Floating sphere (Levitron)

Thanks to clever regulation, the sphere keeps hanging in the balance

Author: bis0uhr, Germany, [email protected]

Online since: 11/08/2010, Number of visits: 608146

Suspension device for levitating sphere magnet K-19-C

Here I present a suspension device in which a K-19-C magnetic sphere levitates.

The electronics are in the pedestal and on top is an electromagnet with sensor (SS495A).

The voltage supply comes from an external power supply unit with 15V direct current.

The functional principle:

An electromagnet (coil) is turned on. The magnetic sphere gravitates towards it. When the sphere gets near the magnet sensor (Hall sensor), the sensor reacts and turns off the electromagnet. In the following, the sphere descends again. The magnet sensor then turns the electromagnet on again and the cycle starts anew. This happens approx. 70 times per second (depending on the distance and the weight of the magnet). That's how the magnet levitates.

Circuit diagram

Material and details:

The coil (electromagnet) is the heart of the Levitron.

A view on the inside: The electromagnet with magnetic field sensor and in the aluminium socket (left). On the right the circuit board.

A view on the inside: The electromagnet with magnetic field sensor and ring magnet R-15-06-06-N in the aluminium socket (left). On the right the circuit board.

View inside the socket: The Hall sensor is fastened in the tip of the socket with a rubber disc.

Here you can see the aluminium base plate with a 99 mm diameter and the two brass bearers.

View from below: Here is room for the electronics on the breadboard plate. The cables for supplying the cupola go through the holes.

Grooves in the brass bearers (6 mm deep, 2 mm wide) to hide the cables that run upwards.

The circuit board was fastened from below with four M3 screws.

Finish:

The cupola with the coil and the sensor is only lodged between the brass bearers. An o-ring (black) provides additional stability. The Hall sensor SS495 is situated in the small "bump" below. The cupola is closed with an aluminium lid.

Below: Also playmobil character Bernd has fun with the Levitron.

Note from the supermagnete team: Other beautiful levitating objects can be found in the project Liquid Levitation Sculptures.

Articles used

K-19-C

Sphere magnet Ø 19 mm, holds approx. 4,9 kg, neodymium, N38, chrome-plated

	5 pcs.	6,30 EUR ea.*
from	15 pcs.	5,72 EUR ea.*
from	40 pcs.	5,30 EUR ea.*
from	80 pcs.	5,04 EUR ea.*
Ask for a rebate from 450 pcs.

Available: 3 960 pcs.

R-15-06-06-N

Ring magnet Ø 15/6 mm, height 6 mm, holds approx. 5,1 kg, neodymium, N42, nickel-plated

	1 pc.	2,52 EUR ea.*
from	3 pcs.	2,22 EUR ea.*
from	10 pcs.	1,94 EUR ea.*
from	20 pcs.	1,81 EUR ea.*
from	40 pcs.	1,70 EUR ea.*
Ask for a rebate from 450 pcs.

Available: 51 022 pcs.

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keywords

Floating ( 24 )
Levitation ( 9 )
Academic ( 28 )
Demanding ( 42 )
Impressive ( 54 )
Electricity ( 32 )
Experiment ( 80 )
Decorative ( 146 )

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