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solenoid valve design

solenoid valve design

solenoid valve design

(OP)
I'm designing a low profile 3-position system using a DC solenoid(s) to create the motion/forces necessary.  To maintain a minimum height - I was planning on using a non-magnetic conical spring (brass/bronze) residing within the bore that will return the plunger to its de-energized origin.  Any background info on this concept (good/bad experience)?

Also - are there any inherent probelms / disadvantages with using a permanent magnet plunger (alnico, ceramic, ...) to be able to provide both a pull and return push force by reversing the current?  Any experience with this would be helpful.

thanks
Ron

RE: solenoid valve design

Do you mean push/pull without a spring at all?

In the event of a loss of power, the valve's position will be indeterminate.  Depending on the application, that may or may not present a problem.

Also, the valve become polarity sensitive.  Wiring errors will cause problems.

RE: solenoid valve design

(OP)
"Do you mean push/pull without a spring at all?" Yes - at least to provide the force for the operation - I'll still use a spring to set the default de-energized state.

Can you elaborate on the polarity sensitive issue?

thanks,
Ron

RE: solenoid valve design

If you design the valve as:

Terminal 1 positive and Terminal 2 ground = "push"

and

Terminal 1 ground and terminal 2 positive = "pull"

and the wires get switched, then the valve will operate opposite to what you expect.

RE: solenoid valve design

(OP)
OK, thats what I thought.  That shouldn't be a problem as this will only be used in one application.and all the wiring will be done in-house.

thanks

RE: solenoid valve design

Hi rmetzger

The only thing I would comment on the push/pull solenoid with the spring, is that depending on which direction the plungers moving the magnetic force will either be additive or subtractive with the spring force.

regards desertfox

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