Low response time solenoid valves
Low response time solenoid valves
(OP)
I'm working on a new type of engine I invented. In part of the engine cycle water is injected to cool the gasses and create a vaccum. I am planning to use a solenoid valve to control the spraying of water into the engine. The timing for this is extremely important. What I need is a solenoid valve where the time it takes for the plunger to open and close completely is very low (10 millisecond to do both would be the maximum that would be acceptable but faster would definately be better). The time it takes to energize the coil will also matter some but since I am designing the electronics to controll this I should be able to compensate for this by simply sending the signals to open the valve slightly in advance.
It needs to be able to pump about 10 to 15 gpm and I was planning to have the water be at about 100 psi or less although I am somewhat flexible on this stuff if there is a valve out there that has a good response time.
I have searched google and most of the vavles either don't state the response time, have slow ones, or have extremely low flow rates. If anybody knows of any valves that might meet my criteria that would be a huge help.
thanks,
Mike
It needs to be able to pump about 10 to 15 gpm and I was planning to have the water be at about 100 psi or less although I am somewhat flexible on this stuff if there is a valve out there that has a good response time.
I have searched google and most of the vavles either don't state the response time, have slow ones, or have extremely low flow rates. If anybody knows of any valves that might meet my criteria that would be a huge help.
thanks,
Mike





RE: Low response time solenoid valves
RE: Low response time solenoid valves
Can you provide more data on the size limitations of the valve if any?
RE: Low response time solenoid valves
RE: Low response time solenoid valves
The fastest valves I know of were used for the Voyager RCS thrusters, and had response times of about 4 ms (0.004 seconds). They were made by Moog, and cost a bundle. EG&G Wright components also made similar valves, which could achieve similar response times if operated per above. Marotta had some too. You may be able to get under 10 ms with an off-the-shelf direct acting solenoid valve, if operated as noted above. Try over-driving a 12V solenoid with up to 24 vdc for a brief period (10ms or so) to "kick" the valve into possibly faster response times.
To measure response times, set up a dual-trace o-scope to measure coil voltage and current, and watch for a telltale "spike" (really more of a dip or bounce) in the rising/falling current trace to tell when the plunger has moved.