Colenoid Actuators - Further Developments in Extremely Fast Acting Solenoids

SAE paper 790119 on “Helenoid Actuators” introduced a novel solenoid construction giving high armature accelerations. Another design has been conceived which operates at least as fast as the Helenoid actuators and is named the “Colenoid” actuator because of its conical armature shape.

The paper will compare this innovation with conventional solenoids and the difference in its characteristics with the Helenoid actuator concept. The Colenoid and Helenoid armatures are capable of travel times of less than one millisecond irrespective of preload or masses. Which type of actuator for a given application will be reviewed.