What’s a Solenoid Pump?

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A solenoid pump is a fluid transfer device that uses the reciprocating motion of an electromagnetic solenoid piston to transport fluid through a sealed suction chamber. These pumps use the motion provided by a solenoid coupled to the positive displacement characteristics of a diaphragm or piston to move the fluid and are generally used where precise, low volume pumping is required. The mechanism usually consists of a conventional solenoid coil with a plunger attached to a diaphragm or piston. When energized, the electromagnetic field around the coil attracts the plunger, powering one stage of the cycle with a spring that returns the plunger when the coil is de-energized, thus providing the second stage. This functionality depends on a pulsed power supply that turns the coil on and off and is usually provided by a separate controller.

There are two distinct mechanisms that make up the average solenoid pump. The first is a solenoid consisting of a wire-wound static coil and a movable plunger. This part of the device works in the same way as most solenoids in other applications and relies on the magnetic field created around the coil when an electric current is passed through it. This magnetic field acts on the ferrous metal plunger by moving it rapidly towards the coil. When power is cut off to the coil, a spring returns the plunger to its rest or neutral position.

The second part of the solenoid pump is a positive displacement pump mechanism. Positive displacement refers to the mechanism that moves the fluid through its internal space by displacing it through the action of a reciprocating element. Generally, in a solenoid pump, this element is a piston or diaphragm and is reciprocated or moved back and forth continuously. Movement is provided courtesy of the solenoid piston which is attached to the piston or diaphragm.

The alternating action of the solenoid pump is achieved by pulsing or alternating power to the solenoid on and off. This causes the plunger to move first in one direction when the magnetic field pulls it, then in the other direction when the spring pulls it back down. Naturally, this action is then repeated by the piston or diaphragm. Pulse power for the solenoid is usually provided by a separate controller, which could be used to control the speed, and therefore the output, of the pump. The solenoid operated pump is able to offer high levels of accuracy and is often used in precision chemical dosing and fuel feed applications.

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