Title: FEA based analysis of solenoid in automotive application with model development

Authors: M. Nataraj, R.B. Thomas

Addresses: Department of Engineering Design, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore – 641 013, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Department of Engineering Design, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore – 641 013, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Designing of solenoid for fuel tank applications has been the focus of the research study in recent days. Non-linear magnetic field density (B), magnetic field intensity (H) and relative permeability (μ) have serious effects on the response time of the solenoid for improving the dynamic characteristics. The major design factors, dimensions and characteristics of the material are the concern for solenoid designers. The behaviour of an automotive solenoid under a perturbative magnetic field has to be evaluated for the purpose of maintaining the fuel supply to achieve an extremely quick operation time of one millisecond, which is more than 20 times faster than the conventional valve. A novel method to get hold of an optimal design to build up an automotive solenoid for improving the driving performance of automobiles is presented in this paper. The optimum combination of performance variables of the material, coil turns and voltage was established using finite element analysis for specific plunger force. The performance improvement of the solenoid is validated by the sponsoring industry. Finally a regression model describing specific plunger force is developed using FEM based verification.

Keywords: automotive solenoids; structural integrity; FEA; magnetic field density; magnetic field intensity; relative permeability; finite element analysis; automobile industry; fuel tanks; optimal design; solenoid design; specific plunger force.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2009.029336

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2009 Vol.3 No.4, pp.269 - 293

Published online: 22 Nov 2009 *

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