1. Implementation of a Hall Effect Sensor for Position Control in a Solenoid Valve
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Advisor: Professor Kumar
Group 23:
Ryan Forcier
Michael Scott
Mahesh Bhandari

2. Parker Hannifin Corporation
A world leader in motion control technologies and systems.
Annual sales exceeding $13 billion with employment of approximately 58,000 people in 49 countries
Fluid Control Division located in New Britain, CT.

3. Parker Solenoid Valve
Valve controls fluid in varied industrial applications
Solenoid creates magnetic field from applied current which moves magnetic plunger opening or closing valve
Spring returns plunger to normal position when coil is inactive

4. Problem
Current solenoid valves have no sensor to determine plunger position
Position feedback would allow for easier maintenance, testing and control of valves

5. Hall Effect Sensor
Hall effect sensor detects changes in magnetic fields
Hall Effect sensors (HES) produce voltage output when exposed to a changing magnetic field

6. Operation with Hall Effect Sensor
When the plunger moves, the HES detects a change in the magnetic field
Micro-controller reads HES’s voltage output
Microcontroller sends information to computer via USB

7. Deliverables
Demonstration of working solenoid valve with a position sensor
The sensor will be linked to a laptop displaying the position of valve plunger
Positioning of sensor will be supported by finite element analysis and multiple trials on test valve

8. Approach Finite Element Analysis Sensor Placement
Electrical Circuit/Signals Processing
Sensor Testing

9. Finite Element Analysis
Solenoid valve will be modeled using AutoCAD and AutoDesk Inventor
Model’s file type will be converted for use in MagNet software
Multiple simulations of the magnetic field of the valve will be modeled in MagNet.

10. Placement of Sensor
Simulation will suggest proper place to implement sensor
A small pocket will be machined into the solenoid valve
Sensor will be secured into the pocket

11. Circuits and Signal Processing
An electrical circuit will be created to buffer the sensor’s signal
Sensor’s output will be directed to a microcontroller
The microcontroller will process the sensor’s signal
Position of valve will be displayed on a computer screen

12. Position Sensor Testing
The Calculated position will be compared to the actual position of the plunger.
Multiple trials will support or undermine from the chosen placement and choice of sensor
Final recommendations for the sensor, as well as its placement, will be reported to our sponsor

13. Timeline E&M Research Sensor Picked Cad Knowledge/practice
Oct
E&M Research
Sensor Picked
Cad Knowledge/practice
Nov
Finished Cad Design
Sensor’s Position
Dec
Tweak model
Signals processing
Jan
Physical Solenoid Valve
Electrical Component
Feb
Machining
Circuits
March
Finish building
Test runs
April
Final touch
Prepare for demo day

14. Personnel Experience Ryan- Electrical circuits and microcontrollers
Mahesh- Machining, CAD
Michael- CAD, Technical Writing

15. Personnel Responsibilities
Ryan- Sponsor Communication, Electrical Circuit
Mahesh- Advisor Communication, Mag-Net modeling
Michael- AutoCAD modeling, Final Report Edit

16. Meeting Structure Weekly meetings with advisor
Weekly meetings with Sponsor
Biweekly meetings with group

17. Work To Date Research of Hall Effect Sensor
Basic Research of Electricity and Magnetism
Basic software tutorial: MagNet and Inventor

18. Questions

19. Grade A,B,C with clicker