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induced current

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2000-07-12 02:30 in General Discussion
i want to make an object that will glow when placed on top of a table that
i will also build. It can not have any batteries or other power storage.
It has to be less than a half inch cube.

my idea is to induce a current into them by using a set of coils embedded
inside the table, and a set embedded within the objects. If possible, I'd
like to have a microcontroller using that power, but just an led would be
fine for now.

This is essentially like a transformer, but without a core, and also
relatively distant coils.

how should i orient the coils? how should i wind them? can i find them
ready made? is this impossible?

thanks!
-raphael abrams
nyc

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-12 01:24
    Raphael,

    You're building a very inefficient transformer, so I suggest that you begin
    by experimenting:

    Make a large coil, perhaps 1~2 feet in diameter, with many turns of
    20~24ga. wire. Use enough wire to get the total DC resistance up to 4 ohms
    or more. By doing this, you will be able to safely connect it to the output
    of an audio power amplifier, which allows you to easily vary the drive
    frequency (with an audio generator) and power level. Your secondary coil
    uses smaller wire, perhaps 28~30ga., but as any turns as you can fit in the
    available space. An iron or ferrite core (depending on drive frequency) may
    help by concentrating flux. Add a rectifier diode and filter capacitor if
    your load requires DC, but a plain old incandescent lamp wouldn't need them.

    With this lashup, you should quickly get a feel for the possibilities. I
    suspect that coupled power will vary quite a lot with coil positioning, but
    you may be able to transmit enough power to burn out small lamps if you
    feed in 100W or so. Higher drive frequencies will probably work better.
    Some older audio power amps cannot tolerate full power continuous operation
    above 10KHz or so, however. Good luck...

    >i want to make an object that will glow when placed on top of a table that
    >i will also build. It can not have any batteries or other power storage.
    >It has to be less than a half inch cube.
    >
    >my idea is to induce a current into them by using a set of coils embedded
    >inside the table, and a set embedded within the objects. If possible, I'd
    >like to have a microcontroller using that power, but just an led would be
    >fine for now.

    Mike Hardwick, for Decade Engineering -- <http://www.decadenet.com>
    Manufacturer of the famous BOB-II Serial Video Text Display Module!
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2000-07-12 02:30
    Raphael Abrams wrote:
    >
    > i want to make an object that will glow when placed on top of a table that
    > i will also build. It can not have any batteries or other power storage.
    > It has to be less than a half inch cube.
    >
    > my idea is to induce a current into them by using a set of coils embedded
    > inside the table, and a set embedded within the objects. If possible, I'd
    > like to have a microcontroller using that power, but just an led would be
    > fine for now.
    >
    > This is essentially like a transformer, but without a core, and also
    > relatively distant coils.
    >
    > how should i orient the coils? how should i wind them? can i find them
    > ready made? is this impossible?
    >
    > thanks!
    > -raphael abrams
    > nyc

    --
    Best Regards
    Tom Rose
    President ETA

    For Opacity Training and Measurement Services and Products Visit
    http://www.eta-is-opacity.com
    For Baghouse Monitors Visit
    http://www.tartek.com
    Whynot place the object under a laser above the table and sense the
    placement of a translucent object turning the laser on.
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