An Analysis of Errors in the Electric-Analog Computer

Author: Dixon, William Joseph

Year: 1952

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Unknown, Unknown

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Electrical Engineering; Physics

DOI: 10.7907/JZ9T-BA74

Abstract

This thesis is the result of work done in connection with the California Institute of Technology Electric­ Analog Computer. Several methods are developed for determining the accuracy of the solutions of various types of problems by electric circuit analogies. These are used to obtain expressions for the errors involved in the solutions of specific examples.

The first part deals with the error involved in the solution of problems with continuously distributed physical properties by means of circuit analogies of lumped parameters. The errors of mode frequencies of several mechanical vibration problems are given in the form of asymptotic series.

In the second part, investigation is made of the effect of the statistical deviation of the actual values of the computer elements from their nominal values. This effect is computed for circuits for some of the problems considered in the first section.

The third part describes the analog computer solution of the transient stresses in a model airplane wing under landing impact. This solution is compared with another computed solution and with an experimental test of the same model wing.

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