which measures the value of the condition to be corrected, or the correcting element, i.e. that element which adjusts the condition to be corrected.
The term "electric" is intended to include "electromechanical", "electrohydraulic", and "electropneumatic".
Details of specific control systems are classified in the group relevant to the system, if not otherwise provided for.
The term "systems" in this sub-class includes self-contained devices such as speed governors, pressure regulators.
Features of general applicability to regulating systems, e.g. anti-hunting arrangements, are classified in sub-class Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...G05B.
Control systems designed specifically for particular apparatus, machines, or processes are classified in the sub-classes for the apparatus, machines, or processes, provided that (a) there is specific provision there for the control aspect and (b) the apparatus, machines, or processes are described in detail.
This sub-class includes the use of hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical motors for varying electric characteristics of devices which restore the quantity regulated.
This sub-class is restricted to systems, the elements per se being in the relevant sub-classes.
CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...F16C 1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...F16H; systems peculiar to the control of particular machines or apparatus classified in a single other class, see the class for such machines or apparatus)
G05G
Note(s)
This sub-class covers members of general applicability for mechanical control, and mechanical systems for moving members to one or more definite settings.