Air controlled solenoid valve

[Ikillee]

We have this solenoid valve that is controlled by air rather than electricity. Its kind of hard to explain. It looks exactly like a normal double acting solenoid valve except it has two more holes for the air to control the valve.

The reason we decided to use a air controlled valve rather than an electrically controlled one was because the airflow was very restricted with our original solenoids. The problem is the air controlled valve is huge. It has output holes at 3/8" diameter. We're not sure if this is legal.

Below I've attached a picture of the box it came in. One of the teachers took it with him to find connectors for it. Any suggestion as to whether this is legal or not is appreciated.

[CENTURION]

This is not a solenoid valve at all.

Solenoid valves are controlled by a solenoid, which is basically an electromagnet. This allows them to be activated electrically.

What you have there is an air-op valve. It, as you said, is controlled by a change in air pressure.

As far as I know, air-op valves are not legal for FRC use. I could be wrong on that though.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Ikillee

We have this solenoid valve that is controlled by air rather than electricity. Its kind of hard to explain. It looks exactly like a normal double acting solenoid valve except it has two more holes for the air to control the valve.

The reason we decided to use a air controlled valve rather than an electrically controlled one was because the airflow was very restricted with our original solenoids. The problem is the air controlled valve is huge. It has output holes at 3/8" diameter. We're not sure if this is legal.

Below I've attached a picture of the box it came in. One of the teachers took it with him to find connectors for it. Any suggestion as to whether this is legal or not is appreciated.

Attachment 16634

Originally Posted by "FRC rules R77

R77

The only pneumatic system items permitted on 2014 FRC ROBOTS include the items listed below.
A. Items available in the 2014 KOP,
B. Pneumatic pressure vent plug valves functionally equivalent to those provided in the KOP,
C. Solenoid valves with a maximum 1/8 in. NPT port diameter,
D. Solenoid valves that are rated for a maximum working pressure that is less than 125 psi rating mandated above are permitted, however if employed, an additional pressure relief valve must be added to the low pressure side of the main regulator. The additional relief valve must be set to a lower pressure than the maximum pressure rating for the solenoid valve,
E. Additional pneumatic tubing, with a maximum 0.160 in. inside diameter, functionally equivalent to that provided in the KOP,
F. Pressure transducers, pressure gauges, flow control valves, and connecting fittings,
G. Pressure regulators with a maximum outlet pressure of no more than 60 psi,
H. Pneumatic cylinders,
I. Pneumatic storage tanks, and
J. Compressors compliant with R79.

Above emphasis mine.

Pneumatically controlled valves are not legal on FRC robots, nor are valves with greater than 1/8" NPT ports.

[goofy173]

I think the regular Pesto FRC approved solenoids are good enough. They are actually electric and air actuated.

There is an electric solenoid that allows air to a pneumatic plunger which then switches the ports. That's why you have to have air to those solenoids for them to switch.

They can also be a little complex to open up and clean as I did with 3 of ours. I was also a little interested in the insides anyway.

[Ikillee]

Can we bypass using solenoids by using a servo to release the air into the solenoids.

[FrankJ]

Originally Posted by Ikillee

Can we bypass using solenoids by using a servo to release the air into the solenoids.

Basically. No. Valves you can use are limited. Q&A has essentially said you cannot use a servo to turn a valve. In other years, they had a different answer.