- #1
eNathan
- 352
- 2
My idea is to create a flotation device that would have a strong electromagnet at the top, this pulling objects upwards, just enough to cancel out gravity. A computer software will determine how much power to send to the electromagnet by knowing exactly how close the object is to the electromagnet using sensors of some sort.
So basically, when the metalic object starts going upwards towards the electromagnet, the software will lower the power of the electromagnent to let it start to fall back down due to gravity. Then it powers back up once it gets a bit too low. If a fairly constant equillibrium can be reached, the object should appear to float (perhaps wobbling up and down a bit, however).
How would I do this? I'm a software engineer so I can handle that aspect of it. What type of sensors would I use to know how high the object is getting? Would it be realistically posible to have the computer software process that and lower the power to the electromagnent in just enough time? The only type of sensor I could think is a web cam, coupled with a software to process the images.
Also, I really don't understand much about electromagnetism, but I'm willing to learn. What equations do I need to learn and perhaps impliment? From my observation of magnents, it seems that once a metal object gets into a certian range, it just absolutly flies up to the magnent. It's not some sort of slow progression. What are the equations to express all this, like magnent strength, movement, etc? As the software would have to know exactly how to modify the power output.
(Note: Please, no unnessasary pessimism towards my project unless you have a genuine reason as to why it can't suceed.)
Thanks!
So basically, when the metalic object starts going upwards towards the electromagnet, the software will lower the power of the electromagnent to let it start to fall back down due to gravity. Then it powers back up once it gets a bit too low. If a fairly constant equillibrium can be reached, the object should appear to float (perhaps wobbling up and down a bit, however).
How would I do this? I'm a software engineer so I can handle that aspect of it. What type of sensors would I use to know how high the object is getting? Would it be realistically posible to have the computer software process that and lower the power to the electromagnent in just enough time? The only type of sensor I could think is a web cam, coupled with a software to process the images.
Also, I really don't understand much about electromagnetism, but I'm willing to learn. What equations do I need to learn and perhaps impliment? From my observation of magnents, it seems that once a metal object gets into a certian range, it just absolutly flies up to the magnent. It's not some sort of slow progression. What are the equations to express all this, like magnent strength, movement, etc? As the software would have to know exactly how to modify the power output.
(Note: Please, no unnessasary pessimism towards my project unless you have a genuine reason as to why it can't suceed.)
Thanks!