SOLENOIDS

The solenoids are simple electrical

components and it has a vast impacts on daily
life. The term itself is derived from the Greek
name solen, which illustrates a channel or a
pipe. The second part of the name is taken from
the Greek name eidos, which refers to an
outline. Basically, it is a component in the form
of a pipe. The solenoid is used in a variety of
applications, and there are numerous types of
solenoid designs available. Each of them has
their own properties that make it useful in many
precise applications. The various designs of these components do not change their
necessary operating feature and the designing of the solenoids can be done in
different ways. Generally, solenoid works on general electrical principle, but the
mechanical energy of this device is distributed in a different way in different
designs.

A solenoid is a coil of insulated or enameled wire wound on a rod-shaped

form made of solid iron, solid steel, or powdered iron. Devices of this kind can be
used as electromagnets, as inductors in electronic circuits, and as
miniature wireless receiving antennas.

In engineering, the term may also refer to a variety of transducer devices

that convert energy into linear motion. The term is also often used to refer to
a solenoid valve, which is an integrated device containing an electromechanical
solenoid which actuates either a pneumatic or hydraulic valve, or a solenoid
switch, which is a specific type of relay that internally uses an electromechanical
solenoid to operate an electrical switch; for example, an automobile starter
solenoid, or a linear solenoid, which is an electromechanical solenoid.
BASIC WORKING PRINCIPLE OF SOLENOID:

The solenoid consists of a coil of wire with an iron plunger that is allowed to
move through the center of the coil. The figure above shows the solenoid in the
un energized state.

Notice that the plunger is being held about halfway out of the coil by a spring.
When the coil is energized, the resulting magnetic field pulls the plunger to the
middle of the coil. The magnetic force is unidirectional a spring is required to
return the plunger to its unenergized position.

When a current is applied to the solenoid, it has the effect of assembling a

consistent magnetic field. Electricity changes to magnetism then it changes to
electricity and, therefore, these two forces are united into one.

An attractive thing about the uniform field in a solenoid is that, if the

solenoid has an immeasurable length, the magnetic field would be the similar
everywhere along the element. In a solenoid, sometimes this translates to very
small electrical components being able to do a marvelous amount of work. For
instance, a powerful solenoid can simply slam shut a valve that would be
demanding for even the burliest plumber to close by hand.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A PRACTICAL SOLENOID VALVE
A solenoid valve is the combination of a basic solenoid and mechanical
valve. So a solenoid valve has two parts namely- Electrical solenoid, mechanical
valve.

Solenoid converts electrical energy to mechanical energy and this energy is used to
operate a mechanical valve that is to open, close or to adjust in a position.

Image of Working procedure of a typical Solenoid valve:

A typical Solenoid valve working principle.

LIMITATION OF SOLENOID VALVE

The main limitation of the solenoid is its short stroke, which is usually under
an inch.

Still, there are many applications for short-stroke linear motion; examples
are activating electric car-door locks, opening and closing valves, and triggering
mechanical latches.

Most applications use the solenoid as a on or off devicethat is, the coil is
either completely energized or switched off. However, variable-position control is
possible by varying the input voltage.
How does a solenoid work?
A solenoid is simply a specially designed
electromagnet. A solenoid usually consists of a
coil and a movable iron core called
the armature. Here's how it works. When
current flows through a wire, a magnetic field is
set up around the wire.If we make a coil of
many turns of wire, this magnetic field becomes
many times stronger, flowing around the coil
and through its center in a doughnut
shape.When the coil of the solenoid is
energized with current, the core moves to
increase the flux linkage by closing the air gap
between the cores. The movable core is usally
spring-loaded to allow the core to retract when
the current is switched off. The force generated
is approximately proportional to the square of
the current and inversely proportional to the
square of the length of the air gap.

Different Types of Solenoids

There are various Types of Solenoids are available in the market. They differ in
terms of their material, design and function. But all kinds of solenoids depend on
the same electrical principles.

AC Laminated Solenoid
DC CFrame Solenoid
DC DFrame Solenoid
Linear Solenoid
Rotary Solenoid

References:
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/solenoid
http://eblogbd.com/wht-is-solenoid-and-its-basic-working-principle/
http://mechatronics.mech.northwestern.edu/design_ref/actuators/solenoids.html
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/solenoids-understanding-actuation-and-
voltage-polarity/
https://www.elprocus.com/different-types-of-solenoid-working-applications/