Application Examples

There are many varied uses for rotary and linear solenoids. Here, we have listed just a few practical examples.

Solenoid applications vary across various industries, from simple locking devices to fast laser operation, automotive gearboxes, aerospace release mechanisms, and medical clamping devices to industrial diverters.

Locking Applications

Solenoids are frequently used in locking mechanisms, and the scope of locking applications includes many industries.

Obvious uses include door locking in hotels, offices and secure areas, vending machines, remote access systems, turnstiles, car parks and access barriers.

The list is extensive. Latching can be mechanical or magnetic, and the primary function can suit the application to include single-acting solenoids, bi-stable solenoids, two-directional solenoids, or holding solenoids.

Automotive Applications

Automation within automobiles is now more commonplace than ever.

The most frequent use of a solenoid is an interlock device for integration into an automatic gearbox drive selector. The function prevents selecting “drive” without receiving a release signal from the brake pedal; starting is only possible when parked.

Similar applications include ignition-operated steering column interlocks with gear selection. Other solenoid uses include petrol cap locking, in-car entertainment release mechanisms, anti-vibration engine mountings, air conditioning control and security systems.

Automotive applications are not just for cars. We supply solenoids for integration into joystick controls for agricultural machinery, lorry systems and many other automotive applications.

Medical Applications

Medical solenoid applications demand high accuracy in force and stroke and stringent standards that ensure reliability and long life.

Typical examples include dialysis machines, dosing equipment and blood pressure monitoring devices.

Inside dialysis machines, two solenoids act in tandem to control different blood flow levels during the dialysis process. Plastic tubes carrying the blood are squeezed at a pre-determined rate to precise clamping requirements.

Here the force stroke diagram defined by the application calls for the optimum use of magnetic flux technology.

Simple dosing machines are equivalent to the mechanical operation of a syringe.

Despite the straightforward application, the rate of stroke and the force profile of a dosing solenoid are critical; this ensures that dosing can take place directly into the body.

Railway Applications

Applications within the railway industry are remarkably diverse, including functions on locomotives, rolling stock, tracks, signals and power distribution, as well as general uses in maintenance and building.

Passenger turn-styles operated by tickets use standard variant bi-stable linear solenoids selected for long life.

Safety interlocks on passenger car doors use a solenoid-operated mechanism controlled remotely by the train manager.

These are just some examples of experiences we have within the railway industry.

Industrial Applications

The use of solenoids is extensive. Anywhere that electrical power is required to achieve a movement becomes an application for a solenoid.

Some general use examples are locking, cutting, clamping, punching, positioning, diverting, holding or rotating.