What is it for?
2006-09-30 16:03:04 · 9 answers · asked by Ejsenstejn 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
In plain english...there are a couple of definitions for solenoid. It commonly refers to an electromagnet which is made by winding a coil of wire around a ferrous core. When the coil is energized by electricity, the currents magnetic field is directed through the iron or other metal core and can be used to pick up other metallic objects.
However, when I think of the word solenoid, I think of a device that has a movable metal core. When the coil is energized, the inner core jumps in or can jump out with a significant force. This solenoid can be used as an actuator to move other objects...think of using it to move robotic fingers or some other similar application. I have attached a link from a manufacturer of this type of solenoid.
By the way, Sea Sher plagerized wikipedia with her directly quoted answer.
2006-09-30 16:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by SkyWayGuy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Solenoid (electricity)
An electrically energized coil of insulated wire which produces a magnetic field within the coil. If the magnetic field produced by the coil is used to magnetize and thus attract a plunger or armature to a position within the coil, the device may be considered to be a special form of electromagnet and in this sense the words solenoid and electromagnet are synonymous. In a wider scientific sense the solenoid may be used to produce a uniform magnetic field for various investigations. So long as the length of the coil is much greater than its diameter (20 or more times), the magnetic field at the center of the coil is sensibly uniform, and the field intensity is almost exactly that given by the equation for a solenoid of infinite length.
When used as an electromagnet of the plunger type, the solenoid usually has an iron or steel casing. The casing increases the mechanical force on the plunger and also serves to constrain the magnetic field. The addition of a butt or stop at one end of the solenoid greatly increases the force on the plunger when the distance between the plunger and the stop is small. The illustration shows a steel-clad solenoid with plunger and plunger stop. The relation of force versus distance with and without the stop is also shown. See also Electromagnet.
2006-09-30 23:08:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an iron rod inside a coil of copper wire that's not tight enough to keep it from moving freely. Run electricity through the wire and the iron rod will move. It will likely have a spring to pull the rod back when the electricity is turned off. They can be used for a lot of things, for instance if a valve is normally closed in a dishwasher, the solenoid can be activated to open the valve and let the water flow, and then it can turn the water off when the electricity is turned off. It's been a long time since I've had a dishwasher apart, so maybe that isn't too accurate, but the last time I looked inside a dishwasher I found two solenoids.
2006-09-30 23:21:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A solenoid is a loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core, which produces a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed through it. Solenoids are important because they can create controlled magnetic fields and can be used as electromagnets.
In physics, the term solenoid refers specifically to a magnet designed to produce a uniform magnetic field in a volume of space (where some experiment might be carried out).
In engineering, the term solenoid may also refer to a variety of transducer devices that convert energy into linear motion. The term is also often used to refer to a solenoid valve, which is an integrated device containing an electromechanical solenoid which actuates either a pneumatic or hydraulic valve, or a solenoid switch, which is a specific type of relay that internally uses an electromechanical solenoid to operate an electrical switch; for example, an automobile starter solenoid, or a linear solenoid, which is an electromechanical solenoid.
2006-09-30 23:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by sea_sher 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its a coil of wire with a piece of iron in it. When electricity is run through the coil, it generates a magnetic field and that draws the piece of iron into the coil. A spring is usually used to push the iron out of the coil when the electricity is turned off. They are used as simple actuators - flipping switches, valves, hitting things etc.
2006-09-30 23:14:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a solenoid is a coil of wire that acts as an electromagnet. in the centre of the coil is a piece of iron/steel that is allowed to move in and out of the coil when electricity is applied. the piece of iron/steel can be attached to a number of things to make them move. an old fashion ding dong door bell is a solenoid. push doorbell button(its a switch) electricity is applied to coil, coil acts as magnet, magnet pulls iron bar , iron bar hits bell, bell makes noise.
2006-09-30 23:14:26 · answer #6 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A solinoid is no more than a switch that is turned on and off using another or the same source of electricity.
2006-10-02 19:35:54 · answer #7 · answered by unpop5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a loop of wire
2006-10-01 00:47:20 · answer #8 · answered by nambu_fact 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's something that a car needs to work, but I don't know what for!
Sorry
2006-09-30 23:06:37 · answer #9 · answered by Eddy G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