The Difference Between Solenoid Valves and Proportional Valves
A proportional valve is a new type of hydraulic control device. In conventional pressure valves, flow valves, and directional valves, a proportional solenoid replaces the original control component, continuously and proportionally distributing the pressure, flow rate, or direction of the oil outlet according to the input electrical signal for long-distance control. Proportional valves generally have pressure compensation characteristics, ensuring that the output pressure and flow rate are not affected by load changes.
With the rapid development of hydraulic transmission systems and hydraulic servo systems, practical applications have seen the emergence of hydraulic transmission systems that require continuous control of pressure, flow rate, and direction, but do not require extremely high control precision. Because ordinary hydraulic components cannot meet the requirements of certain servo motor characteristics, and using natural gas-specific solenoid valves results in excessive consumption due to insufficient control precision, proportional control valves have emerged in recent years, falling between general hydraulic components (switching control) and hydraulic valves (continuous control).
A hydraulic proportional control valve (commonly known as a proportional valve) is essentially an inexpensive hydraulic control valve with good anti-fouling properties. The rapid development of proportional valves has occurred through two main paths. First, proportional electromagnets replaced the manual adjustment input mechanism of traditional hydraulic solenoid valves, leading to the development of various proportional position, pressure, and flow valves based on existing hydraulic solenoid valves. Second, some original electro-hydraulic servo valve manufacturers developed these valves by reducing production precision.
A solenoid valve is a mechanical device controlled by electromagnetic induction. It is a fundamental component of fluid automation technology, belonging to the actuator category, and is not limited to hydraulic or pneumatic types. It is used in power control systems to regulate the direction, flow rate, velocity, and other parameters of the medium. Solenoid valves can also use different types of power circuits to achieve the desired control, while ensuring control precision and flexibility. There are many types of solenoid valves, each playing a different role in controlling various parts of the system. Common types include single-sided pressure regulating valves, valves, position control valves, and efficiency regulating valves.
The solenoid valve has a closed cavity with embedded holes at various points. Each hole connects to a different type of oil supply pipe. A piston rod sits in the center of the cavity, and there are two solenoid valves on either side. Whichever side's coil is energized will attract the oil circuit board. By controlling the movement of the control valve body, different types of oil inlet and outlet ports are opened or closed. With the inlet and outlet ports open or closed, oil enters the different types of oil supply pipes. The oil pressure then actuates the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder, which in turn pushes the hydraulic cylinder, which in turn drives the electronic device. Thus, by controlling the electrical flow of the solenoid valve with signal feedback, the molecular thermal motion is controlled.
