III. Description of Hardware

Figure III.1: Rokhvarg Motion Apparatus

A. Solenoids

B. Payload

C. Linear Potentiometer

D. 120 V ac Terminal

E. 120 / 24 V ac Transformer

F. AC-to-DC Bridge Rectifier

G. 4200 μF Capacitor

H. Original Circuit to interface to Controller

I. Adafruit M4 Microcontroller Board

J. Circuit Protoboard to interface to Metro M4

The following 3 web pages will give an overall description of the mechanical hardware. They will give you an overall idea of how to build a similar apparatus, should you wish to. The electronics and embedded hardware will be left to another section.

A. How Solenoids Work in Real-Life - This explains the futility of using the ideal electromagnetic equation to relate the solenoid's current to its pulling force because of nonideal factors such as leakage, varying magnetic permeability, and hysteresis.

B. Formulas for the solenoid force and current - This explains the experimental procedure used to find a mathematical relationship between the solenoid force and current.

C. Payload and Potentiometer - This sections details these other components of the motion plant.