A fire systems manufacturer needed a solution to replace a pyrotechnic device used to open a Shrader valve on a cylinder of compressed extinguishing medium. The application required a solution with a fast response and a high latching force to replace the pyrotechnic device in use with the system.
It was determined that a latching solenoid with an optional manual valve actuator was the best solution for the application. The actuator was held in the latched position without power until a signal from the control panel cancelled the permanent magnet. When released the latching solenoid opened the cylinder valve allowing the extinguishing medium to discharge from the cylinder into the system. The fast response time allowed the media from the compressed gas cylinder to open larger valves to other cylinders or ports to directly act on suppression of the event. The latching solenoid was also designed with an emergency release button to manually force the pin to depress the cylinder valve if needed. In order to reset the system, the solenoid was manually returned to the latched position.
The solenoid designed by TLX provided a better solution than the original pyrotechnic device used. The new solution worked at a lower current, had a higher latching force and was operated on smaller capacitors. TLX was able to offer the manufacturer a product that was lower in cost than their original offshore supplier.
This custom latching solenoid designed specifically for fire protection systems is UL approved and tested in accordance with UL508. Based on the cylinder or valve being acted upon, strokes, latching force and port size/locations can be modified and/or adjusted as needed.