Controlling a mechanical piston and a thermal resistance with Arduino

Abstract: The project consists of controlling a mechanical piston and thermal resistance using an Arduino’s microcontroller. The piston and the thermal resistance take part of an existing project. This project, known as The electronic nose, has the purpose to measure the aroma of different products. In order to achieve this purpose, this tool is a combination of various sensors used to detect gases by generating signals for an analysis system. The project can be divided in different parts; electrical circuit design of piston and thermal resistance, design mechanical parts and components needed, develop a software able to control the piston and the thermal resistance and communication between software. The piston is installed on the bottom part of hollow cylindrical case and the thermal resistance is located inside a cylindrical base. This base, where the sample for smelling is put up, is bound on the top of the piston. Arduino controls the piston up and down movement and the temperature in the sample’s base. On the other hand, the electronic nose is installed at the top of the case. Through its sensors, The electronic nose is able to measure the aroma of some products. The aroma comes from the gases of the sample and they can be detected by the sensors. The purpose of installing the piston in the electronic nose is to get a pulse signal during the measure of these gases. Moreover, is very important keep the temperature of the sample under control, therefore the software is based on a on/off controller. A on/off controller calculates continuously the difference between a desired temperature set point and the temperature measured during process. In order to minimize this difference value the controller turn on or off the resistance during a specific instant time.