An automatic car wash usually has a solenoid valve.
The notion of solenoid valve is used in the field of mechanics . The term refers to a valve that works thanks to an electromagnet and that allows the control of a pneumatic or hydraulic circuit .
To understand what a solenoid valve is, as can be seen, you must pay attention to several concepts. Let's start with the idea of a valve : it is a mechanism that regulates the flow or passage of a fluid.
In the case of the solenoid valve, the valve is activated by an electromagnet . This is the name given to an artificial magnet that has a soft iron core with a coil around it, through which an electric current passes.
Operation of a solenoid valve
An electromagnet, then, is the piece that allows the activation of a solenoid valve to regulate a circuit . The electromagnet in question has a solenoid coil that creates the magnetic field necessary for the valve to operate.
The solenoid enables the conversion, through magnetism , of electrical energy into mechanical energy . This mechanical energy moves the valve.
What the solenoid valve does is open or close to allow or reject the passage of fluid through a pipe. It should be noted that the solenoid valve can only adopt two positions (fully open or fully closed), unlike motorized valves that accept intermediate positions.
Classification according to type
It is possible to differentiate between direct or simple solenoid valves and assisted solenoid valves . Simple solenoid valves remain open or closed depending on the electrical supply.
These solenoid valves can be closed at rest and open by the intervention of a spring when the solenoid coil is activated when receiving electrical power , or remain normally open if there is no electrical power and closed by the spring when the coil is activated.
In assisted solenoid valves , however, the solenoid is not responsible for controlling the valve directly, but rather acts on a secondary valve, while the main valve operates with the energy provided by the pressure of the fluid.
With a solenoid valve, an irrigation system can be automated.
Uses of the solenoid valve
Solenoid valves are used in numerous devices and systems . Its purpose is always the same: to manage the passage of a fluid, allowing its advance at certain times and blocking it at others.
A coffee maker , a fuel pump , and an automatic car wash may have a solenoid valve. Also a washing machine , an irrigation system and a fountain of dancing waters , for example .
Automation of an irrigation system
Let's look in depth at the case of the irrigation system . The solenoid valve is the device that is responsible for opening and closing the flow of water , which acts precisely as a stopcock.
The peculiarity of the solenoid valve is that it obeys programming , which allows irrigation to be automated. In other words: it is not necessary for a person to manually open and close the passage since these actions depend on the electrical signals sent by the programmer.
As in the rest of the solenoid valves, the solenoid makes it possible to transform the electrical signal into the physical movement that opens or closes the valve. If the solenoid valve needs to be operated manually, the solenoid must be unscrewed.