Electronics Would This Setup for a Ball Bearing Accelerator Work?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a design for accelerating a ball bearing down wire tracks using an inductive coil activated by a proximity sensor. The proposed method involves placing the coil below the tracks to maintain the ball's stability during acceleration. Key considerations include whether the ball will roll or slide, as this affects kinetic energy loss due to rotational energy or friction. The skin effect is noted as a limiting factor for the magnetic field's effectiveness, suggesting that a hollow sphere or aluminum ring may enhance launch speed. Additionally, there is a query about the efficiency of using a toroid versus a bar core inductor for generating the magnetic field, alongside a request for clarification on the Q-factor and the suitability of iron versus ferrite cores for the application.
WorldWiz
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
TL;DR Summary
Proposal to Use an Inductor Coil underneath Wire Tracks to Accelerate Ball Bearings
I need a method to accelerate a ball bearing down a pair of wire tracks, and to generate a consistent amount of force on every activation. Please critique my tentative design:

I want to use an inductive coil activated by a proximity sensor to generate a transient EM field to accelerate the ball bearing. Since the ball just runs on a pair of wires, I think I may need to place the coil below the tracks (rather than run the tracks through the center of a solenoid), so that there will be some force keeping the ball from flying off the tracks.

As follow-up questions, I’m also wondering if I would get better current to field strength efficiency with a toroid core inductor coil or with a bar core inductor coil generating the attractive magnetic field? I also don’t entirely understand the Q-factor, so for my purposes, would an iron core or a ferrite core be a better choice?

Thanks for your help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
WorldWiz said:
I need a method to accelerate a ball bearing down a pair of wire tracks, and to generate a consistent amount of force on every activation. Please critique my tentative design:
Will the ball roll or slide as it travels along the tracks ?
If it rolls, the kinetic energy will be reduced by the rotational energy.
If it slides, the kinetic energy will only be reduced by friction.
If both, the velocity will be unpredictable.

Skin effect will limit the depth of the ball subjected to the magnetic field pulse. The currents and magnetic field, induced in the surface of the ball, will rotate with the ball. You might get a greater launch speed from a hollow sphere, or an aluminium ring.
 
WorldWiz said:
As follow-up questions, I’m also wondering if I would get better current to field strength efficiency with a toroid core inductor coil or with a bar core inductor coil generating the attractive magnetic field?
So you didn't read my replies in your other thread? That is most disappointing...
 
Three rabbits will be wintering in a 2m x 2m x 2m wooden hut. Outside temperature does not go below -30c (-22f) Planning to put a 50cm by 50cm 1mm thick stainless steel sheet on the floor of the hut (inside off course) My plan is to heat the sheet with a 50w PTC heater element https://fi.rsdelivers.com/product/dbk-enclosures/fg135600/dbk-enclosures-heating-element-75mm-50-w-100-240-v/dc/2995922?backToResults=1 Is this heater (50W) enough to keep the pad warm enough to sustain liquid...
Hey all. I'm looking to buy a zero-turn mower and I need to build/purchase a ramp to get it into my shed for storage. Exact model is this one. I need to figure out how long of a ramp I need to make sure the mower doesn't bottom out when driving up and down the ramp. Mower stats: Wheelbase: approximately 76 inches. Height: 4.5 inches (based off the highest setting on the deck height adjustment) Shed entrance is 12 inches off the ground. The manufacturer says that the mower can handle...
Thread 'The "Sun Scoop" Tracking solar cooker!'
My solar cooker is a DIY proof of concept. Ideally it should be made with a metal frame but I can't do that so it is wood with protective aluminum foil. The idea is to concentrate the light in a 6 inch diameter ball near the bottom of the cooking pot. It is called Sun Scoop because even though it is a part of a paraboloid, it looks like a big scoop. It is on "equatorial mount" that just means it rotates on an axis that points exactly in line with the earths axis. (In my case...

Similar threads

Back
Top