Solenoid Valves and How They Work

Obviously, valves operate in different mechanisms. Majority of valves can be manipulated by manually turning, but there are valves that operate by temperature or pressure. Manually operated valves are used in simple transport applications involving non-abrasive fluids like water and oil. This type of valve, on the other hand, is not used for large-scale applications using bulky pipelines. Large, automatic or power-driven valves are used instead.

Solenoid valves are examples of valves used for regulating high fluid flow. This type of valve consists chiefly of a solenoid and a long, flimsy loop of wire which produces a strong magnetic field when current is applied. The electromagnetic field turns the solenoid into a magnet that can create a controlled linear force. This refers to different transducers that convert electrical energy to mechanical energy.

Other important parts of a solenoid valve include piston, plunger, springs, and diaphragm. The piston is the metal tube that contains the plunger. The solenoid turns it into an electromagnet to pull up and to release the plunger inside. It serves as a dividing surface between the plunger and the coil. Except for the diaphragm, the piston is typically made of hard corrosion-resistant metal.

A solenoid produces a weak magnetic field that can pull the plunger up a bit. However, when applied with direct current, it creates a string magnetic force that can lift the plunger to a desirable elevation, which allows the fluid to flow through the ports. Large solenoid valves such as the Spence E5 Valve are made of huge coils that require a considerable amount of current to produce the necessary magnetism.

The plunger, on the other hand, is partly suspended within the piston through springs on both its ends. When current is applied to the coil, it moves up and pulls the diaphragm upward to allow fluid to enter the ports. When the source of electricity is shut down, the lounger travels back in place and covers the port. This device is employed in valves like the Spence E5 Valve.

The amount of fluid to go through the port is usually determined by how long current is applied on the coil. When the pipeline is closed and fluid is not flowing, the plunger is down and the power supply is shut down. This mechanism presents a number of advantages, including immediate response to fluid flow and does not require direct human intervention. This is why solenoid valves like Spence PRV are widely used.