Process Solenoid Valves
The human race uses a wide array of different substances in its everyday activities. These substances range from the simple to the toxic and they come in all forms: solid, gas, and liquid. Solid substances are easily handled with a variety of methods but it is those substances that are not solid, but fluid in some way, that can become a problem as far as handling and transportation is concerned. Process solenoid valves and other solenoid valves are one of the many ways that people have discovered to transport and control liquids and gases throughout the various processes that we need them for.
A valve is one of those simple devices that have been devised by man for a number of different uses. In its simplest form a valve is a mechanical device that allows one to control the flow of a liquid or gas. The valve can be opened to allow the substance to pass through or closed to stop it from moving. There are many different kinds of valves and one of the trustworthiest and easy to use is the solenoid valve like the process solenoid valve.
A process solenoid valve works with the help of a solenoid. A solenoid is a coiled piece of wire through which a current can be sent. Once a current is sent through the solenoid, the wire loops attract one another through electromagnetic force. The solenoid contracts and becomes smaller. If the current is switched off then the electromagnetic force is removed and the solenoid returns to its original form. A solenoid, therefore, turns electrical energy into mechanical energy and it is this characteristic that is used in a process solenoid valve.
At its simplest form, a solenoid keeps a pin in a valve in place. This pin allows pressure to build up on the inside of a diaphragm that is kept in place by a fairly weak spring. Once the solenoid contracts, the pin moves upward and allows the liquid or gas to move through the small opening. This release of pressure means that the pressure from the incoming pipe is high enough to push open the diaphragm and to allow the liquid or gas to flow. Once the current is switched off, the pin returns to its position and the sudden build-up of pressure seals the diaphragm again. While this is a very simple explanation of how a solenoid or process solenoid valve works, its does give one a rough idea of the usefulness of these valves.
A process solenoid valve turns electrical energy into mechanical energy that allows one to control the flow of liquids or gases. This means that a person does not have to be near the actual valve to open or close it making it much safer to transport and control sometimes dangerous substances. There are many different kinds of valves that are used everyday and the solenoid valve is but one of many different kinds.
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