Valves for Instrumentation

Three-Way Solenoid Valves designed for Laboratory Instruments, Monitors, and Welding

Three-way solenoid valves, with their ability to control fluid or gas flow across three distinct paths, are indispensable components in laboratory technology, monitoring devices, and welding operations. 

Three-way solenoid valves have three ports and two orifices. Depending on the configuration, three-way solenoid valves can be 'normally closed,' 'normally open,' or 'universal.' In normally closed valves, two ports are closed in the de-energized state, while in the normally open configuration, two ports are open when the coil is not powered. Universal valves, on the other hand, can be connected in various ways offering great flexibility.

Laboratory Instruments
In laboratory settings, precision, repeatability, and accuracy are paramount. Three-way solenoid valves help achieve these goals by providing reliable and consistent fluid or gas control.
For example, in gas chromatography, a popular analytical method used to separate and analyze compounds, three-way solenoid valves are employed to control the carrier gas flow. These valves enable the selective isolation and passage of the gas, ensuring accurate readings and results.  Liquid handling systems used in biochemical analysis or automated sample preparation also utilize these valves. The three-way solenoid valves regulate the liquid flow, allowing precise quantities to be pipetted, mixed, or dispensed, enhancing accuracy and reproducibility.

Monitoring Equipment
Monitors, especially those related to environmental and process monitoring, rely heavily on three-way solenoid valves. In gas detection systems, for instance, these valves alternate between sampling air from the environment and a known 'zero' air source, helping calibrate the detector and maintain its accuracy over time.
Similarly, in industrial process monitoring, these valves help control and alternate fluid flows, ensuring the process parameters are maintained within the desired range, enhancing efficiency and safety.

Welding
Welding processes, particularly Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), use shielding gases to protect the molten weld from atmospheric contaminants. Three-way solenoid valves play a crucial role in controlling the delivery of these gases.
In welding equipment, the valve allows for the precise regulation of gas flow, ensuring optimal conditions for creating a strong, clean weld. It can alternate between the welding gas and an air purge for cooling or cleaning the system, thereby increasing the efficiency and lifespan of the welding equipment.

Robotic welding systems incorporate three-way solenoid valves enabling the rapid switching of gas flow, coinciding with the start and end of the weld, thus minimizing gas wastage.

From facilitating precise analytical processes in laboratories to ensuring optimal conditions in welding operations, three-way solenoid valves exhibit a wide range of applications across diverse industries. Their ability to control complex flow paths reliably and accurately makes them an essential component in various equipment and processes. 

Designing a new instrument? Contact the Pros at Solenoid Solutions to build your new valve.