What is a four -way solenoid?
4 -way solenoid valve is a device that controls the flow of gases or liquids in several directions. Sometimes it is referred to as "5-port valve", it can be powered by air or electricity, the most common control of air pressure. The reason there are five ports or connection points is to allow air pressure to move the driver or rod back and back inside the valve to control where the liquid goes.
One of the common constructions of four -way solenoid is one input of the liquid and two outlets, the direction of the flow controlling the position of the internal controller. Two more ports, one at each end, are for pressure connection of air. Once the air pressure is introduced at one end, the rod moves and the inner channels allow the fluid to flow in one direction. If air pressure is introduced at the other end, the rod moves in the opposite direction and reveals a different flow channel that allows the liquid to go in a different direction.
These valves are useful because they allow one device to be flowed indifferent directions. They can also be an advantage when the control system only has a minimum connection, so one valve can be used for more than one control task. Four -way solenoid is a simple device with minimal parts and manufacturers test them on thousands of operating cycles to confirm their reliability.
Another type of four -way solenoid is the step valve that uses a shock system to strengthen the valve every time it is activated. The gears inside the valve move the driver to another position every time the air pressure is sent by an electrical signal. This valve can be used to turn on and off in the set order or to activate different systems connected to the valve.
Stepper valves have certain limitations. As long as the valve works, each signal changes the valve to a new position without returning to the previous position. When the signal is lost or the valve cycle is completed, they return to itsOriginal position, which allows you to start the cycle. These valves are best suited for operations that occur in order, called sequential positioning, without having to return or jump to another position. Typical use are lawn sprayers, regeneration of water softeners and chemical treatment of the pool.
with the development of computer -controlled systems at the end of the 20th century, four -way solenoid valves have become "intelligent" systems that could use sensors. Because the signals were sent from different points in the chemical process, solenoid could decide how to work. These valves contained software programming that allowed them to make operating decisions without required to connect to the central control circuit.