Levitator

This Instructable describes how to create a device used to make an object float in space by means of a dynamic equilibrium between gravity and the magnetic force simultaneously acting on the object.

It is to be noted that only the dynamic magnetic field and electronics (acting as the feedback) make such a control possible. Unfortunately, static magnetic fields cannot be used in such systems, since the object will be in a state of unstable equilibrium that will invariably lead to its downfall.

Required Materials

Hardware:

1. Hall sensor;

2. Silego GreenPAK SLG46140V chip

3. Solenoid

4. Neodymium Magnet

5. Object

Software:

1. Silego GreenPAK Designer. http://www.silego.com/softdoc/software.html

To create this device we use Silego GreenPAK as a linear system regulating element with the feedback.

You can go through all steps to understand how the GreenPAK chip has been programmed to control the Levitator. However, if you just want to easily create this device without understanding all the inner circuitry, download GreenPAK software to view the already completed Levitator GreenPAK Design File. Plug your computer to the GreenPAK Development Kit and hit program to create the custom IC to control the Levitator.

The next steps will discuss the logic that is inside the Levitator GreenPAK design file for those that are interested in understanding how the circuit works.

Step 1: How It Works?

Consider the system performance using the block circuit as an example (see Figure 1). When the permanent magnet approaches the Hall sensor (SS495 type), its output voltage increases linearly with the magnetic field strength. In the initial state, when there is no magnetic field, the sensor output voltage is half of the supply voltage (please see datasheet for SS495 sensor).

The signal of the instantaneous value of the magnetic field strength, created by a permanent magnet, enters the PWM signal regulation and generation circuit, which, in turn, controls the solenoid coil. In such a way, feedback appears and the solenoid coil creates a magnetic field, which keeps the permanent magnet in equilibrium with the force of gravity.

The simplified control process is as follows: 1. Magnet is absent - signal from the sensor is maximal - control unit sets the maximal duration of the PWM signal (~ 100%), maximal current flows through the solenoid coil and the solenoid magnetic field strength is at the maximum level. 2. Magnet approaches the sensor - the magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet increases and the input signal of the control unit decreases. Respectively, the PWM signal duration and the solenoid coil current decreases. Consequently, the solenoid magnetic field, which attracted permanent magnet, decreases as well. 3. At the maximal application of the permanent magnet to the sensor - the PWM signal duration is minimal; current hardly flows through the solenoid coil and its magnetic field is almost absent – only gravity acts on the permanent magnet and it falls down.

The process is repeated and the permanent magnet is not falling down (it is also not being attracted) – it falls down and attracts several thousand times per second, i.e. there is a dynamic equilibrium between the gravity force and the magnetic adhesion - permanent magnet hangs in the air (see Figure 3).

It can be observed that this control method has a drawback; when the permanent magnet is absent (i.e. the levitation object is absent). In this case, current that flows through the solenoid coil is maximal (the system tries to attract the currently absent permanent magnet by increasing the field to the maximum possible).

The best solution in this situation is to turn the solenoid coil off. This function is performed by the Watchdog block, built on elements such as 3-bit LUT3, 2-bit LUT2, 2-bit LUT1, DLY0, DFF4 and DFF5.

This unit constantly monitors the PWM generator output signal duration (DCMP0/PWM0) and if it exceeds a specified duration (DLY0), which corresponds to the situation when the magnet is missing (and the Hall sensor signal is maximal), the DFF5 switches to the HIGH level and turns the whole system off. The system will be turned on only if a magnet is held up close to the sensor. The ACMP0 comparator monitors the sensor signal voltage level and when it decreases below the ACMP0 Vref threshold and does not increase over 0.5 seconds (time DLY1) (i.e. a magnet is held near the sensor for at least half a second), the DFF5 will be reset and the whole system will be activated (see Figure 4, a). Besides, when the system powers up, first it is blocked for 0.5 seconds (DLY3) in order to prevent false operation during the turn-on period. The PWM generator is composed of the classical scheme and consists of the ADC, DCMP0 digital comparator and CNT2 counter.

Channel 1 (yellow/top line) – PIN#1 (VDD)

Channel 2 (light blue/2nd line) – PIN#6 (AInp)

Channel 3 (magenta/3rd line) – PIN#9 (MOSFET)

Step 2: Circuit Analysis

The electrical circuit of the device is presented in Appendix 2. Power supply voltage of the entire system is 12 volts. The system uses the 78L05 linear regulator, which reduces the voltage to a stable 5 volts, to power the Hall sensor and GreenPAK chip. Power control of the solenoid coil is produced through the power N-channel MOSFET, LR120N transistor. The protective diode must be connected in parallel to the solenoid coil. The protective diode protects the transistor from excess voltage (when the solenoid is switched off) through self-induction.

The C7, R3 and R4 elements are the peculiar features of this circuit, which allow the achievement of full stability of the levitating object. The lower frequency component of the Hall signal passes through the R3 R4 voltage divider and is attenuated ~2.2 times, so the ADC input signal could be within acceptable limits.

The full signal component passes through the C7, R3 and R4 filter almost without getting attenuated. But what kind of component is this signal component and where does it come from? The low frequency component of the signal depends on the position of the magnet towards the sensor, i.e. the distance between them. The full signal component results from the magnet fluctuations around the equilibrium point, i.e. due to changes in the position of the magnet in time (speed). The magnet velocity should be equal to 0, that is, it should be fixed.

Thus, the control signal consists of two components: a lower frequency component responsible for the position of the magnet and full signal one, for its stability.

LED1 - LED3 are indicators that report:

- the presence of 12V voltage (LED1);

- the presence of 5V voltage (LED2);

- the current state of the power transistor control (LED3).

The solenoid coil shown is custom made using copper wire (0.8 mm thickness). When the control unit sets the maximum PWM signal duration (~ 100%), the maximum current of 0.5A flows through the solenoid coil.

This corresponds to 6 watts of power, when supplied with 12 V. Such a high current is due to the fact that our levitating object has a mass of 15 to 20 grams and requires a relatively large magnetic field to be levitated. However, there is a drawback - the solenoid coil may get hot during extended operation. In other words, it is necessary to do a trade-off; the heavier the object is, the greater the magnetic field (and current) is needed for its levitating and vice versa.