Electromechanics

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A relay is a common electro-mechanical device.

In engineering, electromechanics[1][2][3][4] combines processes and procedures drawn from electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Electromechanics focuses on the interaction of electrical and mechanical systems as a whole and how the two systems interact with each other. This process is especially prominent in systems such as those of DC or AC rotating electrical machines which can be designed and operated to generate power from a mechanical process (generator) or used to power a mechanical effect (motor). Electrical engineering in this context also encompasses electronics engineering.

Electromechanical devices are ones which have both electrical and mechanical processes. Strictly speaking, a manually operated switch is an electromechanical component due to the mechanical movement causing an electrical output. Though this is true, the term is usually understood to refer to devices which involve an electrical signal to create mechanical movement, or vice versa mechanical movement to create an electric signal. Often involving electromagnetic principles such as in relays, which allow a voltage or current to control another, usually isolated circuit voltage or current by mechanically switching sets of contacts, and solenoids, by which a voltage can actuate a moving linkage as in solenoid valves.

Before the development of modern electronics, electromechanical devices were widely used in complicated subsystems of parts, including

digital computers. Solid-state electronics
have replaced electromechanics in many applications.

History

The first electric motor was invented in 1822 by Michael Faraday. The motor was developed only a year after Hans Christian Ørsted discovered that the flow of electric current creates a proportional magnetic field.[5] This early motor was simply a wire partially submerged into a glass of mercury with a magnet at the bottom. When the wire was connected to a battery a magnetic field was created and this interaction with the magnetic field given off by the magnet caused the wire to spin.

Ten years later the first electric generator was invented, again by Michael Faraday. This generator consisted of a magnet passing through a coil of wire and inducing current that was measured by a galvanometer. Faraday's research and experiments into electricity are the basis of most of modern electromechanical principles known today.[6]

Interest in electromechanics surged with the research into long distance communication. The Industrial Revolution's rapid increase in production gave rise to a demand for intracontinental communication, allowing electromechanics to make its way into public service. Relays originated with telegraphy as electromechanical devices were used to regenerate telegraph signals. The Strowger switch, the Panel switch, and similar devices were widely used in early automated telephone exchanges. Crossbar switches were first widely installed in the middle 20th century in Sweden, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, and these quickly spread to the rest of the world.

Electromechanical systems saw a massive leap in progress from 1910-1945 as the world was put into global war twice.

electromechanical television
systems of the late 19th century were less successful.

Central Air Data Computer
.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)

pressure sensors was isotropically micromachined by Honeywell in 1962.[8]

An early example of a MEMS device is the resonant-gate transistor, an adaptation of the MOSFET, developed by

environmental parameters.[10] In the early 21st century, there has been research on nanoelectromechanical systems
(NEMS).

Modern practice

Today, electromechanical processes are mainly used by power companies. All fuel based generators convert mechanical movement to electrical power. Some renewable energies such as wind and hydroelectric are powered by mechanical systems that also convert movement to electricity.

In the last thirty years of the 20th century, equipment which would generally have used electromechanical devices became less expensive. This equipment became cheaper because it used more reliably integrated

electric actuators. This more reliable logic has replaced most electromechanical devices, because any point in a system which must rely on mechanical movement for proper operation will inevitably have mechanical wear and eventually fail. Properly designed electronic circuits without moving parts will continue to operate correctly almost indefinitely and are used in most simple feedback control systems. Circuits without moving parts appear in a large number of items from traffic lights to washing machines
.

Another electromechanical device is Piezoelectric devices, but they do not use electromagnetic principles. Piezoelectric devices can create sound or vibration from an electrical signal or create an electrical signal from sound or mechanical vibration.

To become an electromechanical engineer, typical college courses involve mathematics, engineering, computer science, designing of machines, and other automotive classes that help gain skill in troubleshooting and analyzing issues with machines. To be an electromechanical engineer a bachelor's degree is required, usually in electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical engineering. As of April 2018, only two universities,

Michigan Technological University and Wentworth Institute of Technology, offer the major of electromechanical engineering[citation needed
]. To enter the electromechanical field as an entry level technician, an associative degree is all that is required.

As of 2016, approximately 13,800 people work as electro-mechanical technicians in the US. The job outlook for 2016 to 2026 for technicians is 4% growth which is about an employment change of 500 positions. This outlook is slower than average.[11]

See also

References

Citations
  1. ^ Course in Electro-mechanics, for Students in Electrical Engineering, 1st Term of 3d Year, Columbia University, Adapted from Prof. F.E. Nipher's "Electricity and Magnetism". By Fitzhugh Townsend. 1901.
  2. .
  3. ^ The Elements of Electricity, "Part V. Electro-Mechanics[permanent dead link]." By Wirt Robinson. John Wiley & sons, Incorporated, 1922.
  4. ISSN 0888-3270
    .
  5. ^ "Michael Faraday's electric magnetic rotation apparatus (motor)". Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  6. ^ "Michael Faraday's generator". Retrieved 2018-04-14.
  7. ^ "WWI: Technology and the weapons of war | NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  8. .
  9. .
  10. ISSN 0250-6874. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  11. ^ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electro-mechanical Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electro-mechanical-technicians.htm (visited April 13, 2018).
Sources

Further reading

  • A first course in electromechanics. By Hugh Hildreth Skilling. Wiley, 1960.
  • Electromechanics: a first course in electromechanical energy conversion, Volume 1. By Hugh Hildreth Skilling. R. E. Krieger Pub. Co., Jan 1, 1979.
  • Electromechanics and electrical machinery. By J. F. Lindsay, M. H. Rashid. Prentice-Hall, 1986.
  • Electromechanical motion devices. By Hi-Dong Chai. Prentice Hall PTR, 1998.
  • Mechatronics: Electromechanics and Contromechanics. By Denny K. Miu. Springer London, Limited, 2011.