Solenoids convert energy into linear motion using electromagnetic fields, compressed air, or hydraulic fluid. They are found in various machines and tools, from electric bells to jackhammers. Solenoids can be manual or electric, with a metal cylinder serving as a piston. Compressed air and hydraulic fluid can also power solenoids, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications. When the solenoid releases its energy, the piston returns to its original position. Hydraulic solenoids are the most powerful and are used for the heaviest projects, such as bending titanium.
A
the solenoid is a device that converts energy into linear motion. This
energy can come from an electromagnetic field, a pneumatic (driven by air)
chamber or a hydraulic cylinder (filled with liquid). These devices are
commonly found in electric bells, automotive starting systems,
industrial jackhammers and many other machines that suddenly rely on
power blast to move a specific part.
In
in order to understand the underlying principle, a person can examine a
typical pinball machine. At the start of the game, a steel ball rests
on a rubber-tipped plunger that is held in place by a squeeze
springy, which means that it has no energy to move the ball when it is at rest. The
the player’s hand provides additional energy as the plunger assembly is
pulled back. Upon release, the spring forces nearly all of the plunger
the kinetic energy of the pin on a small area of the steel ball. The ball is
thrown into the playing field and the pinball game begins. This manual
the plunger is a rudimentary example of a solenoid.
The project
difficulty with using manual pinball plungers on other machines is that
someone has to constantly pull the spring back and release the energy from
hand. An improved solenoid would provide its own means of retreat
on the pin and releasing it under control. This is the underlying principle
a simple electric one, in which a metal cylinder serves as
“piston”.
A
the compression spring holds this metal pin partially out of an an
electromagnetic case. When powered by battery or electric
the generator runs around the electromagnet, the metal pin or the cylinder is
magnetically pulled into the housing, just like the player’s hand pulls
the plunger in the pinball machine example. When the electric current
stops, the pin is released and the compression spring pushes it forward
with significant force. The pin can strike the inside of a bell or
forcefully eject a part from a stamping machine. Many electronic
machines contain numerous solenoids.
Other
types depend on compressed air for their power. A single piston can be
placed in a hermetic cylinder connected to a source of
highly compressed air. A strong internal spring can hold the piston in
until the air pressure has reached a predetermined level and then
the piston is released. Compressed air can escape as the as
the piston advances.
Why
the energy given off by a solenoid can be concentrated, pneumatic
they are popular for heavy-duty tools and machining applications that require
substantial power. A jackhammer is a good example of this type in
action. The central piston is pushed into the concrete by the air, thus the
the recoil of the hammer brings the piston back to the original
position.
An
an even more powerful solenoid uses hydraulics as a power source.
The piston or piston pin is housed in a cylinder filled with a hydraulic
fluid. As this hydraulic fluid fills the cylinder, everything is pushed
forward, including the piston or piston pin. As the piston moves towards a
piece of metal or other target, the fluid buildup becomes very resistant
to the compression and the piston will concentrate all the
energy on anything it encounters, even the heaviest titanium.
when
the solenoid has released all of its energy, the hydraulic fluid is discharged
out of the chamber and the piston is restored to its original condition
position. This action can happen in seconds. This type
it is so powerful that it is generally only used for the heaviest
projects. The wave pools use them to release the giant corks to the
bottom of their holding tanks. Aircraft manufacturers use this type for
bend titanium and other heavy metals.
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