A solenoid plunger is a ferrous metal rod that moves linearly when an electromagnetic field is created in the pocket of a solenoid coil. It is used to control various equipment and is usually spring-loaded. Solenoid plungers can be solid or made up of thin plates.
A solenoid piston is the moving part of a solenoid that transfers linear motion from the solenoid to the component it is designed to operate. The plunger is typically a ferrous metal rod of square or round section designed to fit into the pocket of the solenoid coil. The electromagnetic field that is created in the pocket of the solenoid coil when the device is activated drags the plunger into the pocket, thus providing the aforementioned linear movement. The solenoid plunger is usually spring loaded, which serves to return it to its neutral position when power to the solenoid is cut. Solenoid plungers can be of solid construction or be rolled from several thinner layers of steel depending on the specifications of the particular device.
Solenoids are among the most commonly used methods of providing remote or automated control in a wide variety of applications. These devices use electromagnetic forces to transfer linear motion via linkages to control a range of equipment including valves, ventilation dampers and machine components. They typically consist of a coil of static wire with a pocket or open core in the center. The solenoid plunger is the moving element of the solenoid and is generally in the form of a square or round rod or bar made of various ferrous alloys.
When in the neutral or inactive position, the plunger is typically positioned with its end near or just inside the coil pocket opening. When an electric current is passed through the coil, an electromagnetic field is created which attracts the solenoid plunger, pulling it sharply into the pocket of the coil. The plunger is, in turn, connected via various types of linkages to the object or equipment that the solenoid controls. The movement of the plunger then provides the linear motion required by the control process.
The solenoid plunger usually works against strong spring pressure when activated. The magnetic field is strong enough to overcome the spring tension while the solenoid is actuated, but, when power is removed, the spring pulls or pushes the plunger back to its neutral position. This effectively resets the process and prepares the solenoid for another duty cycle. Solenoid plungers can be solid round or square bars or made up of many thin plates stacked together and secured with pins or rivets. This measure is usually a method of countering the stray currents in the coil and plunger, making the solenoid operate more efficiently and at a lower temperature.
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