How Does a Pneumatic Solenoid Valve Work?

Defining a Solenoid Valve The term solenoid usually refers to a coil used to create magnetic fields when wrapped around a magnetic object or core. In engineering terms, the solenoid describes transducer mechanisms used to convert energy into motion. Solenoid valves are controlled by the action of the solenoid and typically control the flow of water or air as a switch. If the solenoid is active (current is applied), it opens the valve. If the solenoid is inactive (current does not exist), the valve stays closed. The action of the pneumatic solenoid is controlled by the use of pneumatics. The opening or closing of a valve is referred to as "changing state."

Pneumatic Actuated Pneumatic actuation refers to a valve being tripped through the use of compressed air (gas). At a particular point in an industrial or manufacturing process, compressed air is released, causing a valve to open or close. The combination of solenoids and pneumatics is twofold. Solenoid valves are used in pneumatic processes and solenoid valves and pneumatic valves are used in combination. The combined valve is called a piloted valve. The larger solenoid valve is triggered by the smaller pneumatic valve. The pneumatic valve can act as an air cylinder contained in a main valve. A pneumatic solenoid valve is also referred to as a compressed air pilot valve. o Solenoid Valve Supplier Fast opening solenoid valve; Safe valve, CE certified. Check! www.SolenoidValvesjd.com Benefits of Piloted Valves Pneumatic valves are usually run by air captured during a previous or ongoing process. Since they are being used to trigger larger valves and aren't requiring more cost, they are a cheaper economical way to power a solenoid valve. Compressed air can result in huge forces available to act on another valve and be recycled after its done its job. Its actual design or footprint is very small, so it doesn't add very much weight to the mechanism.

Types of Pneumatic Solenoid Valves Valves can be designated as internally piloted or externally piloted. The valves can further be categorized by the number of connections or paths for flow they contain. Externally piloted valves use an external source of air pressure. Internally piloted use an internal source of air pressure. Two-way piloted valves can be used in dust collector systems. An internally driven pilot valve with four-way connections are generally found in pneumatic operations and are used to move double action cylinders. Pneumatic solenoid valves can be designed as stackable.

How Do Pneumatic Positioners Work? Pneumatics is the use of air or gas pressure to operate mechanical equipment. A pneumatic valve positioner is used in combination with actuators, or pieces of equipment that uses a source of energy to create movement, and valves, which regulate the flow of the gas to create pressure. Any piece of machinery that uses an actuator and valves to control motion needs a positioner to help maintain the direction of the valve opening. There are a variety of reasons to use a valve positioner, including increasing the speed of changes in a process, minimizing friction and increasing venting. Engines and motors use actuators to help start motion within the electrical system. Valves control the flow of air used to start the actuators. Pneumatic valve positioners help the valve openings get to the correct position to direct the air. The positioner is responsible for

increasing or decreasing the air pressure to the actuator. A controller directs the focus of the valve and the valve positioner works accordingly. Sponsored Links o 4-20mA Loop Pwrd.Isolator TINY PCB-mount/Din-rail hi-density, 0.05% Accuracy , 2kV Isolation www.sapre-process-instruments.com Pneumatic positioners are usually located on the side or top of the actuator and are commonly installed directly on the pillars of the actuator. A feedback arm connects the positioner to the spindles of the actuator. The positioner connects mechanically to the valve stem and is moved in relation to signals received by the controller. Control knobs located on the positioner control the signal that directs the focus of the air, as well as the air supply. Each pneumatic positioner has a minimum and maximum air pressure allotment for efficient performance. If the air pressure exceeds these standards of operation, the positioner will not function properly. During operation, a pneumatic positioner recognizes the signal given from the controller and outputs air pressure as directed. This air pressure toggles the actuator, ensuring that the pressure from the controller and the valve opening align. The positioner can also increase the speed of a valve's response by using an extremely highly pressurized stream of air. Supplying high pressure for the valve and actuator causes the positioner to act a an amplifier for the force provided by the mechanism.

Pneumatic Transmitter Positioner Description Pneumatic Transmitters, Pneumatic Positioners Pneumatic transmitters and pneumatic positioners represent two of the four distinct elements in pneumatic process control systems. Pneumatic transmitters sense process variables such as temperature, flow, pressure, or liquid level and transmit proportional three to 15 pounds per square inch (psi) process signals corresponding to 0 to 100 percent of full range to control instrumentation. Pneumatic positioners receive output signals from pneumatic controllers to position the control valve's opening percentage to keep a process variable at a desired set point.

