I would like to ask everyone about the redundancy issue of two-way three-port solenoid valves
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Recently, our factory has carried out solenoid valve redundancy upgrades on some critical valves. The aforementioned solution is planned to be adopted; in this solution, the circuit is connected when the solenoid valve loses power and disconnected when it gains power, and the valve will operate as long as either solenoid valve 1 or solenoid valve 2 is powered. It ensures the proper operation of the valve in case of faults with the card or the circuit. But I have a question: in daily production, the failures of solenoid valves on site are complex; for example, after a power loss, the spring does not return to its original position, which results in 12 remaining connected. Then this solution cannot guarantee the redundancy of the solenoid valve under such conditions. I was wondering if anyone knows of a solution in which, regardless of the state of one solenoid valve, as long as the other one is functioning properly, the valve will still operate correctly?
It’s not that complicated; no need for a three-way valve – just a straight-through valve will do. When power is lost on the bypass side, Valve 1 will open when powered on. How about that?
Your question is: When solenoid valve 1 loses power, it should disconnect from 1 to 2； 3→2 pathway. But if solenoid valve 1 loses power, for various reasons, the connection 1→2 remains open while 3→2 is closed, resulting in the inability to achieve the redundant function? The second person’s question is whether there is a control method such that as long as one solenoid valve is functioning properly, the other valve will still work correctly regardless of anything. First question: Suppose the power failure lasts for 12 hours without it being disconnected, so what then? The valve still functions properly. Second, the redundant connection is designed so that as long as one solenoid valve works correctly, the valve will function properly regardless of what happens to the other one.
It’s done just as you’ve drawn it; our valves here are basically all configured in this way.
You need to be aware that what you need to control is a single-acting actuator, and it’s important to determine whether the solenoid valve should open or close when activated. With the current parallel configuration, as long as one of the solenoid valves functions properly, the process you have set out can be carried out. However, if you want to address the issue of malfunctioning after activation, then you need to add additional components to the actuator to ensure that no air enters it once power is cut off.