IQS Newsroom Articles on Pneumatic Valves
Pneumatic Valves
Pneumatic valves regulate the flow of air and gas using diaphragms and gas
pressure. While some pneumatic valves regulate air or gas flow at relatively
normal pressures, such as in home heating and cooling, other pneumatic valves
are designed to output gas at extremely high pressures. These types of high-pressure
releasing valves are often used to power tools such as jackhammers, guns, riveters
and power cleaners.
Not all pneumatic valves are controlled by solenoids, but those that are solenoid
are controlled remotely through sensors, electrical triggers or hysteresis
(programmable device memory). A solenoid is a metal coil which can be magnetized
into an electromechanical device, moving valve parts when triggered electrically.
Pneumatic valves that use solenoids are often called "piloted valves",
since they are actually a combination of a pneumatic valve and a small piloting
solenoid vent chamber. The pneumatic valve chamber is designed similarly to
normal pneumatics chambers, with a diaphragm sealing the valve with the help
of air pressure within the input chamber; the solenoid operates a small vent
chamber, venting the chamber when triggered and causing the pneumatic chamber
to change pressure and allow flow. The pneumatic solenoid valve functions through
changes in gas pressure activated remotely by the solenoid.
Pneumatic air valves are convenient for multiple-line valves, since air can
be easily compressed and directed to different outlets. Solenoid pilots make
applications like space heating easy to automate, activate or trigger remotely.
Pneumatic solenoid valves are used widely for many different industries, and
applications may include compressed air-powered tools such as jackhammers and
nailguns, vacuums, ventilation systems, laser printers, medical and dental
air-powered equipment. Because strong force can be largely self-generated within
pneumatic valve chambers, pneumatic valves are valued for their low energy
requirement. Pneumatic air valves are also considered cleaner and lower maintenance
than many fluid valves.