Pneumatic Transmitters Pneumatic transmitters use a force balance principle that balances an input force change to an output force change to nullify internal motion and increase accuracy. Pressure transmitters usually apply process pressures to diaphragms or bellows to generate linear force that is sensed by a pneumatic pilot that facilitates the output change to the control instrument while internally rebalancing the forces between input and output. Temperature transmitters employ sealed helium bulb elements and bellows to convert temperatures to pressures and linear forces according to the Ideal Gas Law that states that a fixed amount of gas in a fixed volume will increase its pressure proportionately to an increase in temperature. Pneumatic flow transmitters most often use a differential pressure principle which resolves a balance between two opposing pressure diaphragms which is then fed as a single force to the output section of the device, similarly to the simple pressure transmitter. Level sensors may use the differential pressure principle that measures liquid head, or a proportional float mechanism that measures the force change of a partially submerged float as liquid level goes up and down. Sponsored Links o Get New Customers Online Advertise On Google. Get 2000 INR Advertising Credit When You Sign-Up

www.Google.com/AdWords Transmitter Versatility In most cases, the output pilot and force balance feedback mechanisms are identical for all types of pneumatic transmitters since they all convert process inputs into measurable, scalable forces. Scaling or calibration adjustments allow pneumatic transmitters to be adjusted to different ranges according to the specific application. For example, a food manufacturer may require a temperature range of 0 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (degrees F) in a steam cooker, and 0 to 600 degrees F in an oven. Their freezer may require minus 30 degrees F to 100 degrees F. Calibration of zero and span allow the user to set the low point that will transmit three psi output, or zero percent, and 15 psi output corresponding to 100 percent of full range. The same calibration principle would apply to pressures, flows, levels or any other variable transmitted pneumatically.

Pneumatic Positioners Pneumatic positioners are usually supplied as integral parts of pneumatic diaphragm or cylinder actuated control valves. They translate three to 15 psi output signals from remotely located pneumatic controllers to exact linear or rotational valve stem positions. They continually monitor the valve's opening position and correct it as required. This is extremely important to the overall precision and effectiveness of the control system, particularly where the medium flowing through the valve may be under extremely high pressure, or may impart momentum forces to the valve element that would offset the valve from its correct position.

Types of Pneumatics Circuits Pneumatic circuits are systems of cylinders, valves and other components that convert pressurized gas into mechanical work. Pneumatics generally refers to the application of compressed gas as it affects mechanical motion and movement. Pneumatic circuits can be simple or complex sets of interconnected devices which produce and absorb force powered by compressed gas. The system transforms the potential energy of the gas into kinetic energy.

Single-Acting Cylinder with Three-Way Valve This pneumatic circuit consists of a spring-return cylinder and a three-way valve, where the term "way" indicates the number of ports that air passes through. By applying force to the valve, the valve ports will eventually align with air flow. At this point, air travels through the open valve port and pushes the against the cylinder spring. Releasing the button covers the ports, which stops the air flow and causes the spring to extend back out to its neutral position.

Double-Acting Cylinder The double-acting cylinder has a four-way valve system that applies air to both ends of the cylinder. The process is identical to the single-acting system in terms of applying force to align the valve ports and allowing air flow. The difference is in the four-way system. Air flow from the cap-end pair of valves (closer to where you apply force) extends the cylinder outwards; air flow from the rod-end pair of valves (farther from where you apply force) retracts the cylinder. In both cases, an equal amount of air pressure flows in the opposite direction from the cylinder via the out-valve.

Shuttle Valve Application A shuttle valve system has two input ports and one output port. The air chamber contains some type of blocking component, such as a ball, which can seal the input ports. When air

enters the chamber via one input port, it pushes the ball towards the opposite input port. Once the ball seals that input, the only direction the air can flow is towards the output. The output directs air flow towards a cylinder, extending the spring. Releasing the air flow retracts the spring.

How Do Valve Positioners Work? In standard valves, when the valve is given a command to open to a certain point, there is no feedback to verify that the valve has opened to that position. With a valve positioner, the command is given and the valve positioner reads the opening, verifying the position and readjusting until it gets it to the exact position needed. This allows for great precision in the valve adjustment. There are many applications for a valve positioner. Valve positioners are often used in vehicles such as cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, rockets and space vehicles. Valve positioners are also commonly used in the medical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Sponsored Links o Micro/Nanopositioning Compact, high resolution, vacuum, complete systems, customisation www.smaract.de A valve positioner can be used in either linear or rotary valves. There are four basic valve positioner types: pneumatic, electronic, electro-pheumatic and digital. To verify the safety and accuracy of a valve positioner, it should have an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) stamp of approval. Pneumatic valve postioners communicate with air. Electric valve positioners use electric signals; single or three-phase AC or DC current is used. Electro-pneumatic valve positioners take an electric signal and convert it to a pneumatic (air) signal. Digital valve actuators use a microprocessor to monitor the valve accurately.