Electronic Levitron...How the heck does this thing work?

[Nink]

Since they are only tracking in the center I am not sure we would be accurate enough with a circle of infared receivers and an infared led in the middle and reflective tape on object.  We may need  an infared camera in the middle surrounded by infared LEDs in a circle with a small piece of reflective tape in the centre of the levitation unit. The levitation unit is a ring magnet with the centre covered and the small piece of reflective tape.   See Johnny lee infared tracking with the wii remote.   http://johnnylee.net/projects/wii/

[Pirate88179]

Since they are only tracking in the center I am not sure we would be accurate enough with a circle of infared receivers and an infared led in the middle and reflective tape on object.  We may need  an infared camera in the middle surrounded by infared LEDs in a circle with a small piece of reflective tape in the centre of the levitation unit. The levitation unit is a ring magnet with the centre covered and the small piece of reflective tape.   See Johnny lee infared tracking with the wii remote.   http://johnnylee.net/projects/wii/

I think that the entire bottom of the floating magnet disk is mirrored.  At least, it looked to me like it was in the video on their website.  When they levitated the pillow, they just set the pillow on the magnetic disk...right?

I am still curious about the hidden version in the wooden desk top.  Like I said...only a small dia. area is visible on the desktop.  All of the sensors have to be in there...right?

Bill

PS.  Allelectronics has hall sensors for like $.75 ea.  For what that is worth.

[TinselKoala]

I just placed an order for ten Allegro AH3503 ratiometric Hall effect sensors from China. Cost for the ten: one dollar and ninety-eight cents. Shipping: two dollars. So I'll have them here in my mailbox in 10 or 14 days, for a cost of about 40 cents each.

[Nink]

My local shop only has Hall switches for $4.99 each and they are just on off, they don't even sense magnet poll let alone provide voltage based on distance.

Here is how I think they are doing this with an Infrared LED in the middle of a circle of Phototransistors. The LED is slightly behind the Phototransitors so they can only see the reflected light when the reflected tape is directly above both the LED and the corresponding phototransistor  The Phototransitor then completes the circuit activating the appropriate electromagnet.   I am not sure if the electromagnets would need to go inside or outside of the magnetic ring, I guess that would depend on what is more effective, are we pushing or pulling, and what required the lowest amount of energy / heat to maintain a stable levitation.

[Pirate88179]

Nink:

I think you are heading in the right direction there.  I just wish I had one to rip apart, ha ha.

Will an electro mag. work using AC?  (I can't remember if it will)  Because, if so, then won't the poles swap polarity at whatever freq. the AC is?

Bill

PS  I just looked it up and it will work.  So, could we not simply adjust the ac freq. to get the balance we need to hover a given weight?  Maybe use an air capacitor like in a radio?  Of course, we still need the surrounding perm mags to keep it centered but, I think it might be possible to simply "tune" the air cap. to adjust the freq to keep the ring magnet hovering.

Just a thought.