Howard T. Odum energy circuit language
Published: June 12, 2007, 2:04 am
Updated: June 12, 2007, 2:04 am
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Cutler J. Cleveland
| Energy circuit: A pathway whose flow is proportional to the quantity in the storage or source upstream.
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| Source: Outside source of energy delivering forces according to a program controlled from outside; a forcing function. |
| Tank: A compartment of energy storage within the system storing a quantity as the balance of inflows and outflows; a state variable.
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| Heat sink: Dispersion of potential energy into heat that accompanies all real transformation processes and storages; loss of potential energy from further use by the system. |
| Interaction: Interactive intersection of two pathways coupled to produce an outflow in proportion to a function of both;control action of one flow on another; limiting factor action; work gate. |
| Consumer: Unit that transforms energy quality, stores it, and feeds it back autocatalytically to improve inflow.
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| Switching action: A symbol that indicates one or more switching actions.
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| Producer: Unit that collects and transforms low-quality energy under control interactions of high-quality flows.
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| Self-limiting energy receiver: A unit that has a self-limiting output when input drives are high because there is a limiting constant quality of material reacting on a circular pathway within.
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| Box: Miscellaneous symbol to use for whatever unit or function is labeled.
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| Constant-gain amplifier: A unit that delivers an output in proportion to the input I but is changed by a constant factor as long as the energy source S is sufficient. |
| Transaction: A unit that indicates a sale of goods or services (solid line) in exchange for payment of money (dashed line). Price is shown as an external source.
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Citation
Ida Kubiszewski PhD (Lead Author);Cutler J. Cleveland (Topic Editor) "Howard T. Odum energy circuit language". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth June 12, 2007; Last revised Date June 12, 2007; Retrieved May 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Howard_T._Odum_energy_circuit_language>
The Author
Stewardship Committee
The Encyclopedia of Earth
Dr. Ida Kubiszewski is a Senior Lecturer at the Crawford School of Public Policy at Australian National University. She is also a co-founder and former-Managing Editor the Encyclopedia of Earth. Dr. Kubiszewki is currently working as the Managing Editor for a magazine/journal hybrid called Solutions. Solutions is an outlet for discussions focusing on solutions to the complex problems we are now facing in ... (Full Bio)
| Energy circuit: A pathway whose flow is proportional to the quantity in the storage or source upstream.
|
| Source: Outside source of energy delivering forces according to a program controlled from outside; a forcing function. |
| Tank: A compartment of energy storage within the system storing a quantity as the balance of inflows and outflows; a state variable.
|
| Heat sink: Dispersion of potential energy into heat that accompanies all real transformation processes and storages; loss of potential energy from further use by the system. |
| Interaction: Interactive intersection of two pathways coupled to produce an outflow in proportion to a function of both;control action of one flow on another; limiting factor action; work gate. |
| Consumer: Unit that transforms energy quality, stores it, and feeds it back autocatalytically to improve inflow.
|
| Switching action: A symbol that indicates one or more switching actions.
|
| Producer: Unit that collects and transforms low-quality energy under control interactions of high-quality flows.
|
| Self-limiting energy receiver: A unit that has a self-limiting output when input drives are high because there is a limiting constant quality of material reacting on a circular pathway within.
|
| Box: Miscellaneous symbol to use for whatever unit or function is labeled.
|
| Constant-gain amplifier: A unit that delivers an output in proportion to the input I but is changed by a constant factor as long as the energy source S is sufficient. |
| Transaction: A unit that indicates a sale of goods or services (solid line) in exchange for payment of money (dashed line). Price is shown as an external source.
|
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
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