Maglev Levitation

Specialty Plants

MAGLEV: Magnetic Levitation Plant

User Manual

MAGLEV User Manual

Table of Contents
1. MAGLEV Presentation........................................................................................................1
1.1. MAGLEV: System Description...................................................................................1
1.2. MAGLEV: ControlChallenge.....................................................................................2
2. MAGLEV Component Description.....................................................................................2
2.1. Component Nomenclature...........................................................................................2
2.2. ComponentDescription...............................................................................................4
2.2.1. Overall Enclosure (Component #1)......................................................................4
2.2.2. Electromagnet Coil (Component #2)...................................................................4
2.2.3. Pedestal Position Sensor (Component #4)...........................................................4
2.3. MAGLEV System WiringSchematic..........................................................................5
3. MAGLEV Model Parameters..............................................................................................6
4. Wiring Procedure For The MAGLEV.................................................................................7
4.1. CableNomenclature.....................................................................................................7
4.2. Hardware Requirements...............................................................................................9
4.3. Typical Connections For The MAGLEV System......................................................10
4.3.1. Wiring Of The Electromagnet Power Line.........................................................10
4.3.2. WiringOf The Electromagnet Feedback Sensors..............................................10
4.3.3. MAGLEV Wiring Summary..............................................................................12
5. Ball Position Sensor Calibration........................................................................................13
5.1. CalibrationModel......................................................................................................13
5.2. Calibration Procedure................................................................................................14
5.2.1. WinCon Calibration Project...............................................................................14
5.2.2. Zero "Offset" Potentiometer Calibration: At Voltage Zero................................15
5.2.3."Gain" Potentiometer Calibration: At The Maximum Voltage..........................16
6. Obtaining Support..............................................................................................................16

Document Number: 525 ! Revision: 03 ! Page: i

MAGLEV User Manual

1. MAGLEV Presentation
1.1. MAGLEV: System Description
The typical Magnetic Levitation plant, i.e.MAGLEV, is depicted in Figure 1, below,
while levitating in air a steel ball within its
magnetic field. The MAGLEV can be
described by three distinct sections
encased in a rectangular enclosure. First,
the
upper
section
contains
an
electromagnet, made of a solenoid coil
with a steel core. Second, the middle
section consists of an inside chamber
where the magnetic ball suspensionactually takes place. One of the
electromagnet poles faces the top of a
black post upon which a one-inch steel
ball rests. The ball elevation from the post
top is measured using a photo-sensitive
sensor embedded in the post. The post is
designed in such a way that when the ball
rests on top of it, the air gap between the
ball's
top
hemisphere
and
the
electromagnet pole face is 14 mm. The...