The role of control in design: From fixing problems to the design of dynamics

This paper is concerned with the role of dynamics and control communities in the design cycle of new products. The paper advocates the need to change the current role from mainly reactively fixing problems to proactively designing beneficial dynamics early in the design cycle. The message is presented with the aid of a case study involving dynamic modeling (barriers), control (current approach), and design of beneficial dynamics (proposed approach) for mitigating combustion instabilities in jet engines. While the discussion is restricted to jet engines, it is hypothesized that the assessment of the current role and merits of the proposed new role apply broadly across multiple industries.