HOW TO SELECT A PNEUMATIC SOLENOID VALVE

FOR A SINGLE ACTING CYLINDER?

Summary
A single acting pneumatic cylinder is a linear actuator and realizes a working stroke by filling the
cylinder with compressed air. The return stroke is usually accomplished by a spring. The cylinder
has one connection port that is used either to fill or vent the cylinder. To control the cylinder, a 3/2-
way valve is used. 3/2-way means three ports and two positions: one port connects to the source of
compressed air, one port is required as exhaust and the third port connects to the cylinder. The
valve has two positions: filling or venting the cylinder. The required valve size can be calculated
once the cylinder and application properties are known.
PNEUMATIC SOLENOID VALVES ONLINE SELECTION

Basic principle of single acting cylinders

A pneumatic cylinder is a linear actuator that works with compressed air. The cylinder’s main parts
are the piston, the piston rod, the cylinder tube, gaskets and seals. Single acting cylinders also have
a spring inside the cylinder. A single acting cylinder works with compressed air to actuate the piston
in one direction and spring force to return to the base position. Work can be performed in the air
driven direction. The cylinder has one port that is used to both supply and vent compressed air.

Two types of single acting cylinders exist: spring return and spring extended. The most common
type is the spring return cylinder. In the spring return cylinder, the spring is located between the front
end of the cylinder and the piston (around the piston rod). In this design, the piston rod extends
when compressed air is supplied to the cylinder. As soon as the air supply is cut off, the piston rod
retracts by spring force. The spring extended cylinder works the other way around. The piston
retracts when compressed air is supplied. When the air supply is switched off, the spring pushes the
rod out. In the spring extended cylinders, the spring is located between the piston and the rear end
of the cylinder.

Symbols of pneumatic cylinders according to ISO1219-1; External force return (left), spring return
(middle) and spring extend (right)

There are some advantages to use single acting cylinders over double acting cylinders: less tubing,
less use of compressed air, and less wiring is needed for the system. Single acting cylinders also
 have disadvantages: the spring takes up space and limits the working stroke of the cylinder.
Furthermore, the spring force reduced the pneumatic force and limits the resulting force of the
cylinder.

Schematical section view of a spring extend (top) and spring return (bottom) single acting pneumatic
cylinder.

The single acting cylinders can be specified by the following key parameters:

• Stroke
• Bore size
• Rod diameter
• Spring force
• System pressure

The stroke is the distance between the end and the base position (length of the movement). The
bore size is the diameter of the piston. To choose the right cylinder, please follow the sizing method
of the cylinder’s manufacturer. The single-acting cylinder is normally controlled by a three-port valve,
for example a pneumatic solenoid valve. One port connects to the source of compressed air, the
second port is used to supply/vent air to the cylinder and the third port is an exhaust port.

Basic principle of pneumatic solenoid valves

Operating principle

Pneumatic solenoid valves are used to control the flow direction of compressed air. A moving part
inside the valve blocks or opens the ports of the valve. The moving part is called spool or piston. The
movement of the spool can be controlled in two ways: direct operation, or indirect operation.

Placeholder for valve picture sg. like this:

 With direct operation, the spool is directly actuated by the solenoid. Direct operated valves are
independent on the system pressure, and can therefore be used for low pressures or vacuum.

In case of indirect operation, the spool is not directly actuated by the solenoid. The valve makes use
of the system pressure to move the spool. Hereto, an additional pilot valve is used. The pilot valve is
a small direct actuated 3/2 way valve. The pilot valve provides compressed air to a small air cylinder
inside the valve. The compressed air in this cylinder exerts a force on the piston and actuates the
spool to switch the valve.. This way, a relatively small solenoid can be used to switch the valve.
These valves are referred to as internally piloted, and require an inlet pressure to switch. Therefore,
these valves cannot be used for vacuum applications, unless the pilot valve is operated with an
external source of compressed air (externally piloted).

Pneumatic Solenoid Valve Types

Several type of pneumatic solenoid valve is available. The valve function is always depends on the
application. The most common valve functions in pneumatic systems are the followings:

• 5/2 mono-stable
• 5/2 bi-stable
• 5/3 closed center
• 5/3 exhaust center
• 5/3 pressure center
• 3/2 bi-stable
• 3/2 normally open (NO)
• 3/2 normally closed (NC)
• 2/2 normally open (NO)
• 2/2 normally closed (NC)

Symbols for 3/2-way solenoid valves; Normally Open & mono-stable (left), Normally Closed & mono-
stable (center) and Normally Closed & bi-stable (right).

The 3/2 way valve can be Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed (NC). A Normally open (valve
lets the air flow from port 1 to port 2, when it is not actuated. If the solenoid is energized, the valve
switches and the air is vented from port 2 to port 3. A normally closed valve works the opposite way.
When the solenoid is de-energized, the air is vented from port 2 to port 3. As soon as the solenoid is
energized, the valve switches and compressed air can flow from port 1 to 2. Normally closed valves
are the most common. NO/NC valves also exist, these valves can be used both ways (NO/NC).

The 3/2-way solenoid valves can be mono- or bi-stable. Mono-stable valves are often spring return
and work like a doorbell: they remain switched/actuated while the solenoid energized. The bi-stable
version often has two solenoids and works like a light switch; it is switched with a pulse of one
solenoid, and switched back with a pulse of the other solenoid.

Symbolic representation of a spring return cylinder that is controlled by a mono-stable NC 3/2-way

solenoid valve. In the rest state of the solenoid valve (left), the cylinder retracts by spring force and
the air can escape through the exhaust. In the energized state of the valve (right), the cylinder is
filled with air and extends.

To control a single acting cylinder, a 3/2 valve is used. The 3/2 valve has three ports and two
positions. The ports are IN (1 or P), OUT (2 or A) and EXHAUST (3 or R). The valve has two
positions: one to pressurize the cylinder (air flows from port 1 to 2, port 3 is closed), and the other to
vent air from the cylinder to the exhaust (air flows from port 2 to 3, port 1 is closed). Various fittings
can be used to connect to the IN and OUT ports. A muffler can be installed in the exhaust port to
reduce the acoustic noise. The valve’s footprint (mounting holes) is specified by the manufacturer or
standards, like NAMUR or ISO standard. The valves also can be mounted on base or manifold.