Inductive Sensors for Traffic Lights: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
==The Main Idea== | ==The Main Idea== | ||
The inductive sensors used in traffic sensors are very interesting pieces of equipment. They are the black loops of wire that you may have noticed on the surface of roads near an intersection. These loops of wire have a constant current flowing through them. When a large conductor, like the bottom of a car or truck, passes over the loop of wire, the electric field in the wire is altered and this change can be detected by an element like a transistor to signal a processor to change the light from green to yellow. | |||
===A Mathematical Model=== | ===A Mathematical Model=== | ||
Revision as of 18:57, 6 December 2015
Induction is the electromagnetic concept of moving a conductor over a region of magnetic field in order to generate a current. It can also be applied to detect changes in electric fields, which is how it is very useful in creating sensors, such as those used in regulating traffic under traffic lights on major roads.
The Main Idea
The inductive sensors used in traffic sensors are very interesting pieces of equipment. They are the black loops of wire that you may have noticed on the surface of roads near an intersection. These loops of wire have a constant current flowing through them. When a large conductor, like the bottom of a car or truck, passes over the loop of wire, the electric field in the wire is altered and this change can be detected by an element like a transistor to signal a processor to change the light from green to yellow.
A Mathematical Model
What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.
A Computational Model
How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript
Examples
Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible
Simple
Middling
Difficult
Connectedness
- How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
- How is it connected to your major?
- Is there an interesting industrial application?
History
Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
See also
Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context?
Further reading
Books, Articles or other print media on this topic
External links
Internet resources on this topic
References
This section contains the the references you used while writing this page