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The Technology of Proportional Solenoid Valves

Proportional solenoid valves are surprisingly complicated. The way that the valve works is through the balance between the forces in the action of the plunger. This balance is achieved through a mechanical force provided by a specifically-designed spring and a current that passes through the coil that creates a magnetic force. The spring force is opposed by the magnetic force, which keeps the valve in balance. The valve works because the current that passes through the valve heats the coil, which increases the internal resistance. When the resistance is increased, the current drops and the magnetic force drops. This causes the valve to close. When the valve closes, the current and magnetic force can increase, which will cause the valve to open again.

In order to find the best proportional solenoid valves for a specific application, a series of information is necessary. A valve manufacturer will need information including:

The fluid temperature range

The maximum pressure

The minimum pressure

The ambient temperature range

The back pressure range

The type of fluid

When the manufacturer has this information, they can easily create a customized proportional valve that will act precisely according to the needs of the customer. In most cases, a proportional valve needs the extra customization that comes with customized parts. In some cases, it may be possible to use stock proportional solenoid valves, but in general, a customer will find that customized valves perform much better overall and have a longer usage life.

If you are unsure if a proportional valve is right for your use, contact a valve manufacturer. They can help you decide what kind of valve will best suit your needs and will be able to identify the right kind of valve to use for each specific use.