Miniature Solenoid Valves

Miniature Solenoid Valves

Miniature solenoid valves allow for electrical devices to regulate fluid and air flow while fitting easily into smaller areas. Miniature solenoid valves control the flow of gases or liquids through tubes, as regular valves do, but unlike other valves, solenoid valves can also be controlled remotely. Offering long-life and low power consumption, miniature solenoid valves are powered by natural pressure as well as electromagnetic force which help to prevent particulate contamination that is caused by the friction of moving parts. In addition to lower friction, having fewer moving parts is also considered to be a good design, since moving parts require maintenance. Small solenoid valves are also easily operated by remote devices that activate the solenoid coil, making solenoid valves extremely useful for operating potentially dangerous machinery or inaccessible lines. Particularly beneficial in the medical industry, miniature solenoid valves are used in medical applications such as gas analyzers, biotechnology equipment, medical diagnostic equipment, gas sampling equipment and portable medical devices since they offer excellent control of acids, analytical reagents and bases. Mini solenoid valves are also used in analytical instrumentation, inkjet, chromatography, OEM, semiconductor and HVAC, vacuum pump and industrial applications.

Miniature solenoid valves are operated electromechanically by a solenoid, which is a magnetized coil activated by electrical charges. Mini solenoid valves control the flow of gases or liquids precisely through targeted electrical charges, sensor cue or by hysteresis (device memory). Miniature solenoid valves must be either normally closed (NC) valves or normally open (NO) valves. In a NC valve, a plunging pin or rod within the valve is held blocking the passage of air or fluid by a solenoid coil; the air or fluid pressure coming into the valve helps keep the valve shut as long as the pin blocks the passage. NO valves are the opposite; they remain open until the solenoid is activated and pushes down the plunger, blocking flow and creating pressure to keep the valve closed. There are also two different methods of operation for miniature solenoid valves: direct-acting and pilot-operated. Direct-acting mini solenoid valves have a plunger that is in direct contact with the in-flow opening in the valve body, or orifice. This plunger is used to open and close the orifice, which permits or hinders flow. The pilot-operated miniature solenoid valve, which is actually a combination of a pneumatic or hydraulic valve and a smaller solenoid valve, works with a diaphragm rather than a plunger, using differential pressure to control the flow of gases or fluids. In addition, miniature solenoid valves can be 2, 3 or even 4 way valves, which refer to the number of inlets or outlets used to control the fluid or gas flow.

Miniature Solenoid Valves Images Provided by Gems Sensors & Controls